L
I wanted tonight to go perfectly. The minute I returned home, I took out the SD card and started the long process of uploading the photos to my Dropbox. I even set an alarm in order to make sure I had enough time to shower and get ready for tonight.
I took my work seriously. It took precedence over most anything else because it allowed me to take care of Mom, even from two hours away. My work ethic was important to me and I wanted to make sure I came across like a consummate professional. However, I also knew that Jennie was one in a million. I knew she couldn't offer me more than what she was giving me right now. I knew she just wanted the physical, not necessarily the emotional and spiritual. I could respect that. I thought I wanted it too. My mother's condition could worsen at any moment, my sister could call and tell me I had to come back home, and I would have to drop everything and go.
Still, I thought Jennie was worth the effort, worth trying.
The photos were nearly done when my alarm buzzed. I finished up what I could and hopped in the shower. The water ran down my back and the stream put pressure on the tension in my muscles. I emerged fifteen minutes later and dried off. I styled my hair so it didn't come off as messy and dressed in a nice blue collared shirt to bring out my eyes, and pressed charcoal pants fresh from the drycleaner. I wore some cologne - nothing too heavy. I'd discovered some women could be overwhelmed with strong scents. I took my pocket digital camera with me - I always had to have one camera on me and phones didn't count in my eyes. I wanted to see things from a lens, not a screen. I pulled up to the winery and went to the door. I could tell Jennie was closing up. Part of me wanted to go in and offer to help, but I didn't know if that would be rude. This was her business and just because she was a woman didn't mean she needed assistance. After her display earlier today…both with her ex and with her tasting…I could see she knew how to handle herself and she didn't need me to come in and sweep her off of her feet. So, I waited before knocking.
When she answered, she wore the same attire as earlier, except with high heels and makeup. She was a knockout. I had no idea how I had the privilege of breathing the same air as she did.
"Sorry," she said. "I was going to go home and change, but there were wine orders and I wanted to make sure I had a head start on everything."
"You don't have to explain," I told her, leaning down and giving her a soft kiss on her cheek. I liked when her eyes closed and she leaned into it. "You look beautiful." I offered her my arm. "Shall we?"
"You're sweet," she said. She took my arm and leaned her head on my shoulder as I led her to my car. "Where are we having dinner?"
"Honestly, there's not much of a selection in Westport," I told her, opening up the car door. "But I managed to snag a table at a steak house for us."
She glanced over at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "How did you know I love a good steak?" she asked.
I couldn't help it. I had to take a picture. When I let my camera hang from my neck, she had a small frown, all playfulness was gone.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," I said. "I had to take your picture. You looked stunning then. There was this glint in your eyes…"
"I don't know if I'm comfortable with that," Jennie admitted.
"I'm sorry," I repeated. "It's instinctive. When I see beauty, I want to capture it, but I won't do that without your permission from now on. Forgive me?"
She stared at me for a long moment before curling her lip into a small grin. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of it and I was relieved when she nodded.
I drove her to Cattleman's Ranch, a steak house tucked just off of Main Street. It was always busy on the weekends, even in the off-season. I was a complete gentlewoman. My mother would have been so proud. I opened doors, I let her walk in first, I pulled her chair. I knew she didn't want me doing things for her, but I wanted to show her that I would without hesitation. I hoped she liked old-fashioned courting.
Since she was the expert, I had her select the wine, and when I tasted the fruity concoction, I was pleasantly surprised. "This is amazing," I murmured, looking at the strawberry color.
"Thanks," she murmured. "It's mine."
I looked at her with wide eyes. "This is amazing," I repeated. "You are amazing. I can't even— I mean, I'm not surprised. But I am. Do you know - am I explaining myself the right way?"
She chuckled and I grabbed my camera. Before I snapped the picture, I looked at her. "Can I?" I asked, indicating my digital camera. "You just look beautiful right now. I mean, you're beautiful all the time but I just wanted to…"
"Go ahead," she said with a laugh.
I snapped three pictures.
Jennie shook her head. "I don't understand." She sighed. "I'm in clothes from earlier. I don't feel like I tried at all."
"I don't know when you'll believe me, but I'll keep telling you so you finally do," I told her, serious. "There's a glow about you. You're beautiful, but it's more than that. You're a beautiful person inside and out. And that's a photographer's dream. You are a dream."
I could feel her resisting my compliments, but a light blush touched her cheeks and she tried, and failed, to hide a smile.
"I'd rather be your reality than a dream," she murmured.