“You look beautiful, Erika.” I couldn’t help but stare at her. She looked magnificent. I was struggling to not take her upstairs into her apartment and have my way with her.
“Thank you, Mr. Ronald. You look pretty dapper yourself.” I smiled at her as she smiled at me.
“Please, call me, Conner.” I knew that she would indulge my request. As I began to drive us to CUT, almost fifteen minutes later, Erika asked to stop the car.
“What happened, Erika?” I was confused, and I really didn’t know what would come next. “Are you okay?”
“I forgot my purse. Can we please go back? I hope you don’t mind. I was so lost finding a nice dress to wear for my date.” Her face flushed red when she realized her words. I tried to hide my smile, and I wished I could kiss her red flushed cheeks.
Also, I was a little shocked, as I couldn’t remember the last time anyone even brought up the thought of paying for anything when I was around. Immediately, I realized it might all be a ruse. She might just be saying that just to impress me. “It’s alright. You won’t need it tonight.” I began to drive again.
Chapter 8
Erika
“I would prefer it if we could go back and get it. I don’t think it’s right for you to pay for everything.” I could tell that Conner was confused, and I was sure anyone had never said that to him before. I meant it, though.
He replied simply, “Erika, I asked you to dinner.” That was true, he did ask me out.
“You promise to let me take you out next time, then?” I asked as I looked toward him.
“So, there’s already a next time?” He smiled. He was being playful, but I was serious.
“I’m serious, Conner. Promise?”
He looked me dead in the eyes as he said, “I promise.” That one declaration alleviated all the guilt I was feeling.
Now, I could go back to enjoying a date with Conner Ronald. I noticed his ring even more now. It was slightly tarnished, as if it had been with him for quite some time.
“It’s my grandfather’s.” He caught me staring. I was already embarrassed.
“If you don’t mind me asking, why do you wear it?” I didn’t expect the reply, after all he was Brian’s brother, and Brian had never brought up his grandparents.
“I wear it because when I left for college my grandfather gave it to me and told me it was his lucky charm. I’m not superstitious, but I trust him.” I couldn’t help but fall for him even more. A man that can have anything, chooses to wear something too old. He really did love his family.
At this point, I was very curious about where Conner would take me. I couldn’t stop thinking of the kind of places he regulars. I was expecting him to take me to a fancy restaurant where I went with Brian a couple of times.
“You smell great, Erika.” I couldn’t find the words to reply, and I just smiled shyly.
I struggled to tell him that he too smelled magnificent. That subtle scent surrounded him, it was definitely spiced basil and sage. “You, too, Conner.” That’s all I could say. I felt like such a moron for lusting over him and not telling him how sexy he smelled, like a cold winter day, cool and somber.
I wanted to continue our conversation, and I was also curious whether he knew about the events that had transpired between Brian and me. I kept thinking of ways to approach the topic.
Should I ask him if he had any family, and then be surprised when he brought up Brian? Should I just tell him how his brother threatened me unless I reciprocated the feelings he had for me?
“So, Erika, what have you been up to these days?” he asked, but his focus was on driving.
I wanted to tell him about what happened with Brian and how the entire day had been a rollercoaster ever since. There was no reason not to tell him about it all. So, I decided to tell him everything.
“Well, Conner, I was going to the Maldives with Brian for my birthday. So, I spent the entire night working to make sure that I wouldn’t get overlooked for the promotion which I feel I am due. After which, I met my new boss, and, well now, I’m in his car going to dinner with him.” I looked at him playfully. The entire scenario was so comical. I mean, I hardly even knew this man, and now I was going to dinner with him. His expression was a bit reserved, though, as if he had something on his mind but didn’t want to get into it.
“So, how do you know Brian?” I genuinely felt the air getting thicker. What did Brian tell him about me?
“Well, we’ve known each other for a few months. I thought we were friends, and he wanted to go off to the Maldives for my birthday, but we didn’t end up going. Things are a bit shaky now.” I was trying to be as honest as possible without being offensive. Brian was his brother, and judging by the way he held his family so close to his heart, I didn’t want to say anything that might hurt him.
“Oh, alright. I’m sorry your trip didn’t work out. Happy Birthday, though.”
He had no idea how I had felt, how agitated and upset I was at what happened with Brian. But more importantly, he had no idea how his wish meant more to me than the plans for the trip did. The way he said it with so much kindness, I knew he genuinely wished me the best of birthday wishes. He didn’t have to say much, but his tone was so expressive. I had realized it already that Conner was a man of few words, but his mannerisms and his tone was so expressive; the way his eyes squinted when he smiled, and his lips tightened when he was lost in thought, it was like reading the most beautiful book.
Chapter 9
Conner
She didn’t mention why they didn’t go on their trip. I wondered what she was hiding. She didn’t seem like the kind of person who was greedy. And until now, she hadn’t said one word about Brian being a bad guy. She had also insisted on going back to get her wallet.
“Maybe she didn’t want to say anything because she knew it would offend me. Or, maybe Brian was wrong about her,” I thought, but I was not sure yet.
I kept thinking about how Brian could be wrong and do wrong things, but he was my brother, and I had to give him the benefit of the doubt. I thought just to focus on the dinner and hoped it was going to be a good one.
“We’re almost there.” As we turned over and reached outside of the restaurant, the valet opened both of our doors.
“Thanks,” Erika said in her sweet voice as the valet smiled, bowing to her.
We got out and proceeded to walk into the restaurant. I held the door for Erika, and I realized I forgot to tip the doorman. “Fuck.” I thought I had just thought it, but accidently, I said it out loud, embarrassed at what Erika would think.
I decided acting cool would be the best bet. “You look beautiful in this black dress.” I complimented her.
Alright, Conner, well played.
“Thank you.” She blushed because the restaurant staff had heard everything I said.
She just looked down at her stunning black heels. Her heels were not more than three inches high, yet she was tall enough to reach my neck. And if I stood close enough, I would have been able to feel her breath on my neck.
When we got inside, she was as surprised as I was when I noticed that there was only one table on the floor. I had asked Lisa to make a reservation, not buy out the restaurant for the night.