Meant To Be (Coming Home To The Grove 2)

He looks around the room at a few of the people sitting around enjoying their afternoon treats. “Uh, no, that’s okay. I’m looking forward to our date tonight.”

“Me too,” I tell him, and even though he doesn’t label it, I know he’s talking about our fake date. “I think I found a great catch for you. She works at the hair salon off of Bruce Street. Anyway, she’s pretty. Really smart. She cut my hair on my lunch break today.”

“Your hair looks pretty.”

I wait for him to continue, to maybe ask me about the woman. Maybe her name, anything. But he doesn’t. He must be really upset about the problem with the officer.

My hand goes to my hair. “Thank you.” I go over and pour my special hot chocolate recipe into a big cup and hand it to him. “So what time are you picking me up tonight? Oh wait, or I can meet you there if you’d rather.”

“I’m picking you up, Carrie,” he says, almost sounding frustrated. “I’ll be there at six.”

He tips the cup back and takes a sip of the chocolatey goodness. His eyes flash to mine and instantly he smiles, taking another big sip. I feel pride knowing I’m the woman that put that smile of satisfaction on his face.15CarrieWith all the nagging and meddling my mom can do, I’m shocked when I get home to get ready for my date and she gives me a dress for the dance.

“I saw this and knew it would be perfect for you. The poufy skirt will hide everything you want to hide. It’s perfect.”

I’d planned on wearing the dress I’d worn to my cousin’s wedding last year, so having something new and fancy gets me excited. And surprisingly, the blue A-line dress fits me to a T, and is very flattering.

“You are beyond lovely, honey,” my dad tells me before he hugs me tight.

“Thanks, Dad. And thank you, Mom, for the dress. I love it,” I tell her, still in awe that she bought it for me.

I’m excited to go, confident even. That is until my mom pushes on my stomach and tells me to double up on a girdle.

“Suzy!” my dad gasps just as the doorbell rings.

Thank goodness, saved by the bell. Nothing is going to get me down tonight. Even my mom’s cruel words.

My dad opens the door, and he and Scott shake hands. Not wanting to be left with my mom, I walk around my dad and try not to let my mouth fall open.

Scott is devastatingly handsome in his dress blues. His formal uniform makes me feel like I’m being picked up by my own personal hero. I start to feel warm all over, and I’m hoping I don’t start stuttering or worse, trip in my heels.

“You look beautiful, Carrie.”

“You look handsome.” We both say it at the same time and then laugh. Already, I feel so relaxed with him.

I hold on to the arm he’s holding out for me.

“Ready to dance?” he asks.

Just with our arms looped together almost makes me feel lightheaded. “I’m ready.”

Have fun tonight, Carrie, and try to remember this is a fake date.ScottCarrie is breathtaking. She’s so beautiful a part of me doesn’t want to take her to the ball where I know some of the other officers are going to be there. They’ve been warned, but the way she looks right now, I can’t really blame them if they choose to ignore my words. However, I also know I’m not going to just stand by either.

I’m so proud to have her on my arm for the evening. She has her long blond hair down and in curls down her back. The blue of her dress brings out the blue in her eyes. And I have to say, she fits perfectly at my side.

I pull at the tie around my neck and feel my heart racing in my chest. I know it has nothing to do with my tight tie and everything to do with the woman on my arm.

“I’m so glad we’re going to this dance together,” I tell her, wanting her to know that I wanted us to go out together. Somehow I need to let her see that this isn’t a fake date. At least not for me.

“Me too,” she says nervously. Once we’ve driven across town and enter the ballroom, which is actually the banquet hall in the basement of the Forest Grove Church, I feel that all eyes are on us. Even walking in, I feel like I can’t take my eyes off Carrie. Or maybe I can, I just don’t want to.

I lead her to a table and then go off to get her some punch. When I get back, I sit at the chair next to her and scoot in closer.

She thanks me for the drink and is looking around the room. Immediately, she starts pointing out different female prospects for me. She shakes her head. “I don’t see Elaine.”