CHAPTER 2 SUNDAY
I woke up with the same smile that I went to bed with. I still can't believe what happened last night as much as what didn't happen.
The self control I managed to muster up was one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.
Zoe asked me to kiss her and I didn't. Actually, I did more than kiss her. I really wasn't teasing but I have been studying Zoe Hart for months now. I listened to her every word, every story, every sarcastic remark, every rant , every disappointment, everything she thought was funny. I know what most of her body language means. She has confused me a few times but most of the time, I was spot on.
So when I say, I know how to push her buttons, I truly believe that I do. This is the reason I didn't kiss her. Zoe Hart wants to be courted, as my mom would have said. She has abandonment issues so she wouldn't want a one night stand or even a fling.
I didn't kiss her because I wanted to leave her wanting more. I know, I wanted more. I have never wanted more. What I did last night, the kiss on the cheek, brush her lips and another kiss on the cheek has never been in my toolbox. It just happened, none of it was planned. With every other woman, they know it is a one to two night thing or a booty call. I am not trying to impress them or date them. Zoe Hart is different and I want to date her for the rest of my life. Whatever it takes. I am pretty sure I made the right choice last night. Now I have to make the right choices today for our date.
I called Maxine at the Butter Stick and asked her to make Black and White cookies. I had everything planned but the plan hinged on the cookies. I called Maxine at three and asked if she could deliver them to my house. Lavon said I could use his Navigator so I took it over to Dad's and loaded my camping gear.
"Hey son, what are you doin?"
"Just grabbing my camping gear."
"You want me to go with ya?"
"No, I have a date."
"With that pretty little doctor?"
"Yeah, Dad"
"I knew you liked her. She's a keeper, that one."
"It's just date dad, nothing more"
"Ahh, you are just trying not to get your hopes up"
"Well, maybe but it took me months to ask her out so slow down old man."
"Have fun."
I ran home , showered again, put on my 501's, I opted for my Nike flat tennis shoes, white tshirt and my red and navy plaid flannel. I remember her saying it looked good on me once. I brushed my hair back off my forehead. I wanted to show her that it was different with her.
I drove fifty feet or so between our houses. Walked up to her door, lightly knocked. "Come in"
"Hey I am almost ready." She stood in front of me in a very tight purple dress and she was putting on her heels.
"Wow, you take my breath away."
"Good, that was my plan."
"Umm, Doc it's not that kind of a date. Maybe I screwed up not taking you somewhere fancy."
"I'm sorry, I just assumed you would take me to Fancie's since that is the only restaurant where you don't work. What should I change into?"
"Jeans, t shirt , maybe a long sleeve shirt, no heels."
"Okay, just a minute"
"I will wait on the porch."
She returned "Do I still take your breath away?"
"You sure do, Doc."
"So where are we going?"
"To watch the sunset, have some dinner."
"Where?"
"Aren't you the curious cat? It will take about thirty minutes. You want to find something on the radio?"
"Wow, Lavon has a preset for heavy metal, yuck."
"Nah, I just switched it. You can't tell me you don't like Stairway to Heaven. Known to all as one of the top 10 songs of all time."
"Well yeah, I like that one."
"Doc, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover"
"Touche"
After a couple of songs. I switched it to the Elvis channel. I loved that he had satellite radio. We both sang to 'Jailhouse rock' and 'Heartbreak Hotel'. She was flipping her hair back and forth. I guess we were jamming Zoe Hart style. I laughed to myself.
I pulled in the long driveway that was lined with magnolia trees.
"Where are we?"
"My grandparents land"
"Do they still live here?"
"No, my grandad is dead and My grandma is in a nursing home in Florida , close to my aunt."
"It's gorgeous"
"You ain't seen nothing yet."
I pulled around to the back of the house and continued the drive that backed up to the gulf of mexico. She was silent. I walked around to open her door. I took her hand to help her step down.
"Wade, this is spectacular"
"Yeah, it is, why don't you take a walk on the beach while I get set up."
"No, I can help."
" I really want it to be a surprise. "
She walked for about 15 minutes. I saw her stop at the dock and sit.
I set up the tent. It was a large one for 8 people. The chairs , blankets, pillows, were all out and set. I built a fire and brought our pot stand to warm up dinner. I walked down to retrieve the girl of my dreams.
"Hey, I am ready."
"Yeah, so am I. I think you owe me a kiss. We are on our first date."
"Not so fast Doc."
I laced my fingers through hers. I sat her in one of the chairs and started plating our food.
"What's on the menu?"
"We have shrimp and roasted corn risotto with wilted spinach and bacon."
"Wow, does Fancies have that on the menu? I have only ordered take out."
"No, I made it. The recipe has been in my family for a long time."
"Jesus, Wade this if freaking delicious. You really made this? I didn't know you could cook."
"There are lots of things you don't know about me. I forgot the wine. Let me open it." I poured us both a glass of chardonnay.
"Wade, this is perfect."
She asked for seconds. Is he trying to make me love her more? I hate it when girls order salads and say they aren't hungry. I am beginning to think this big city girl is anything but. We both ate another helping.
"Do you wanna watch the sunset finale on the beach or stay here on the blanket?"
