Previously Released, Preview, Peek, Enjoy

Teresa Arrowood
Jan 15, 2019
9 min read

Remember Things Never go as Planned

“I can’t believe you talked me into this.” She had said to her friend. The clouds opened up in a downpour. What a day for her to dress in semi-formal attire and heels. Her so-called friends had pushed her into this date, and she had hated the idea. She had had enough of relationships. Being married twice assured her that nothing ever goes as planned.

Driving down Main Street, she pushed her hair out of her face and talked to her best friend through her hands-free as she drove to the downtown restaurant. “You need this. You’ve been out of commission far too long. Trust me, he’s a good man.”

She grinned to herself sarcastically, “You do realize that you’re giving me the code that he is a total geek and a total bore?” Between her best friend and her family, they had been trying to set her up for the last year. They had finally talked her into a blind date. She would have much rather been home wrapped in her pajama’s drowning in an excellent book.

“Ah, really? Do you want to miss out on meeting a great guy because of how I described him? Come on, it’s time you got out of those scrubs and ratty pajamas and met someone. You spend way too much time in a depressing, high-stress job then go home and sink yourself into some fantasy romance book. Go out and enjoy the real thing for once in your life. Live a little, you have nothing to lose.”

The windshield wipers slapped against the window as streetlamps flickered gold streaks against her fair skin. Her uneasiness increased with every mile as she drove. She sighed, as she knew Claire was right. She hadn’t been out socially for so long people were starting to think that she had become a hermit.

“Okay, so how do I know who he is? It isn’t every day someone walks into an establishment and asks if their date is there?”

Claire’s giggles were light, and she knew exactly what she was thinking. There goes Sara overthinking again as usual. “He’ll know you, I promise, besides, you’ll recognize him. He’ll be the handsome man sitting at the table without a date by the fireplace. He told me he would be dressed in a dark suit. I’m sure the Maître D will know where he’s seated. Relax, it’s going to be fun. You worry way too much.”

Pulling into the restaurant parking lot, her heart started to flip and flutter as she tried to gain a little decorum. “How did I let her talk me into this?” She wasn’t ready, not by a long shot. She was content, home, alone, watching TV until she sank into oblivion. Her routine was set, and she hadn’t minded. She got up every morning at five A.M. and poured her coffee, read the paper, and prepared herself for her day at the local hospital. She spent twelve plus hours, at least, three days a week, sometimes more if she wanted to be out of the house. She would finish her shift, come home, fix a microwave dinner, watch some movie on Netflix, take a shower, and go to bed. Being a creature of habit wasn’t so bad. It had been her routine for nearly three years. She saw nothing wrong with it. A lot of people had a routine they stuck by.

Stepping from the car, she held the umbrella above her to keep from being pelted by the heavy rain that now fell. By the time she got in the high-end restaurant, she would look like a drowned rat. She was sure it was exactly what he had envisioned for their first meeting. She wondered what Claire had told him and how she had conned him.

Pulling open the door, she folded the umbrella and left it at the door. Shaking off her raincoat, she looked for the Maître D. When she didn’t see him, she searched the room. Scanning the room, she looked toward the fireplace where a dark-haired man sat sipping his drink, not really paying much attention to his surroundings. His dark suit was tailored to his form. From what she could see, he looked as though he had stepped off the cover of a men’s fashion magazine.

Nonchalantly, he surveyed the room, sat his glass down, looked at his watch, and then peered down into his drink. Claire had picked someone who was favorable in the looks department, for the first time she could remember. She wondered if he was the whole package. It wasn’t going to be long before she found out. Taking a deep breath, she attempted to gain a little courage, waiting to be seated. When the Maître D didn’t return, she held to my clutch and headed toward him. Her heels clicked against the hardwood floor of Sweet Ann’s, as she approached her date. She hadn’t been here in at least six years, maybe longer. It was meant for dates, the beginnings of relationships that were meant for a lifetime and for lovers. The place had a romantic ambiance. The large, stone fireplaces and high ceilings were Victorian inspired. Most came here to have a lover’s getaway. Sweet Ann’s was a one-stop place, you could make reservations for their four star dining experience, but that wasn’t where it ended. If the patron chose to, they could make reservations for a one or two-night stay in their large suites that were a perfect hideaway. The rooms, she had heard, were made for royalty.

Butterflies consumed her with each step she took. This was ridiculous she was a grown woman. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t dated or that she hadn’t experienced intimacy. She had been happily married until… Well, no need to think of that right now. If she must go on this date to make Claire happy then she needed to give it her best shot.

Standing in front of the table, he rose from his seat. Oh, he already has me, she thought, respect, not to mention he was a Greek god. Holding out her hand, he took it quickly. “Hello, I’m sorry, I’m a little late. I’m Sara.“

He smirked and took her hand and guided her into the seat beside him. “Lovely to meet you, Sara.” Wow, that deep baritone voice. Okay, keep it cool, she thought to herself. Don’t fall too quick, it’s been a long time, you don’t know this guy.

“What can I get for your lady?” The waiter addressed him and he gave her a killer smile. “Bring the lady a…” he gestured to her to answer. “Oh, a ginger ale will be fine.”

“A ginger ale for the lady, and I would like a Manhattan, rocks, please.”

“Of, course.” The waiter bowed and stepped away, leaving them alone. He smiled and eyed her petite frame, which left her feeling uncomfortable. “So, Sara, tell me about yourself.”

