After All - Romancing Manhattan

Our pseudodate, that is.

Because it’s not real.

And I’d better remember that.

Fighting my way back into Manhattan takes a bit longer than normal thanks to the weather, but the fact that my parking space is open for me is a huge win these days. Not to mention, the elevator is fixed.

Hot damn.

Once in my apartment, I walk directly through my bedroom to the small walk-in closet and ponder my outfit choices.

I mostly have work clothes because, let’s face it, that’s usually where I am. My wardrobe consists of suits and yoga pants, with little in between.

Until this very moment, that wasn’t a problem.

“I have a little black dress,” I murmur, running my fingers over the material. “But it’s kind of cliché, isn’t it? This blue dress is pretty.”

I tap my chin. “But the weather is awful. I’ll freeze my tits off in the blue dress because I don’t have a jacket to match. I can wear almost anything with the black. Black it is.”

I choose a simple pair of black pumps and a red clutch to go with it, and then head for the shower.

I now have fifty-five minutes until Carter shows up. No time to waste.

When I’m buffed and polished, wearing the simple but classic outfit, and after I smooth on some red lipstick to match my clutch, the buzzer at the front door rings.

Perfect timing. I buzz him up and finish primping, then hurry to the front door.

I pull open the door, and there’s Carter, in a navy blue suit with a pale pink button-down, and a wool overcoat on to fight the cold. His eyes roam up and down my body, and when they reach mine, he offers me a full smile, showing off that crazy dimple in his left cheek.

“You’re beautiful.”

He’s supposed to say that. It’s a practice date.

“Thank you, kind sir.” I step back to usher him inside and am shocked when he pulls a bouquet of white roses from behind his back. “For me?”

“You’re the only date here,” he says and chuckles when I bury my nose in the blooms and take a deep breath.

“They’re gorgeous. Thank you. Give me two seconds to put these in water, and I’m ready to go.”

“No hurry,” he assures me and follows me to the kitchen. “Gabby told me all about helping you decorate this living room.”

“Well, you know we love us some Joanna Gaines. And I decided to give the place a farmhouse feel. Gabby was a big help.”

“She was so proud of it,” he agrees. “She showed me photos on her phone, but it doesn’t do it justice. Your home looks great.”

I smile, genuinely happy that he likes my place. I’ve worked hard to make it comfortable and stylish. Richard always hated it when I “wasted money” on pretty things for our home.

“Thanks.” I set the bouquet of flowers on the coffee table. “Ready when you are.”

“Let’s go then.”

He surprises me by taking my hand in his and leading me out of the apartment to the elevator. His hand is warm and strong. He rubs the pad of his thumb along the side of my hand and it sends goose bumps over my arms.

It’s probably better for my own sanity if we don’t spend all night touching, but I can’t seem to find the courage to pull away. Not because I’m afraid but because it feels so damn good.

“I hope you’re hungry,” Carter says as we begin our descent to the lobby.

“Superhungry, and hoping we get more than cookies this evening. My old lady stomach just can’t do that two days in a row.”

He laughs and shakes his head. “I was thinking steak.”

“I like the way you think.”

He hails a cab and we’re off, not having far to go to reach a nearby steakhouse. If it were summer, we could easily walk it.

Carter’s hand is on the small of my back as we follow the hostess to our table, situated in an intimate corner of the dimly lit restaurant.

Once we’re seated with drinks and our order placed, Carter sighs and holds my hand in his, pulling it up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, he’s laying this whole pretend date on thick.

If I were a real date, I’d be counting the minutes until date number two.

I don’t know what he was worried about.

“I can’t believe you had time to go home and change before picking me up,” I say, attempting to calm my damn pulse and pull it together.

“I brought a change of clothes with me,” he admits with a smile.

“You got something past me!”

“I know, I was shocked. You don’t see everything.”

“Hmm.” I usually do, but I’ve been distracted today. “Well, I like the blue suit. You look nice in it.”

“I’ll wear it every day, if it makes you happy.”