See you at Drake’s? I typed back.
No, meet at the art museum at eight.
That was unusual. We hadn’t gone anywhere other than his apartment and the bar. And as far as I knew, the art museum closed at seven. Was Rex a secret artist? I doubted it, but shouldn’t put it passed him.
What are we doing there?
You’ll see.
Okay. I’ll be there.
I put my phone away and looked out at the park. I could feel the smile burst across my face, and it didn’t leave for the rest of the day.
––––––––
I rushed home after work and got changed. I put on a short dress, flats, and a light leather jacket. I washed my face then redid my makeup. I realized half way through getting ready how nervous I was. Going to the bar was hard, but at least I knew what to expect. Rex didn’t say what we were doing, which made it feel like a real date. Somehow sitting at Drake’s wasn’t the same as going somewhere public. I realized that I wanted to be seen with Rex. I wanted people to see his strong, tattooed arms wrapped around me. There was something exciting about being with Rex around other people. I was briefly worried that I really was slumming it with him, but I knew that my attraction for him wasn’t because he looked dangerous. I wanted to be seen with him because of how beautiful he was. I wanted to show him off.
I laughed to myself as I made my way toward the art museum. I imagined showing Rex off as if he were a trophy wife. I knew Rex was not the kind of man to enjoy something like that, and I almost felt bad about my silly fantasy. Fortunately, I lived just a few blocks south of the museum, and it was an easy walk. I wondered if Rex felt the same way about me. I was pretty, but not beautiful. I had a good figure, but I probably wasn’t the best dresser. I wasn’t talented, but I was funny. I wasn’t sure what I brought to our relationship, or what he liked about me, but he clearly saw something that I didn’t. I wanted to find out what that was. I felt braver when I was around him, more sure and confident. I felt like my best self.
As I got closer to the art museum, I didn’t see him. I walked passed the large brass fountain with the sculpture of a man riding a horse, and made my way toward the famous steps. It was one of my favorite parts of Philadelphia. The art museum was on a small hill at the end of the Parkway, which was a long, tree- and flag-lined road. Further north was Boathouse Row, and the long jogging path that wound along Kelly Drive. The river ran along all of that, and at night the boathouses lit up in gorgeous strings of white.
I crossed the street and started my long trek up the museum steps. I had always wanted to run up them ever since seeing Rocky, but I hadn’t gone for it yet. My pulse quickened as I pictured Rex, and my legs moved faster, until I was at a full on jog. I breached the top of the stairs, somewhat out of breath, and I jumped up and down in victory. Ahead, sitting on a small stone pedestal, was Rex. He grinned at me as I caught myself, smiling awkwardly.
“Hey there, tourist,” he called as he walked over. What a jerk.
I blushed, embarrassed. I was a tourist, but he didn’t have to catch me acting like one.
“Hey there yourself, creep. Were you hiding in the shadows?”
He grinned. “Just a dangerous, scary tattooed man lying in wait for an unsuspecting young lady.”
“Yeah, so scary. I almost swooned when I saw you.”
He laughed, grabbed me by the hips, and pulled me close.
“I am a scary man,” he said quietly. I looked up into his perfect face and didn’t feel the slightest bit of fear.
“I don’t see it,” I said back. He leaned down and kissed my mouth gently, his lips soft against mine, but his grip on my hips tightened. I ran my fingers through his hair as he kissed me. Finally, he pulled away, and I felt breathless all over again.
“Is that all you wanted to do?” I asked.
He grinned his devilish smile and shook his head. “No, if that’s all I wanted, you’d be at my apartment.”
I smacked his chest with my hand. “What are we doing here, then?”
He shrugged. “Since you’re new to the city, I wanted to show you one of my favorite spots.”
I looked around. I had to admit, I was a little surprised that Rex’s list of favorite spots included the art museum, but it was a very pretty area.