True Bliss (7 page)

I smile when I see a new message come in from nightdancer.

Nightdancer23: Hey, Firebird. How's your Sunday going?

Fireinthesky24: Hi. Sunday has been good to me so far. Just hanging around home with my best friend and her boyfriend. How about you?

Nightdancer23: Just boring stuff. It's my only day off, so I try to stay on top of things.

Fireinthesky24: How very responsible of you ;)

Nightdancer23: Ah yes, a responsible single male in Chicago. See, they do exist!

Fireinthesky24: They do indeed. A rare find, and a treasure to behold.

Nightdancer23: One might say you shouldn't waste time when you find such a rare gem.

Hot damn! This guy is the biggest flirt I've ever met! He makes Zander seem tame!

Fireinthesky24: Ah yeah, maybe ;) But one must proceed with caution to make sure the gem is genuine and not a replica.

Nightdancer23: Touche. Indeed.

Fireinthesky24: And how about you? Are you genuine or a replica?

Nightdancer23: I'm as genuine as they come. Tried and tested.

Fireinthesky24: *giggles* Don't think you should be telling women that you're well tried ;)

Nightdancer23: Probably not. Maybe I need to be put under your close scrutiny then.

Fireinthesky24: The testing process could be rigorous.

Nightdancer23: I think I'm *up* for the challenge.

Fireinthesky24: Maybe we should arrange a meeting so that this testing can begin.

Nightdancer23: I'd like to get to know you a bit better first. Is that ok?

In other words, back off, Kate! God, I'm an idiot.

Fireinthesky24: Of course. Yeah. Sounds good.

I feel rejected now. Why do I feel like this when I've only been chatting to this guy for a little while?

Nightdancer23: Well, I'd better get back to my laundry. There's a cute 70 year old here giving me the glad eye, so I might go try my luck. You never know ;)

Fireinthesky24: OMG, I just snorted my drink up my nose! You go, stud muffin. That is beyond a cougar, so you're setting your sights high.

Nightdancer23: I love a challenge. Talk again soon, I hope. Have a great day, Firebird.

I'm in trouble.

The dreamer in me is already pinning my hopes on this guy, and I don't even really know him. No photo, no real details in his profile, and I'm already building up an image of him. I can see him being tall and muscular. Not huge like a bodybuilder, but definitely someone who takes care of himself. Piercing eyes, strong jawline, and big hands that he knows what to do with.

Our messages and banter are so smooth, effortless even. I'm finding myself not wanting our conversations to end. And I'm not going to lie, when I saw him come online and message me, I got excited. He might just be interested in me. Even if it's just a little bit, that's a start, right?

Maybe this internet dating thing isn't going to be a write-off after all.

A new message snaps me out of my daydream.

Princeinwolfsclothing: Hey, Kate. You sound very suitable. Would you be interested in meeting for a drink this evening?

Oh shitballs! I usually like to talk a little before I jump into a first meeting, but he's just blown that plan right out of the water by asking me out.

I'm still deliberating what to do when Mac and Daniel walk into the living room, and going by the glow in Mac's cheeks that is not of the pregnancy variety, I'd say they shared the shower.

“What'cha doing?” Mac asks, plopping down on the couch beside me. “Ooh, look Superman, she's got another date.”

Daniel leans over the back of the couch between us, reading the message on the screen before frowning and standing up, running a hand through his hair.

“What is it?”

He looks down at me with concern. “Kate, do you really want to carry on with this internet thing? Take it from me, you're a catch and sooner or later someone is going see that and run with it. There are some real creeps on sites like that.”

“Oh, and I'm going to just walk onto the L and find my soul mate like you two? Do you know how many dates I've been on?”

Mac puts her hand on my arm. “Hon, he's just worried about you.”

I let out a big breath and slouch back into the soft cushions. “I know. But you guys always know where I am, and we'll just do the whole twenty minute check-in phone call thingy this time.”

“So you're gonna go out with this prince in wolf's clothing guy?” Daniel asks incredulously.

“Yeah, why not? It's not like I have any other plans tonight,” I say, shrugging my shoulders.

He growls low in his throat before he walks to the fridge and grabs himself a beer.

“What?” I ask, looking at Mac.

“It's okay, hon. As I said, he's just worried after the Roger fiasco.”

“I know,” I mutter under my breath as I type out a quick reply to Prince.

Fireinthesky24: Sounds great. Where and when?

I put the laptop down, making a mental note to check for his reply later. I spin around on the couch to face Daniel.

“I know you're just looking out for me, but this time we'll do it right. A twenty minute check-in phone call from Mac after I arrive, and if I say it's okay, you'll leave me to it. If I say it's not, you'll come save me. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” he says, smiling at me like a proud big brother. Although, in all honesty, if my real brothers knew about this they'd be shitting bricks.

I jump up off the couch and give him a side hug as I grab his beer and take a swig before handing it back to him. “And with that, I'm now off to make myself beautiful for my date,” I say, walking off down the hallway, leaving Superman with his mouth open and Mac giggling her tits off.

KATE

It's Saturday night, 8 p.m., and I'm standing outside Spirelli's, an Italian restaurant just a few blocks from my apartment. I'd heard of it before as this was where Daniel had brought Mac for a date and she had raved about the Tiramisu, describing it as being like a food orgasm waiting to happen, so I've been dying to try it out. Princeinwolfsclothing-aka Spencer-suggested we meet here for dinner and I couldn't come up with a reason not to.

All afternoon I've been psyching myself up for this date. It's only my second blind date as such since joining the dating website, so my nerves hit overdrive as the afternoon dwindled away. Mac tried to get me to relax, and the glass of wine she literally poured down my throat before I left definitely aided her efforts.

