maybe this man would be an interesting diversion. She’d bring her own money on the date, but maybe this Abisi was an old-fashioned gentleman and would pay for lunch. She’d at least have a free meal.
She began typing. “Hi! I’d love to meet you. Do you like pizza? Theo’s Pizza on Canal Street is great. Would you like to meet Saturday around noon?” She clicked the submit button. Harley figured she had three days to chicken out.
Nico’s mouth spread into what looked like a smile. He nudged her leg.
With Nico beside her, she made her way to the kitchen, reached into a cabinet, removed a bottle of whiskey, and poured herself a shot. God, was the thought of dating sending her to the bottle?
An hour later, Harley checked her messages. He had replied. Instinctively, she knew her destiny would change, but she was unsure if that change would bring her happiness. Loving meant taking risks. Harley’s lungs deflated when she read his response. “Yes, I’ll meet you anywhere. I’m looking forward to it.”
Harley arrived five minutes early, turned onto Carrollton and parked in the lot behind the building. She retrieved a compact from her purse and gazed at herself for several minutes. “Not half bad for somebody almost forty.” Her makeup was always tasteful, and her jeans definitely were slimming. She glanced at her hands to see if there were no chips in the nail polish. She straightened her pink silk blouse, stepped out of her car, locked the door, and made her way to the restaurant. With each step she took, Harley prayed that this date would be painless. She mumbled, reciting a mantra, “Please, God, don’t let him be an ass. This is lunch, not just a drink. I can’t escape so easily.”
Harley recognized him from his picture the minute she saw him. Abisi stood the minute she entered. He’d been waiting for her. She extended her hand, and he took it firmly in his. His hands weren’t soft. They were a gardener’s hands. The man’s profile said he was sixty, but no gray shone in his close-cropped beard or in the ebony hair that clung to his head like a crown. His black slacks fit nicely. He was not a skinny man, but definitely not fat and much taller than she. Harley liked that. She was 5’9, and she’d liked that John was 6’2. Abisi was probably taller than John. His dark gaze was intelligent but kind. He pulled out her chair. Harley smiled broadly. Most of them didn’t even stand when she’d entered. A warm liquid slowly melted through her body. He was the first to display such Old World politeness, and Harley’s face grew warm at the subtle heat his very nearness generated.
“I wanted to wait for you to order. Your profile indicated you were vegetarian. Do you also abstain from wine?” Abasi spoke the words close to her ear. He had a distinctive, rich accent .
Harley had to admit that this initial meeting was not only turning out well but was exciting. She answered quickly, “No, no, I don’t. I’d love a glass of Merlot.” Harley smiled at him as he sat across from her. The man was polite and considerate of her as a woman. Could she have met a winner after such a long succession of sad losers?
“Since you suggested this establishment, I imagine you know the place.” Abisi gazed at her over the menu. “What would you suggest?”
Harley replied quickly, “The hippie pizza and the house red wine.”
He nodded. “The hippie pizza it is, but since this is a special occasion, may I suggest the merlot, especially since you did?”
“Of course.” Harley smiled, happy, but hoped her date was paying. The wine list was pricey. Harley studied the man opposite her. How in hell did people start conversations these days? She hadn’t dated in years, and her latest forays into Internet dating had been nothing short of disaster.
Abisi spared her the brain searching. “Your profile said you’re a teacher. What do you teach?”
“English.” She waited while the waiter took their orders.
She began typing. “Hi! I’d love to meet you. Do you like pizza? Theo’s Pizza on Canal Street is great. Would you like to meet Saturday around noon?” She clicked the submit button. Harley figured she had three days to chicken out.
Nico’s mouth spread into what looked like a smile. He nudged her leg.
With Nico beside her, she made her way to the kitchen, reached into a cabinet, removed a bottle of whiskey, and poured herself a shot. God, was the thought of dating sending her to the bottle?
An hour later, Harley checked her messages. He had replied. Instinctively, she knew her destiny would change, but she was unsure if that change would bring her happiness. Loving meant taking risks. Harley’s lungs deflated when she read his response. “Yes, I’ll meet you anywhere. I’m looking forward to it.”
Harley arrived five minutes early, turned onto Carrollton and parked in the lot behind the building. She retrieved a compact from her purse and gazed at herself for several minutes. “Not half bad for somebody almost forty.” Her makeup was always tasteful, and her jeans definitely were slimming. She glanced at her hands to see if there were no chips in the nail polish. She straightened her pink silk blouse, stepped out of her car, locked the door, and made her way to the restaurant. With each step she took, Harley prayed that this date would be painless. She mumbled, reciting a mantra, “Please, God, don’t let him be an ass. This is lunch, not just a drink. I can’t escape so easily.”
Harley recognized him from his picture the minute she saw him. Abisi stood the minute she entered. He’d been waiting for her. She extended her hand, and he took it firmly in his. His hands weren’t soft. They were a gardener’s hands. The man’s profile said he was sixty, but no gray shone in his close-cropped beard or in the ebony hair that clung to his head like a crown. His black slacks fit nicely. He was not a skinny man, but definitely not fat and much taller than she. Harley liked that. She was 5’9, and she’d liked that John was 6’2. Abisi was probably taller than John. His dark gaze was intelligent but kind. He pulled out her chair. Harley smiled broadly. Most of them didn’t even stand when she’d entered. A warm liquid slowly melted through her body. He was the first to display such Old World politeness, and Harley’s face grew warm at the subtle heat his very nearness generated.
“I wanted to wait for you to order. Your profile indicated you were vegetarian. Do you also abstain from wine?” Abasi spoke the words close to her ear. He had a distinctive, rich accent .
Harley had to admit that this initial meeting was not only turning out well but was exciting. She answered quickly, “No, no, I don’t. I’d love a glass of Merlot.” Harley smiled at him as he sat across from her. The man was polite and considerate of her as a woman. Could she have met a winner after such a long succession of sad losers?
“Since you suggested this establishment, I imagine you know the place.” Abisi gazed at her over the menu. “What would you suggest?”
Harley replied quickly, “The hippie pizza and the house red wine.”
He nodded. “The hippie pizza it is, but since this is a special occasion, may I suggest the merlot, especially since you did?”
“Of course.” Harley smiled, happy, but hoped her date was paying. The wine list was pricey. Harley studied the man opposite her. How in hell did people start conversations these days? She hadn’t dated in years, and her latest forays into Internet dating had been nothing short of disaster.
Abisi spared her the brain searching. “Your profile said you’re a teacher. What do you teach?”
“English.” She waited while the waiter took their orders.
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