***Thursday***
Jennifer showed up to Singles who Mingle right before Jonathan.
She looked so pretty, in a black wrap dress and silver jewelry and black wedges.
Jonathan was still in his office clothes.
"Hey, have you been waiting long?"
"No, not at all. I just got here".
"Great. Find us some seats and I'll get us some coffee".
"Thanks".
She found them two seats kind of in the middle and he came and joined her.
"Here you go".
"Thank you".
He sat down next to her and took a sip of his coffee.
"So, did you have a good day?"
"Yeah, actually, I did. You?"
"Yes. I hired a new employee about a week ago, and I've already promoted her. It's such a good feeling when you find someone you can trust".
"Yes it is".
Toya stood up and started the meeting.
"Hello everyone. Ok, so last week's homework assignment was to introduce yourself to someone new and ask them out for coffee. Would anyone like to share how that went for them?"
They listened to a few people share.
"Ok, so by show of hands, who completed the assignment and had it go badly?"
A few people raised their hands.
"Who completed the assignment and had it end well?"
A few people raised their hands.
"And who completed the assignment and had it end somewhere in the middle?"
Jonathan and Jennifer raised their hands.
"Good, good. Now this week's topic deals with what to do with everything when the relationship ends. What do you do with all the things that remind of you the person you used to be with?"
They listened to everyone share, but neither of them felt like sharing themselves.
When the hour was up, Toya closed the meeting.
"Ok, this week's homework-take your friend that you took for coffee, or someone new, if it didn't work out, somewhere for a meal. And let's switch it up. If you are not the one that paid for coffee, then dinner is on you. See you all next week, please stack your chairs on the way out".
Jonathan and Jennifer stood up and he started stacking the chairs. She took their coffee cups to the garbage and then waited for him by the door.
He walked her to her car and opened the door for her.
"Thank you".
She tossed her purse into the passenger seat and turned to him.
"Ok, so dinner is my treat. We can go somewhere now, or we can meet tomorrow if you'd like".
"I'm good to go now, if you want."
"Ok, how about Porter's steakhouse, right up the street?"
"Sure. I'll follow you".
He followed her to the steakhouse and parked next to her.
They walked inside and got a table.
"Have you been here before?"
"No, I haven't. I have had it to go, though".
"It's very good. They have good sides as well".
The waitress came and took their order.
"Ok folks, I'll put this in. Here's a buzzer in case you two decide to go dance. When it goes off, that means it's on its way out".
"Thank you".
She took a sip of her wine and leaned back against the booth. They were sitting at a round table in a half-circle booth that was very intimate.
They chatted about the group some, and then the conversation moved to themselves.
The music started and the lights dimmed.
"Would you care to dance?"
"I thought you'd never ask".
They headed to the dance floor and she tucked the buzzer in her bra.
She fit in his arms like she was meant to be there. She couldn't help but notice that he had on a very pleasing cologne. She rested her cheek against his and rubbed his back while they danced to "It Had to Be You".
The song ended, and she moved her hands to his neck and looked at him.
He rested his forehead against hers, as the music changed to "You Needed Me".
In the middle of their dance, he looked at her.
"Jennifer?"
"Yeah?"
"Your chest is vibrating".
She started to laugh, and he was captivated by the sound of her laughter.
"So it is".
They headed back to the table and a few minutes later, the waitress brought their meals.
They shared a lovely meal, and then she paid the check and they got up and walked out.
"I'll follow you back to your apartment".
"Ok".
He opened the car door for her, and then after she was settled, walked around and got in his own car.
He followed her to her apartment and parked next to her.
He got out and walked her to the door.
She let him in and he closed the door right behind her.
He was nervous, and he knew it was a big step. Still, he needed to do it.
He stepped forward and hugged her.
"Thank you for dinner".
"Thanks for going with me".
He looked over and saw a copy of the LA Chronicle.
"You take this paper, huh?"
"Well, I work there, so I kind of have to".
"Yeah, I guess you do."
"Let me guess, you like the Times better?"
"I wouldn't say better. But the LA Times has always been supportive of my company, where other publications have not".
"I see".
"Well, I said I was going to make sure you are inside safely and you are. So, that's my cue to head home. Thanks again for dinner".
"Thanks again for going with me".
She leaned up and hugged him and then he left.
As she headed to bed, she found herself humming "It Had to Be You".
***Jonathan***
Jonathan pulled up in the garage and went inside. He grabbed some water before he headed upstairs to bed.
Max thought he heard something, so he came out of his room to check.
He saw Jonathan's keys on the counter and realized he was home.
As he went back to bed, he heard him singing "It Had to Be You".
'Maybe happier days are ahead'.
***The next week***
It was Tuesday, and Jennifer was in a staff meeting.
"Ok everyone, update me on how your stories are going. Brittany, you go first".
