Chapter 4

That Friday, Melinda spent all day getting ready. She really wanted this date to go well and she was going to do everything she could to make sure it went that way.

At exactly 7 o'clock that evening, Jim arrived at Melinda's doorstep with a bouquet of flowers in hand. He rang the doorbell and waited for her to answer the door. Within minutes a very beautiful Melinda answered the door.

"Hi," she said smiling brightly.

"Hi, uh these are for you," he said handing her the flowers. Melinda smelled them and smiled.

"Oh Jim, that's so sweet of you."

"Well I figured a beautiful woman such as you needed some beautiful flowers, plus my mother would slap me if she ever found out I had showed up for a date without flowers." Melinda smiled.

"You're mother sounds like a very wise woman." Jim smiled back.

"Well shall we get going?"

"That sounds great," Melinda said. Jim smiled then walked over and opened the car door for her. Melinda smiled. "You are so sweet!"

Jim smiled then climbed into the driver's seat and started the car.

Melinda took a bite of her food and smiled.

"Jim, this is amazing!" Jim beamed back at her. He had taken her to a new restaurant that had just opened up and the food was just phenomenal.

"I thought you'd like it."

"Rick would never have done this for me," she said. Jim took another bite of his own food.

"Who's Rick?" Melinda gasped. How could she have forgotten to tell him?

"Oh I totally forgot! Rick is my ex."

"You're divorced?" Jim asked a little surprised.

"Yes, with two girls."

"You have kids?" Jim asked, again surprised.

"Yes. Kenzie is 7 and Maddie is 6." Jim smiled. "What?"

"I just don't know how I missed it. I mean you totally seem like the mothering type."

"Well I'm not sure how much longer that's going to last."

"What do you mean?" Jim asked before taking another bite of his meal.

"Rick and I are fighting for custody right now and it's getting pretty nasty. I just...I can't lose my girls. I love them too much and to even think of not being able to see them it's just...it's unbearable," Melinda finished with tears in her eyes. Jim put and hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, from what I've seen, there is no way they could take those girls from you." Melinda smiled a little.

"Thanks."

"Hey what do you say we leave here and head to one of my favourite places in this whole world?" Melinda nodded.

"That sounds nice." Jim smiled and put some money on the table for the bill.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Jim said, holding out his hand. Melinda smiled and took it.

"This is beautiful," Melinda said about half an hour later. The two had arrived at a beautiful beach with the sun just setting.

"My mother brought my brother and me here after my father had passed away. We didn't even stay for the whole funeral," Jim said chuckling a little. "I've been coming here ever since." Melinda rolled over.

"I'm so sorry about your father." Jim looked over and cupped her face in his hands.

"Don't be," he said ever so gently. Melinda closed her eyes and let his lips come closer, enveloping them in a sweet, sincere kiss. One unlike any other kiss she had ever been given. Jim kissed her again then quickly pulled away. "I'm sorry," he said. Melinda cupped his face in her hands.

"Don't be," she said. Jim smiled.

"It's getting late. I should probably take you home to your girls."

"Yes, my mother might just kill me if I leave them there any longer."

"Oh, they're at your mother's house?" Melinda nodded. "Well why don't I drive you out there to pick them up then drive you all back home? It would save you a trip."

"Are you sure? It's a little ways out."

"It's no big deal, really. Besides I'd love to meet your girls." Melinda smiled.

"Well thank-you. I'd like you to meet them too." Jim smiled then took her hand and walked her over to his car.