She also helped me choose the perfect dinner date outfit. I'm wearing a black pencil skirt with a sleeveless burgundy peplum top and black patent pumps. I'd styled my hair half up, half down, letting a few curls loose to frame my face. I was going for classy, but not over the top. Mac and I pretty much gutted my closet finding the perfect combination. Daniel said there was too much estrogen in the house, so he left us to go workout. To be honest, it was nice to have some one-on-one girl time with my bestie, despite my threatening panic attack.

As I stand on the sidewalk, I can't help but reflect on my past first dates. They've never really been anything to write home about. Nothing stands out as being epic or romantic comedy-esque. Then, of course, I wonder where nightdancer23 would take me for a first date. Would it be to a restaurant like this, or would it be something more fun? More low key? There's no point thinking about it since he all but brushed me off this afternoon.

I walk into the restaurant and up to the hostess station where a waitress is standing to greet me.

“Welcome, madam. My name is Holly, and I'll be your hostess this evening. Table for one?”

“Uh, no. I'm here to meet Spencer Carrington,” I say hoarsely, my voice giving away my nerves. 

She looks me up and down, then smiles at me. “Right this way,” she says before leading me to a table set for two in a far corner of the cute restaurant.

I look at her with uncertainty written all over my face when I realize that he's not here yet. I look around the restaurant nervously, still unable to find him. God, I hope I haven't been stood up!

The waitress puts her hand on my forearm, obviously realizing that I'm worried. “Oh hon, don't you worry. Mr. Carrington called about fifteen minutes ago and explained that he was running late, but asked that I seat you and pour you a glass of white wine. Is that okay?”

I sigh with relief. “Oh, thank god. Yes, that would be awesome. Thank you so much.”

“You're welcome. First date?”

“Uh, yeah. Am I that obvious?” I ask, feeling my cheeks heat up with embarrassment.

“Not at all. Mr. Carrington explained it was a first date and why he was calling in advance. He won't stand you up. He's a regular customer.”

Holy hell, what if he brings all of his dates here? What if I'm just one of a long line of conquests? Dammit. Is he a regular customer to the restaurant or a regular dater at the restaurant? Shit! I think I need to call Mac. A freak-out of epic proportions is imminent. 

I pull out my phone and speed dial Mac.

“Kate, you okay?” she answers, sounding worried.

“Um. So yeah. I talk, you listen?”

“Of course, hit me,” she says excitedly. I swear to God Mac lives for this shit, especially given that it's usually me on the receiving end of her freak-outs, not the other way around.

“I've arrived at the restaurant, and they've shown me to our table, but there is no Spencer. Apparently, he called the hostess and explained he was running late and asked that I be served. Is that thoughtful? Or is it crappy that he's late, and I'm being too soft and gullible again falling for this internet dating shit? Because seriously, I can't decide whether he's thoughtful and charming, or simply trying to cover his tardy ass. And then, Holly the hostess tells me that he's a regular customer here, and that is just ringing mega loud, epic, freaking alarm bells in my head for some reason. God! Why is this twisting me in knots so much?”

She giggles. The bitch. My bestest friend in the whole wide world giggles. “That was a good one, hon. Nothing on my Noah bathroom freak-out in June, but still, I'd give that an eight out of ten.”

“You're lucky I love you,” I say, a smile slowly creeping up my face. “So now that you've laughed at me, have you got any advice?”

“Kate, stop psychoanalyzing everything. He's probably a nice guy who just likes the food and goes there because they make the best Alfredo in Chicago.”

Yes, okay. She's right. I've got to stop over-thinking this shit.

“I suppose. Just seems strange.”

“I'm sure it'll be fine. If not, let me know, and Daniel and I can come get you. Say we're getting take-out or something. I never need an excuse for that Tiramisu.”

“I'll be fine. You have a good night. And don't stress about meeting Daniel's parents. It's not good for the mini superhero...or heroine.”

“Easy for you to say, missy. You're not the one who got knocked up by their gorgeous, talented, superhero.” I hear Daniel chuckle in the background.

“Okay, that's enough. You'll be fine, and I know they'll love you. I'm gonna go. I love you, you crazy pregnant woman.”

“Love you too. Bye,” she replies before hanging up.

Shortly after making myself comfortable and pulling out my compact to check my makeup one last time, Holly arrives with my wine.

“Mr. Carrington requested this Chardonnay from the Campania region of Italy be brought to you once you arrived. I hope it is to your satisfaction.”

“Wow, thanks,” I reply, totally out of my element here. How thoughtful is this man? I mean, who thinks to order their date a glass of wine and make sure they're seated and comfortable when they're running late?

She places the bottle on the table and leans toward me. “Relax, hon. He'll be here soon.” I see a strange expression cross over her face before she hides it and gives me her well-practiced smile again.

“Thanks, I think.”

“You're welcome,” she answers cheerfully before bouncing her way back to the entrance.

I pull out my phone, checking for a message from Mr. Carrington, and coming up empty. I look up to see Spencer walking toward me, and he honestly takes my breath away. God, he's even more stunning in real life. That profile photo did not do him justice. His dark brown hair looks like he's been running his hands through it, but he pulls it off. His ice-blue eyes are more potent than on his profile. They're the type of eyes one could get lost in, and ones that I'm already totally addicted to. And his body...let me tell you, if he's a frequent dater, then I now know why. He's wearing dark grey slacks with a light blue shirt, both clearly tailored just for his body. Broad shoulders and strong arms that would feel great wrapped around you. They're the type of arms that would make any woman feel safe and protected. In short, he's totally dreamy. In fact, with hair and eyes like that, he's almost like the McDreamy of Chicago.