“There’s not much to tell. I do pretty much what most people do. Get up, go to work, come home, have dinner, and go to bed. You know, wash, rinse, and repeat. Pretty boring.” The feelings of tension left her body as he chuckled.

“I bet you’re far from boring,” He said, as he took another long pull from his drink.

“Well, that’s debatable.”

The waiter set the drinks down and asked for their order. Neither of them had taken the time to look at the menu. Ordering something was the furthest thing from Sara’s mind.

Looking for her approval, he gestured to the waiter, “The lady will have the Beef Wellington with the roasted vegetables, and I will have the baked salmon with rice and we’ll both have the peach tart.”

“Excellent, sir.” The waiter made his way back toward the kitchen, leaving them again in their silence. Sara was never one to like the awkwardness of the quiet. She squirmed in her seat and twirled a strand of hair that had fallen from its place in her comb. She watched him as he sat cool as a cucumber. Not a hair out of place, not a twinge of anxiety. Confidence oozed from him. She had this seen once before, once, but only once in a person she knew very well. Nolan. He was always confident, self-assured, fearless, and she loved him with everything in her. As many years and silent moments she had spent in her thoughts of him, she felt drawn to this man. The feelings were overwhelming. It left her with mixed feelings, feelings of betrayal because she was there. To even think of another man. She guessed that’s was why her second marriage didn’t work out. Of course, he didn’t help things. He played on her vulnerability, and she had let him. He was in love with the idea of getting married, not with her. He liked the perks of having a wife at home, but not coming home to one when he could find someone else who was willing. She had made it clear her feelings for her first husband weren’t dead when he talked about getting married. She couldn’t lay all the blame on him, she had tried to put the past behind her. At least she had been faithful. She came home every night, worked every day, and they had talked about starting a family. When it was mentioned, it was more as if he talked and she listened. Three months into the marriage, she knew something was wrong. It was all too clear when she came home early one evening to find him with another woman in her bed.

Curling his hand around his glass, he swished the liquid around and sat it down once more. “What do you think of the place? Have you ever been here?” He was charming. She felt the wall she had built around her fall away slowly, brick by brick.

“I think it has a certain charm,” she answered shyly. Confidence in her medical practice was far different from her social practice. “Yes, I’ve been here before. It seems like a lifetime ago.”

“Ah, that explains it.“

He looked at her as if he could read every thought she had. “What is that supposed to mean?” She sounded defensive, which wasn’t what she had intended at all.

“Nothing, you just seem nervous.”

She managed a small smile as her gaze jumped from his face and down his body. She did feel uncomfortable, not really knowing how she should act. She wasn’t sure where to land her attention. He was very handsome and had a supremely built physique. Who was she fooling? “No... not at all.”

“Your body tells me something different.”

Obviously, she wasn’t leaving him in the dark. She felt her body heat as his stare fell on her. Looking down she tried to avert his continuing perusal.

“You’re tense, I can see it in your lovely face.” His voice was soft and commanding as he drew his finger along her cheek and down her jawline. “Your breathing has changed, and you have clasped your hands so tight that you’ve turned your knuckles white.” Hearing his observation of her, she released her hands and smoothed the napkin in her lap. Leaning in, his breath tickled her ear and charged her body in a way she hadn’t felt in years. “Your legs and knees are clenched.”

“They aren’t either,” she growled low.

“Of course they are, honey. If you were relaxed, the tablecloth would be more lax. It’s pulled tight from your knees holding onto it. Face it, you’re scared of being here with me. There’s one thing you need to know. I’m not out for a quick roll in the hay. Relax.”

Every nerve in her body reacted to him. Chills fell down her spine as her breath caught in her throat. She had hoped he would come closer, maybe even kiss her. There must be something wrong with me, she thought. God help me. I shouldn’t feel this way with a perfect stranger. A perfectly handsome stranger.

“I’m not going to kiss you, honey, not yet anyway.”

That statement left her with an odd disappointment that came close to anger. How could he do that, just let her believe… Oh, he’s good. It wouldn’t be the first time she fell for a man who could charm her.

A chime rang from her cell, taking her from what was one of the most embarrassing moments she had ever had. “I need to take this, I’m sorry.” He waved his hand in acknowledgement.

“Hello.”

“Sara, I’m sorry. I just got a call from Keith. He sends his apologies, he was detained and can’t meet you. I hope you aren’t too disappointed.”

“What? Claire, he’s sitting here in front of me. What are you talking about?”

She took her time answering, and the pause left an empty, uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Oh, girl, I don’t know who you’re with, but it isn’t Keith. I just hung up with him.”

She clasped her phone shut as she told her, “I’ll talk to you later.”

The waiter served the meal as she pushed her cell back into her clutch and rubbed down her throat nervously.

“What is it, honey? Something wrong?”

“You aren’t Keith.” She stuttered.

“No, I’m not,” he smiled.

“Then why did you let me sit down here with you? Why did you act as if I was supposed to be here with you?”

“One, who is Keith? Two, I like the idea of having company for supper, and since my date decided she didn’t want to grace me with her company, I felt you were the perfect answer to my issue.”

Clearing her throat, she rubbed her fingers across it as she tried to find the words to answer him. She felt sick. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I was supposed to meet a blind date,” picking up her clutch, she started to stand. He reached out, clasped her wrist, and motioned for her to sit.