"Beach, please"
We took off our shoes and she quickly grabbed my hand and started running. "Let's get our feet wet. I love when the water just skims the top of my feet, kind of like you skimmed over my lips last night."
I smiled. I could tell she wanted me to kiss her but I waited once again. I had a plan this time. We walked holding hands through the waters edge. The blue sky deepened at the top but where the sky met the water, there were shades of pink purples against the navy blue sky.
Her hair was blowing in the wind.
"Zoe Hart," I cupped her face "I am going to kiss you now."
I could feel the pulse in her lips. We had kissed twice before, once she was drunk and the other time she wasn't prepared, the float building day. That was months ago. My kisses were slow and easy. She pulled me in closer. When she did I leaned out of the kiss to look at her.
"I bet you take all of the girls out here" she smirked.
"No Zoe, I don't. In fact, never have I until today."
I kissed her again, this time I slipped my tongue past her partially parted lips. It was still soft and gentle. I felt her shiver and asked "are you cold?"
"No, that wasn't from the wind, it was from your kiss. My body is "
"Electrified?"
"Yeah," as she stretched to kiss me. We kissed a few more times.
"I haven't felt like that since that night on Miller Road"
"Oh Wade" then we wrapped our arms around our waists and walked back up to our campsite.
"Another glass of wine?"
"Cheers to finally getting out of our own way."
"Amen to that."
We laid on the blanket looking at the stars. I pointed out different constellations. Some she knew. The ones she didn't, I went into more detail.
"How do you know so much about constellations?"
"After my mom died, I spent alot of nights alone camping on our farm. Then I would ask our science teacher for books and stuff"
"I am sorry Wade, that must have been hard." She pulled herself closer to me and rested her head in the crease of my arm and chest.
"Doc, those nervous feelings, are they gone?"
"No why?"
"Mine aren't either. I don't understand, everything seems so easy. I love talking to you this way, kissing you this way. Why am I still nervous?"
"If you figure out the answer, let me know because my stomach is in knots."
We turned on our sides facing each other. I put my arm on her pillow and she laid her head on my arm. I placed my hand at the small of her waist and pulled her close to me. I kissed her until our lips were swollen. Each one getting deeper and deeper. I had to hold off on this. Her body was arching into mine. I knew enough to know what that meant. I know she could feel me wanting more as well. I didn't know how to stop. I had rarely if ever stopped at this point.
I pulled her on top of me and we pressed ourselves together, fully clothed. We were making out like teenagers and wow did it feel good.
My hands were up the back of her shirt massaging her into me.
Her body began to have little convulsions. I smiled into the next kiss.
Her body relaxed. I have to admit I was a little wet myself. We laid there a few more minutes.
"I have a surprise for you. Come into the tent"
She looked at me with those dark brown eyes with anticipation.
I pulled out the black and white cookies. "Do you want milk or just wine?"
"You have milk?" she slung her arms around me. "This the perfect date Wade."
"Yeah milk and cookies will do it every time." She gave me a little slap on the arm. We were both laughing. I finally got up the nerve to say "You are the perfect date. Will you go out with me again tomorrow?"
" I have to work at noon, Wade. I have the late shift."
"How about if we camp tonight and we can have our second date tomorrow morning? I promise to be a gentleman."
"What if I don't want you to be?"
"You are special to me. I know it is our first date and I shouldn't be saying any of this. It will probably send you running back to NYC like in one of them ElPaso salsa commercials."
I paused as she got tickled at my last statement, because I wanted her to hear it.
"Zoe Hart, if you were any other girl, you would not be here in what I feel is a sacred place. I would have screwed you yesterday and you more than likely would have not heard from me today. You are different and I want to make sure you know that. "
"Wow, a girl can't say she wants to get in your pants now, can she?" I loved that she lightened up the situation.
"So will you camp with me tonight and go on a date with me tomorrow morning?"
"I would love to Wade Kinsella."
"Have you ever read the book Cold Mountain, Doc?"
"No"
"They made a movie about it, I think it had Nicole Kidman in it. I didn't see it but everyone said it was awesome.
"No I haven't seen it either."
"Well good, it has been a long time since I have read the book and I thought we could read it together."
"You brought a book on our date?"
"Not just any book. Let's reverse directions so the firelight will hit the pages." We readjusted ourselves and she snuggled into me.
"This Dr. Hart, is a classic love story set against the backdrop of the Civil War. A confederate soldier is wounded and deserts his unit. He tries to make his way back, traveling back across the South to get to his wife Ada. Are you up for this?"
"Yes , definitely"
*"At the first gesture of morning, the flies began stirring. Inman's
Eyes and the long wound at his neck drew them and the sound
Of their wings and touch of their feet were soon more potent
Than a yard full of roosters to roust a man to wake"
I read the first chapter and she read the second.
"This date wasn't what I expected at all. I never figured you for the romantic type."
"I have never wanted to do this for a girl. Most people don't know anything about me. Lemon, George, Lavon, we have been friends forever so they always knew I used to like to read and of course play music. But this side of me has been hidden for thirty years , waiting for you, Zoe Hart."
We kissed the rest of the night away. I put a few more pieces of wood on the fire. We snuggled under our blankets for the rest of the night. I was proud of myself. I did pretty well pulling off my first date. I smiled.
