MANifesting

Me: OK. See you then.

I felt like I should ask more questions, like where we were going, but I didn’t want to seem fussy.

Thursday night was spent tearing my closet apart looking for something flirty and feminine, but comfortable enough that I would be ready for anything.

By ten to seven Friday night, I had my makeup perfect, my hair styled, and was wearing a great dark purple dress that fell a bit past my knees and showed off just enough cleavage to be enticing. I hoped that with cute black boots, it made me look like the slightly more outgoing version of myself.

The second I heard a knock at the front door, I grabbed my purse and ran downstairs to see Kellan’s eyes fly wide open. “Damn, gorgeous,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around my waist instantly. “You are unbelievable.”

“Hi,” I said, stretching up to meet his lips.

The second we began to kiss, my entire body felt weightless. My long- dormant libido was definitely waking up, and the urge to drag him to my bedroom was nearly overwhelming.

“We better hurry and get to the restaurant,” he said, gliding his lips just under my ear. “You’re so pretty that I want to take you upstairs instead.”

&nbs

p; “Maybe later,” I whispered, shocking myself. Kellan just flashed me a wink, then took my hand as he led me to his rather lovely silver car.

I’d been on a few casual dates, but this one seemed far more – important, somehow. Kellan drove us to a beautiful restaurant that was just fancy enough, and was absolutely perfect for a date.

The food and wine were incredible, but I knew that I wouldn’t even remember what we had when I wrote in my journal tomorrow. All I could focus on was the way Kellan stared at me as if I were some sort of prize that he’d won.

It was bizarre being the focus of his attention, but I absolutely loved that he sweetly listened to every word I said.

Our conversation veered wildly from astronomy, to the local zoo, to the funniest customers we’ve dealt with at bookstores and bars. He was fast to laugh, quick to compliment me, and had a fascinating conversational style.

I loved the way he smiled when I told him I was half Greek. He instantly informed me that the souvlaki here was the only thing on the menu that was mediocre, so I shouldn’t try it. His light humor put me at ease, allowing me to chat more freely than I ever had with a man.

My muscles that had been so relaxed all began to tighten when we split dessert, and he slid his chair closer to press his thigh against mine. That twitching spark every time he touched me was growing hotter. As he looked deeply into my eyes while swiping a bit of chocolate from my lip with his thumb, I realized that he was absolutely the one, and tonight was absolutely the night.

CHAPTER EIGHT

* Kellan *

Allie’s eyes shone under the street lights as I led her out of the restaurant. “Where are we going now?” she asked brightly.

I loved that she seemed up for absolutely anything. “Would you like to help me with work for half an hour?”

She laughed lightly. “Testing new cocktails or something?”

We got into the car, and I started driving before telling her where we were going. “We’re going on a secret reconnaissance mission,” I said.

She turned to me with her eyebrow raised, waiting for me to explain.

“There’s a band that plays Friday nights at Allen’s Alehouse. According to Roger, one of my managers, they would be perfect to play Saturday nights at Duke’s Bar and Grill.”

As I turned a corner, I saw Allie nodding. “Are we going to check out their music, or the crowd they bring in?” she asked.

I laughed out loud. “Both. Sharp of you for picking that up.”

After finding a parking spot almost right in front, I raced around the car to open Allie’s door. Leading her into the quaint pub, I realized I hadn’t been seen with a girl on my arm for ages.

“Drink?” I asked. She shook her head.

We found a table in the back corner. Allie’s gentle smile and the slight nod of her head in time with the drums told me that she was already enjoying the band.

Surveying the crowd, I asked her, “What sort of people do they seem like to you?”