Page 35

35

CADE

I flip my signal even though I’m the only one on the road and turn down Georgia’s lane. It’s been a week since we were eliminated and much to my surprise, I’ve escaped the usual letdown that follows a loss. Georgia has been a rock and my son has been a touchstone of clarity and perspective, reminding me of what truly matters in life. His laughter and innocence have anchored me. I honestly cannot believe how a random trip to the grocery store has changed my life forever.

We’re going on a bona fide date tonight. I’m taking Georgia into the city to our favorite restaurant. We used to go there all the time. I even reserved our favorite booth. The chef is a personal friend of the family and is expecting us. It’s Michelin-starred and known for its oak-fire grilled steaks. The service is exceptional and the atmosphere is upscale, trendy and intimate.

I knock and then let myself in. “Hey, Georgia, I’m here.”

“Coming!” she calls from the back bedroom.

Then there she is… the love of my life looking exquisite as always. My heart does funny things in my chest when she smiles.

I let out a low whistle. “You look amazing,” I say. She is wearing a long-sleeved, form-fitting, black mini-dress that shows off her gorgeous curves and long legs. The thigh-high black suede boots are hella sexy. Yowser. Her flaming hair is loose, falling around her shoulders in thick waves and if it wouldn’t make me look like a total jerk, I’d skip going out altogether and beg her to make love to me immediately.

She usually doesn’t bother with make-up, but tonight she’s got on some eyeliner and smoky eyeshadow that accentuate her gorgeous green eyes which are sparkling with humor at the moment.

“You’re not so bad yourself.”

“This ole thang?” I say and curtsey. I’ll do just about anything to hear her laugh and I succeed. Dad jokes work every time. But I did take extra care with my appearance tonight. I’m wearing a gray cotton crew neck jersey with a charcoal gray blazer, slim-fit blue jeans and my light gray suede Italian loafers. I stand there like a doofus, staring at her. She is stunning.

“Like what you see?” she asks.

I laugh. “What gave me away?”

“You surely don’t have a poker face.”

I grab her hand and pull her into my arms. “You smell like heaven,” I say.

“Thank you.”

I nibble on her earlobe as she squeals, “That tickles.”

“Auggie already at your parents?”

“Yes. They’re keeping him overnight.” My heart leaps. Good sign.

“So, you trying to tell me we don’t have a curfew?”

“Right,” she purrs in my ear.

“This is sounding better and better.”

“I agree.”

“Where’s your jacket?” I ask.

“I’ll grab it.” She leaves my embrace to retrieve her short black suede jacket, and I hold it while she slips it on.

“Ready?”

“I’m starving. I skipped lunch to save room,” she says. I reach for her hand as we walk to the car. Opening the car door, she slides in and I buckle her up. I take a little longer than necessary and steal a kiss before I go.

When we arrive at the restaurant, I give them my name and we’re whisked back to our secluded corner booth right across from the fireplace.

“Wow, is this ever a blast from the past,” she says, looking around wide-eyed.

“We even scored our favorite booth.”

“Pays to know the owner,” she teases.

The server arrives immediately and hands us our menus before reciting the specials. I order a bottle of wine and she disappears to put in the order. As soon as she leaves a water server appears and fills our glasses.

“What looks good?” I ask her. She’s biting her bottom lip in concentration as she studies her menu as if she’ll be quizzed on it later.

“I’m thinkin’ the beet salad to start with. My eyes are usually bigger than my stomach but what the heck.”

“I’m starting with the French Onion soup and a wedge salad. Their soup is the bomb.”

“I seem to remember that. Maybe I can sample yours,” she says sweetly.

“You can have anything you want. Hey,” I say, “they have lobster on the menu!” She glares at me and nudges me with her foot.

“Very funny. I think I’ll go with the salmon.”

“I’m ordering a juicy strip steak with the twice-baked potato. I’ve been thinking of it all day.”

“I have to save room for their apple tart.”

“Yep. I’ll get the key lime pie and we can share.”

The waitress brings our wine and pours a sample. Georgia nods her approval and then the waitress fills our glasses halfway. She takes our orders and we close our menus and hand them back. Then we’re alone again.

Georgia takes a sip of wine and sighs. “Like old times,” she says softly. “I’m glad you brought me here. I could never bring myself to come back after you left.”

I feel a pang of guilt and squash it down. I’m not about to ruin our night with old tunes and regret. New day, new page. “This is my first time back too,” I admit.

She narrows her eyes. “You swear?”

“Cross my heart,” I reply, making an X across my chest. “This is our place.”

The server returns bringing a basket of warm bread. After she leaves, I take a slice from the basket and butter it for Georgia.

“Mm, yummy,” she says clapping her hands softly. “Thank you,” she says as her teeth crunch into the crispy crust. “Mm. As good as I remembered.”

I slather butter onto another piece for myself and devour it.

She studies me over her wine glass as she takes another sip. “So, what’s next?”

I frown. “As in?”

“As in what are your plans in the off-season?”

“I’m looking at her.”

She chokes on her wine. “I’m your plan?”

“Winning you over. And of course, learning how to be a good father to Auggie.”

“You already are a good father,” she says. The tenderness in her expressive eyes makes me feel undeserving.

“I’m halfway there then,” I joke.

Our first courses arrive and we tuck into them, sampling each other’s dishes like we always used to. It feels like the two-year separation never happened and it’s kind of weird.

She looks up and like she’s reading my mind says, “It feels a bit like déjà vu.”

“Did you slip into my brain? You read my mind.”

She giggles. “So weird.”

I hold up my hand. “Stop. You’re freaking me out.”

“You’re such a goofball.”

I grin. “Hey, since August is staying overnight at your parents do you want to stay in the city tonight… at my place?”

“I was hoping you’d ask.”

We finish our starters and soon after, our entrées arrive. By the time we get to dessert, we decide to take them to go. In ten minutes, we’re home.