Thirty-five and Single

“That’s too sexy for going on a date with a man I’m not going to be remotely interested in.”

“You never know,” she says, winking at me.

“I’ll pass.”

She shoves it at me. “Try it on. Besides, you’re going to see Joel after, right? Make him eat his heart out for sending you on this date.”

“I’m not sure I’ll be up to driving back to D.C. tonight.”

She gives me a doubtful look. “You’re going.”

On a groan, I take the dress. When I try it on, I’m pleasantly surprised. It has a squared scoop neck and a low-cut squared off back. The structured bodice with boning gives me a free boob job with the kind of lift push-up bras are made for. And the forgiving stretchy fabric makes my curves look like Victoria’s secrets had been about me.

I step out into the hall and run into Darren.

“Wow,” he says.

Amelia, following on his heels, says, “Mouth closed, buddy. That’s my sister you’re drooling over.”

“It’s not too much?” I say, more to Darren because he’s a guy.

He bewilderedly shakes his head.

“He can’t speak,” Amelia says. “I say that’s a winner. Don’t forget to bring it back. I’m going to have to wear it again so he pictures me and not you wearing it.” She teasingly shoves him forward. “Go check on our kids.”

He shakes himself like he’s been in a daze. “You look great,” he says to me with a brotherly smile before hustling to find his children.

“You look beautiful, Liv. Don’t let anyone else make you feel less than that.”

We hug, before she’s practically shoving me out the door.

I use my phone to guide me to the five-star restaurant in downtown Fredrick, Maryland, not too far from where I grew up. A nationally known chef owns it. I’ve never been there, but I hear getting a reservation takes some doing. That only makes me more curious about who made the reservations, mystery man or Joel.

The hostess stand is right inside the door. “Good evening. Do you have a reservation?” the woman in all black asks.

“Yes, it’s under Olivia Cole.”

She checks her screen, all smiles, and says, “Yes, your other party has arrived. Follow me.”

We pass a dining room filled with tables and guests on the left. As we get close to the kitchen, we veer off to the right to an elegant glassed off private dining room.

She opens the door to a table set for two.

Before the seated man clad in a suit jacket greets me, I already know.

“Here you are.” Before she walks away, the hostess says only to me, “You’re a lucky girl.”

She disappears and all the sound from outside closes off as the door does.

I can’t move and watch as he stands. Before he turns, he straightens his jacket. I’m too stunned to move. He doesn’t have that problem. When he reaches me, he takes my hand from where I’ve covered my mouth.

“Joel,” I say.

The tenderness in his expression breaks down any walls I created tonight.

“Don’t think too much,” he says before his eyes trail down over me. “Jesus, Olivia, you look amazing.”

Fire burns holes in my cheeks. “Thanks.”

I barely realize he’s taken my hand to guide me to my chair. I sit, still overcome with so many questions I can barely think.

“This,” I say, waving a hand. “I really believed you wanted to set me up with someone.”

“You’re overthinking this. You want to date, and I get that. But I also know I’m not going to let you go without a fight.”

“But, Joel—”

“Since the day you moved in, I’ve wanted you and I’ve done my best to just be your friend until you let me have you. I can’t just be your friend anymore.”

I open my mouth, but he silences me with a hand.

“First, I should tell you what I have to offer.”

Joel’s family is loaded, something I hadn’t known until that Saturday gathering.

“I don’t care about your money,” I blurt.

The corners of his mouth tip up in the beginnings of a devastating smile.

“I know.”

I bite my lip to stifle my own grin.

“You should know I’m a business owner, something I achieved without any help from my parents.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised. The way you talked about the place I figured it was more than a job.”

He’d never told me. He isn’t a boastful person. But based on our conversations, I’d assumed he at least managed the shop, if not more.

“It is. There’s something else you should know.” I wait, eager to hear what has him so excited. “With my lease coming up in the next few months, I’m looking at buying a place.”

I’m momentarily speechless but work at maintaining a smile.

“That sounds exciting,” I say, when it’s anything but.

My lease is up in a month and I’ve been excited to sign a renewal with the prospect of living near Joel.