"Well, my child abuse story is basically written. But I was going to ask you if we could turn it into a 2 parter- there's a few more things I want to highlight and information I want to reveal".
"Write me a rough draft of part 2, and we'll talk. I'm sure we can fit it in somewhere".
"Thank you".
"Ok Kelsey, you're up".
"Well, I got hired on at the company I chose, and so far I've been promoted. I haven't experienced discrimination there personally, but I have heard others state that they feel discriminated against. I have 3 weeks left on my assignment before I plan on turning in my notice".
"Sounds great. I'm intrigued. Ok, Amy, you're up".
"I scored an interview with my businessman. It's tomorrow. So far, everyone I've dealt with at his company has been completely professional and respectful. According to the other women though, it's after this stage when it starts."
"Great, keep me updated. Ok, meeting adjourned guys, thanks for the good work".
She headed back to her office.
Lilianna, the receptionist was bringing her some flowers.
"Hi Miss Edwards, these just came for you".
"Thank you, Lillianna".
She sat down and looked at the bouquet. Pink tulips and white carnations in a curved clear vase with bells of Ireland to round it out.
She took the card and opened it.
"Enjoyed our dinner last week-can I return the favor? Please call me. 424-604-4278. Jonathan".
She smiled at his thoughtfulness, and picked up the phone and called him.
"Hello?"
"Hi, it's Jennifer. Thank you for the flowers".
"You're welcome. I know it's short notice, but do you have dinner plans tonight?"
"No, I don't".
"Well, I would love to take you to dinner tonight, if you're willing. It's kind of a business thing, so there might be another couple joining us. But we've scheduled this dinner 3 times now and they've canceled each time, so it could end up being just you and me".
"Well, I'm willing. How dressed up do I need to be?"
"Nice, but not formal or anything. And I don't mean to sound ungrateful, because I am so glad that I met you, but if they ask us where we met, can we not mention the singles group?"
"I am most definitely in agreement with that. You have nothing to worry about. We can just say we met through friends, nobody needs to know the details".
"I agree. Ok, so I'll pick you up at 6, is that alright?"
"Yes, that's fine. See you then".
"Bye Jennifer".
"Bye Jonathan".
She hung up and got to work.
She left the office around 4:30 and hurried home to get ready.
She took a quick shower and then selected a purple sleeveless dress with a ruffled scoop neck and ruffled hem. She put a black belt on, and some black peep toe heels.
She was ready about 10 minutes till 6. He knocked on the door right on time, and she opened it.
"Hi".
"Hi. You look gorgeous".
"Well thank you".
"Shall we?"
"We shall. Just let me grab my keys and we can go."
She locked the door and walked with him to the car.
He opened the door for her so she could get in.
"Thank you".
He slid into the driver's seat and started the car.
They drove up the coast a little bit.
"Jonathan, where are we going?"
"Antonio's. It's a great little Italian place. They have wine and dancing and wonderful food".
"Sounds lovely".
"It's only about 20 minutes farther. Shouldn't take us too long to get there".
When they arrived, he valet parked the car and they headed inside.
They were taken to their table right away and he ordered them some wine.
"The couple we are meeting is Hank and Vivian Barnwell. They are very nice. It's just sometimes, he gets so involved in the business talk that she ends up sitting there all alone and completely ignored. So, I figured if you wouldn't mind talking to her, I could talk to him and close the business deal, and then once that's signed, we can have a lovely dinner".
"Certainly".
She patted his arm.
A few minutes later, Hank and Vivian arrived.
"Hello there, Jonathan."
"Hank, great to see you. Hank, Vivian, this is my friend Jennifer Edwards. Jennifer, this is Hank and Vivian Barnwell".
"Hi, it's lovely to meet you".
They all shook hands and then Jonathan and Hank got down to business.
Vivian and Jennifer awkwardly chatted.
"You have the prettiest nails".
"Oh thank you. I'm actually overdo for a manicure".
"So what do you do?"
"I'm a journalist. What about you?"
"I'm a housewife."
"I see. How many children do you two have?"
"3. They're all grown now, and we have 6 grandchildren".
"Oh, how fun!"
"Yes, it's wonderful. We could have never had 3 children if I was working. I firmly believe a woman's place is in the home".
"Yes, well, if that's where she chooses to be, then I guess that's where her place is. I firmly believe a woman's place is wherever she chooses to be".
"That's cute when you're young, but you have to change your attitude if you want to land a man. Men like high necklines, women who keep a neat and tidy home, and dinner on the table when they come home from work".
"I see."
She turned to Jonathan.
"Jonathan, I'm going to head to the bathroom for a moment. And when I get back, let's dance, shall we?"
"Ok".
He helped her up and stood up when she left and then sat back down.
He and Hank continued to negotiate while Jennifer was in the bathroom.
She came back and Jennifer and Jonathan went to the dance floor.
