Jette was happy to get out and do some shopping even though she had thought her sister was up to something. They slowly made their way into a semi-formal wear shop to look around. Dominique said that she was looking for a dress in hopes that 'someone' would ask her out to dinner sometime soon. Jette laughed knowing who she was referring to.
As she looked around, a dress caught her attention. It was two-piece, black velvet, with corset style top. She did like it a lot and figured it couldn't hurt to get some new clothes. She found her size and quickly slung it over her arm. A new pair of shoes and perhaps a new handbag would be needed to finish off the ensemble.
Nikki suggested some new jewelry too but Jette could only laugh. She found a small silver clutch with zigzag stitching and picked it up. It would go nicely with the sparkly silver heels her sister had just found! The ladies took their time shopping and finding new semiformal wear. Dominique found a dress that her sister insisted she buy 'in case that someone does ask you out' Jette told her.
Nikki was looking at the dress her sister had found for her. It was very pretty and playful. She had a pair of clear 3-inch stilettos that would go great with the dress as well as a white clutch with yellow stitching. This shopping trip was turning out to be quite successful! The ladies paid out and headed to the store right next door.
They were having a good time shopping and joking around. The case was stressful and both were quite happy that they had caught the creep! Around 5pm, Dominique decided they should head back to their hotel to get ready. Jette wanted to know ready for what but her sister simply said they were going out to dinner to celebrate finishing their first case here. Jette thought her sister wasn't telling her the whole truth but kept quiet.
Jette showered first and took her time. She washed up, shaved, and savored the hot water as long as she could. As her sister was taking a hot bubble bath, Jette was getting ready for her evening. Getting dressed didn't take long but doing her makeup and hair took a few minutes. She wanted to look nice, even though she was assuming she was merely having dinner with her sister, and made sure to look perfect.
Dominique stood in the doorway to the bathroom watching as her sister primped herself to look fabulous. Even if she didn't want to admit it, Nikki knew Jette had a little crush on the Lieutenant. She couldn't blame her sister, he was an attractive guy! Shaking her head, Nikki began towel drying her hair. Jette slipped into her shoes and waited for her sister to get ready.
Shortly before 8pm, Dominique began ushering her sister out the hotel door and into an awaiting cab. Jette didn't bother asking where they were going since she figured her sister would either give her a smartass answer like 'somewhere to eat' or flat out ignore the question. They pulled up in front of the steakhouse that Bubba had told her to meet them at. Nikki suddenly began to feel nervous wondering if the two officers were going to show. The cab let the two women out after Jette paid the cab fare.
Upon entering the nice steakhouse, Dominique began looking around. To her relief, and surprise, Bubba was sitting at a table with a Mr. Lonnie Jamison. She didn't quite know what to do so they stood there waiting for something to happen. Bubba began looking around, worried Dominique wouldn't keep good on her word. His eyes landed on the two ladies and he smiled.
He stood up making Lonnie watch where he was headed off to. The tall Captain confidently strode to where the ladies were standing. He greeted the pair cordially making them smile back in greeting. He ushered Dominique to a table that was a little ways from where the Lieutenant was sitting. Bubba didn't bother to walk Jette to her table.
Lieutenant Jamison couldn't help but stare at the young woman as she followed her sister and his friend. The long black velvet flowing skirt and velvet corset looking top showed off the curves he hadn't noticed before. His eyes travelled up her body taking in her natural beauty. How hadn't he noticed it before?
When he realized what Bubba had done, he stood up. Jette was a bit shocked when Lonnie pulled out her chair for her. She watched as he sat back down before greeting her. She wasn't sure why she was suddenly so nervous. It's not like they hadn't shared a meal together, alone, before. She gave her drink order since he had already done so before her arrival. She thought he looked very handsome in the black slacks and red button down with black blazer.
