I’ve always gotten along well with Stuart and I find it relaxing to know I can be myself around him. Well, as much as I can be around anyone who isn’t Corvin. He’s the only one that gets to see all of me, for now that is. Once I meet ‘the one’, he’ll get to see those parts of me, too. Stuart is kind and funny, and I think he could be Mr. Right if I give him the chance, but it’s way too soon to tell.
The evening passes quickly with great food and engaging discussion, and I find myself disappointed when it’s over. I wouldn’t have gone out with Stuart under normal circumstances, but I’ll admit I enjoyed our time together and I hope we can do it again soon.
Stuart insists on paying for the meal and walking me to my car like a true gentleman. The night is crisp and cool, causing me to shiver at the slight breeze in the air. Stuart seizes the opportunity to wrap his arm around me as we make our way to my unimpressive silver sedan.
I take my keys from my pocket and pull from his embrace, turning to thank him for such a wonderful evening. “I had a nice time tonight.”
“Nice enough to want to do it again next Friday?” he asks with a smile, flashing those delectable dimples of his at me.
Part of me wants to say no. The same part that would never have accepted a date from him in the first place. But maybe that part of me has been wrong all this time. Saying ‘no’ and following my own rules of moral merit has only led to me being alone. Maybe it’s time to take a chance like Stuart said.
“Yes. I’d really like that.”
“Great. I can’t wait.” Stuart leans in and I have a momentary flash of panic that he’ll think because I said yes to another date it means he can take advantage of me, but he only presses a quick kiss to my cheek before backing away. I wouldn’t have minded a kiss, but I like to take things slower than most people. “I’ll see you in the office on Monday.”
He waits until I’m inside my car with the doors locked before he heads off to his own vehicle. I’m giddy and a little buzzed from the wine at dinner. I can’t wait to get home and tell Corvin everything about my date.
Chapter Four
Corvin
I scroll through the movies on the TV screen, not really paying attention. My mind is on Tate and wondering how his blind date is going. He’s been gone for a while now, much longer than any of his dates have lasted in the months since his stalker came into the picture. I can’t decide if I’m happy or not that it seems he’s found a date worth staying out late for.
When I hear the key in the front door, I quickly click on a movie, fast forward a bit, and pretend that I’ve been watching it. I cringe when I realize I’ve put on a romantic comedy. I hate these cheesy romances, though I will watch them with Tate on occasion. His love for them makes enduring them bearable.
Tate walks into the room, tosses his jacket on the back of the couch, and flops down beside me. I pause the movie and turn to look at him. He has a dreamy smile on his face, and I decide I’m not happy at all that his date appears to have gone so well. In fact, I’m thinking that I should have taken my shot long before now. Even if it wouldn’t have worked out between us, at least I would have known, instead of feeling this painfully deep longing for my best friend and the crushing regret over not acting on it. Now it looks as if my chance may be gone forever.
“Have a good time?” I ask, attempting to keep the sneer of jealousy from my voice. It’s not Tate’s fault that I’m in love with him and too scared to do anything about it.
“Cor, it was wonderful. Stuart is amazing and such a gentleman.”
“Stuart? I thought you said this was a blind date.”
“I thought it was.” He sits up and grabs my hands as an excited squeal leaves his lips. “He knew I would never say yes if he asked, so he set himself up as my date. Isn’t that romantic?”
Tate has a strict no coworkers rule. Many of the men he’s worked with over the years have tried to get him to break it, and now it seems Stuart has found a way around Tate’s rule. I can’t believe Tate will continue to see him. No matter how romantic he thinks it is, he’ll indulge him for a while then let him down gently. I relax my shoulders in relief, feeling the jealous tension ease from my body.
“How did he take it when you told him you won’t be going on another date?”
“What? Of course we’re going on another date. Friday actually. Cor, he could be ‘the one.’”
I can practically see the hearts in Tate’s eyes and my own plummets in my chest to sit like a ball of lead in my stomach. Tate can’t find ‘the one.’ Not yet. I haven’t had my chance to show him how I feel.
Because you’re a coward. You’re afraid he won’t feel the same way.
My conscience is right. I don’t have the courage to tell Tate how I feel about him. It doesn’t matter, because he may have found the one and I won’t ruin that for him.
“Really? That’s great.” I smile and pull him in for a hug. I can at least pretend to be happy for him.
“Things are really starting to look up. I haven’t heard from my mysterious stalker in months and now I’ve finally had a date turn out to be exactly what I’d always dreamed of.
