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Maddie: You can’t be the only one there by yourself.
Graham: That’s what I thought.
Graham: Will you join me?
Maddie: Of course I will. What time?
Graham: I’ll stop by your place at seven.
Maddie: See you then.
The moment she agrees, there’s a relief that’s unreliable, but it’s quickly followed by unwanted nerves. I shake them off and do the best I can to focus, but for the rest of the day all I’m able to think about is whether or not she’ll enjoy herself tonight and what Brian and the others will think of her. It’s unsettling and given that I’ve never brought a date or had a girlfriend I’ve been interested in long enough to introduce to my friends, I’m not quite sure how to get rid of the anxiousness or what to do with it. I remind myself she’s not my girlfriend, this is different. Even if it all goes to hell, I can simply keep them separate.
It’s not until I knock on her door, wearing a suit and tie with no jacket, and she opens it that all apprehension falls away.
Her little black dress and kitten heels are both casual and yet elegant.
“Is this all right?” she questions, and I murmur that she’s perfect. She’s stunning. Once again I find myself wrapped up in Madelyn Cunnigham. It’s odd how everything slips into place when she’s with me. How the uncertainty fades away. She puts her arm through mine, and I guide her to the elevator and then into my private car. I find myself thinking I would feel even moreat ease and these little hiccups like earlier wouldn’t occur if she would move in with me.
I recall her stipulation about time apart initially but that was weeks ago, and I’m almost certain she’d agree things have been easy between us and that we are spending more and more time together. With the streets dark and the city lights surrounding us, I take glances at Madelyn the entire drive to the restaurant, wondering what she would say if I offered.
Maddie
All the nervousnessin my belly keeps me relatively quiet, although I have a million questions on my mind.
Graham lays his hand palm up in the middle of the seats and I slip my hand into place. I can’t help but smile as he rubs soothing circles on my wrists as if he can sense I’m nervous.
“So. Tell me about your friends. Have you known them a long time?” My heart pounds as he nods.
I almost ask him, ‘this isn’t like a test or anything right?’ but then my lips slam shut.A test of what?We enjoy what we’re doing and that’s all there is to it, I lie to myself, knowing damn well this is different but not wanting to jinx it.
Graham answers more thoroughly, “I’ve known Scott and Drew since college and Brian since grade school. We’ve never lost touch. I don’t have siblings, so they’re the closest thing I have to brothers.”
My throat gets tight at the subtle emotion in his voice. “That’s really nice, Graham. My friend Suzette is like that. Basically a sister to me.”
“Suzette?”
“Maybe you could meet her sometime,” I offer. “I owe her a drink since she helped me get my new job.”
He hesitates, then says, “I’d like that.”
“I would, too.” I scramble around for another question before the conversation can get too deep. “Do you get together with these friends often?” The car hums as we move through traffic.
“A few times a year.” Graham says and then confides in me a little more and the small talk is more than helpful.
My nerves settle as he tells me more about his friends, the classes they took in college, and the things they got up to on the weekends. The driver pulls us into a curved drive that takes us off the city street and close to the door as we arrive at the restaurant.
It’s on the first floor of a skyscraper with manicured plants in the front and lights glowing above the windows. A pristine awning covers a door made from dark wood that shines like it’s been polished. Uniformed valets wait to park cars for people, and everything I can see looks freshly painted and lovingly maintained.
“Wow,” I breathe. “This isaniceplace.” I nervously look down at my dress and wonder if I should have opted for something more…delicate or detailed or higher heels. I’ve been to a number of high-end banquets for charities and exquisite dinners and events with my ex, but this is…more.
“You look beautiful,” Graham says, and offers me his arm. “Stunning even,” he adds with a charming smirk that eases my mind.
He holds my hand in his as the hostess takes us through the restaurant. We walk past people at candlelit tables to a private room in the back. Graham’s friends sit at a long table with their wives. When we step inside, all of them get up from the tableto shake Graham’s hand, slap his back, and sneak in hugs. The atmosphere is easy and friendly. They’re more than welcoming.
“Graham, who’s this?” one of his friends asks, barely concealed excitement in his eyes. “You’ve never brought a date before.”
A blush heats my cheeks and I do everything I can to not let my nerves show as I give a little wave.