"Well, I wasn't sure you were going to come." Lonnie suddenly stated
"I wasn't sure I was meeting anyone this evening. My sister can be quite…. sneaky….. when she wants to be." Jette chuckled
"I wasn't really going to make you buy me dinner." Lonnie retorted
"It's quite alright. It was a fair bet. You look pretty good all cleaned up." Jette said
"Well thank you. You look pretty good yourself." Lonnie replied
She blushed at the compliment. Bubba and Nikki watched the pair from their table. They talked mostly of Lonnie and Jette, however, they did get to know one another a bit more. Bubba discovered that he really did enjoy her company and decided he would like to spend more time with her. Nikki blushed at a compliment Bubba had given her when they heard Jette's laughter.
Jette was discovering that she really did like the young Lieutenant. He had a dry sense of humor but she like it nonetheless. He was kind and she found she liked talking with him. He made her laugh at some of the stories he told her of Sparta. She made him laugh at stories of their childhood and college career. There was something about his laugh and smile that stirred something in her.
"So how's the house-hunting going?" Lonnie asked her
"Well … we've narrowed our search down to two properties. One is on Mason Drive… uh 133 I think, and the other is on…. um, I believe Statton Street. Number 348 if I remember right." Jette answered
"I know both those places. Beautiful houses, lots of history, very large lots. Very expensive. Which one are you leaning towards?" Lonnie said
"Both are very impressive properties. I like them both. Nikki likes them both. That's why we're having a hard time deciding. Both neighborhoods seem to be very nice." Jette thoughtfully replied, "I think, though, that I'm leaning towards the one on Statton. It seems to have more trees and greenery."
"It's a very nice place. I think you'll love it once you get moved in and settled." Lonnie told her
"I hope so. I'm awfully tired of living in a damned hotel!" Jette chuckled
"I bet. You should get a vehicle, too. It'll be hard walking to and from work that far." Lonnie stated, making her laugh
"We both have vehicles. We're just waiting on them to arrive from Dallas. I really hope they get here soon, I'm tired of walking everywhere already!" Jette retorted making Lonnie laugh this time
Dinner was excellent and the company was even better, at least to Jette. Lonnie insisted on paying but Jette was adamant she should pay because she did owe him dinner. They argued for a few minutes, which made both Bubba and Nikki laugh from their table, until she could sneak her credit card to the waitress. Lonnie found himself smiling at her hard-headedness. He liked the fact that she fought to pay the bill and owned up to the bet she'd him.
Bubba offered to take Nikki home to give Lonnie an excuse to take her sister home. As Lonnie and Jette left the steakhouse, she realized her sister had left her there. Her shocked and slightly angry expression made Lonnie grin. Being the gentleman that he was, Lonnie immediately offered to take Jette home. She smiled shyly before accepting his offer.
He led her to his red corvette, which made her giggle and drool over his vehicle. He could only smile at her enthusiasm over his car. They talked more about the two properties the ladies were debating on buying and cars. Before she knew it, they had pulled up in front of the hotel she was staying at. It surprised her and she didn't quite know what to say to him.
He slid out of his car and walked around to open her door. She wasn't quite used to this kind of treatment and blushed at the sentiment. He walked her to the door where they stood like teenagers.
"Thanks for dinner. I had a great time." She stated, kicking herself as soon as she said it for being so lame
"I must thank you for dinner, it was wonderful. Next time, dinner is on me." Lonnie replied
"There's going to be a next time?" Jette chuckled nervously
"I hope so." Lonnie started as Bubba and Dominique pulled up next to Lonnie's corvette, "Well, it looks like your sister has arrived."
"Yeah. It looks like they're having a great time too. I haven't seen her laugh like that in a very long time." Jette said
"You were laughing like that tonight." Lonnie quietly said
"I… uh… well, you know." She stuttered
Lonnie laughed softly before grabbing her upper arm gently.
"Well, I should let you get inside before it starts raining." Lonnie said, looking up at the sky
"Uh, yeah. I most definitely do not want to get this dress wet!" She chuckled, "Thank you for this evening."
"Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow." He said, giving her arm a light squeeze
She turned to unlock the hotel door. As soon as it was opened, she turned to watch him get into his corvette. Bubba and Nikki didn't seem to notice anything, which made her chuckle. Lonnie took the chance to look at Jette briefly before heading off to his own home. He really hoped they picked the one on Statton Street because it was close to his home.