"Want to tell me what that was about?"
"I'm sorry. She was just making me so angry, making feel bad about myself that I just had to get away".
"What did she say?"
"Well, she kept saying that a woman's place is in the home. So, I said that I firmly believe a woman's place is where she chooses to be, and if she chooses to be in the home, great, if not, that's great too. She then said that men like high necklines, women who keep a neat and tidy home, and dinner on the table when they get home from work. And it just made me so mad I had to get a breath of fresh air".
"Yeah, he's busting my chops and trying to get me to agree to buying his company but he wants all the female employees to be let go, and I won't agree to that. I think it should be performance based, not gender based".
"So what are you going to do?"
"I'm holding firm. He can take it or leave it".
"Good for you".
Their dance ended and they went back to the table.
"Ok Hank, here's my final deal. I will buy your company for the price we stated, and you will remain on as COO, instead of CEO. And I will evaluate every employee's performance, and if someone needs to be released from their employment, they will be. But it will be performance based, not gender based. Take it or leave it".
"Can you guarantee me that only men will be promoted to the top level positions?"
"I could. But I won't. Archaic views like that have no place in any business that my company owns. What I will guarantee you is that the best person for the job will be selected and paid accordingly".
"I'm sorry, Jonathan. No deal".
"I'm sorry we couldn't come to an agreement".
"I am too".
Hank and Vivian said goodnight and left the restaurant.
Jennifer turned and looked at Jonathan.
"Great job".
He raised his glass.
"To holding firm".
"To holding firm".
They clinked glasses and took a sip.
He signaled the waitress and she came and took their orders.
After a lovely dinner, he paid the check and they headed home.
He unlocked her door when they got to her place, and they went inside.
"How about a drink?"
"Oh no thanks, I'm good."
She kicked her shoes off and then turned around in front of him.
"Would you mind unzipping me?"
"Not at all". He unzipped her and she turned back around.
"I'll be right back".
She disappeared into the bedroom and emerged a few minutes later in a robe and slippers.
"That's much better".
He was sitting on her couch.
She grabbed the paper off the kitchen counter.
"There was something in here I wanted to ask you about-oh yes, here it is. Are you into golf?"
"Yes, I play weekly".
"Great! Do you think maybe you would be willing to join a tournament with me? It's boy/girl couples, players alternate shots and you can only use one club for the whole thing. I'll cover your fees if we can use your club".
"Sure, I'd love to do that. When is it?"
"Next Saturday morning at Bay Coast Country Club".
"Yeah, I think I can do that".
"Yay! Thank you!"
She leaned forward and hugged him.
"And thank you for dinner also".
"Thanks for going with me".
Her back started hurting so she went to the freezer and got out her ice pack and then got some medicine out of the cabinet.
She tried to open the medicine bottle, but couldn't.
"Would you mind?"
"Not at all. Are you ok?"
"I'm fine, my shoulders are just tense, that's all".
He opened the medicine bottle for her and then stepped behind her and started rubbing her shoulders.
"Oh, that's the spot, right there. That feels wonderful".
He rubbed her shoulders for a few minutes and then she turned around and hugged him.
She kissed his neck a couple times.
"Want to stay the night?"
"I'm sorry, I can't. I have to go. Goodnight, Jennifer".
He quickly left before she could say anything else.
Dumbfounded, she locked the door behind him and headed for bed.
***The next morning***
Jennifer was in her office when Shannon popped in.
"Hey stranger. How are you?"
"Oh, I'm fine. How are you?"
"Great. I decided to give the singles group another try and found a different one. I really like it so far".
"Glad it worked for someone".
"What happened?"
"Well, I met a guy at the meeting you ditched me at. His name is Jonathan and he's very handsome, intelligent, kind, friendly. So, the guy I had the coffee date with, he came to my apartment and apologized for leaving the way he did. And then he and I agreed to be friends, he said he's just not over his last relationship. So then we go to the group again, and this time the homework was for the person who didn't pay for coffee last week to pay for dinner for the one who did. So, I took him to dinner and we ate, and danced and had a great time. He sent me flowers and took me to dinner last night. And everything was going great, and then he just left again."
"Was it a date or was it just as friends?"
"He took me to an Italian place up the coast-Antonio's".
"Well hello big spender. Did he say he'd call you?"
"Nope".
"Did he give you a goodnight kiss?"
"Nope".
"Did he hold your hand in the car?"
"Nope".
"Jennifer, are you sure you had a date?"
"Maybe I thought it was one and he didn't. I didn't have a chance to ask him, he ran out of my house so fast, almost like I had the plague".
"Well, if he calls you, then hopefully you two can resolve it. If he doesn't, you can always try again at the group".
"If I go back".
Just then, Lillianna poked her head in.
"Miss Edwards, there's a guy named Jonathan on the phone for you".
