It is Saturday afternoon, and Jamie is due at Eddie's apartment any minute. She never could get out of him specifics on how she should dress, just comfortable, is all he would tell her.
That could mean so many things, she thinks to herself as she is getting ready, but decides on dark denim crop pants, a soft yellow shirt that hugs her curves flawlessly, and white flats. Her hair is down in waves again, and Jamie is knocking on her door.
Standing just outside the front door of Eddie's apartment, Jamie is anxiously waiting for her to answer. He has the perfect date planned for them today, and the weather is wonderful.
He didn't want to go to a restaurant again. He wanted to take her somewhere special, where it could be just them and they could enjoy their afternoon peacefully, avoiding the hustle and bustle of the busy New York streets on a Saturday afternoon.
She opens her door to him, and he is once again speechless at the sight of her. She is naturally beautiful. She doesn't have to try hard, and she never does. She is simple and sweet and Jamie wonders what this feeling is rushing through his heart right now.
She smiles at him as she says hello and he can't help but lean in for a kiss. This time it remains gentle for the short duration and then he guides her out of her apartment.
Their destination is just a twenty-minute walk from her apartment, so they enjoy the stroll, arm in arm. Eddie is still prying for more details. She can't stand not knowing where they are going, but Jamie tells her to trust him and that she will find out soon enough. He is taking her to the perfect place in Central Park. He hopes it's not too cliché and that she will love it.
Once they have made it to the park, and she realizes where they are, she is glad she went with the flats, heels would have been a nightmare, and she reminds him again why it is so important for a woman to know exactly how to dress. He smiles at how adorably playful she is when she says that. She is not complaining at all, she is simply trying to prove her point.
Eddie doesn't know it yet, but Jamie has a very specific destination in mind. They are close when he stops at a hot dog cart, and he starts to panic silently for a minute, hoping that she doesn't despise hot dogs and expect a fancier meal, but when he sees the look in her eyes, his doubts are laid to rest.
She loves hot dogs, especially New York hot dogs and she is very impressed with Jamie's plans thus far. They both spare the onions in preparation for what they hope to come later, and he guides her the short way to the special place he has decided on.
It is a rustic metal bench nestled in a picturesque wooded area of the park, just steps from a small pond, with breathtaking views of Catholic Cathedrals in the distance. It is beautiful and romantic and secluded.
He knew this would be the only place in the park where they could avoid the heavy crowds of tourists, and Eddie is fascinated both with the man she is there with, and the destination he has chosen for them.
They sit on the bench, leaving no space between them, indulging in their hot dogs and Jamie is learning that the woman he is falling for elicits those little sensual moans with each meal she thoroughly enjoys, and he is so turned on by it. By her.
They have long finished their meal before either realizes they have been occupying that quaint bench for a couple of hours now. Eddie is leaning even closer into Jamie's side, and his arms are wrapped around her as they talk about nothing and everything.
They are encapsulated by one another and Jamie takes advantage of their position as he leans in for a slow kiss that leaves her wanting more. Everything about this man is her weakness and she wonders if she is falling in love with him.
She wonders if it is too soon, she can't help it though. When she is with him, she feels important, safe and happy. She can't remember the last time she truly felt this way.
The daylight is beginning to fade away, but neither makes a motion to leave their spot. Jamie still has his arm around her shoulder, and she is comfortable in his embrace, with her hand resting softly on his thigh.
"What is your favorite part about New York," he asks her.
She wants to tell him that he is her favorite part because he is, but she doesn't. Not yet, so she tells him the other truth. That she hasn't seen anything really, at least not the famous tourist destinations.
"I'd really love to see the city skyline at night," she tells him honestly, and Jamie is formulating a plan as she speaks.
"I've heard it's beautiful at night, all lit up…but it's hard to see from the window of my third-story apartment," she says, laughing softly.
"Come on," he tells her as he leans forward to stand, taking her hand gently in his.
She accepts it because she loves the way it feels.
"Where are we going," she asks him, but she will go anywhere he wants to take her right now.
"Phase two…and don't ask any more questions," he tells her firmly but with a smile.
They are walking together again, their arms interlocked at their elbows, and Jamie thinks that his new idea probably is a little too cliché, but it is the only way he can think to give her what she wants right now.
He doesn't realize that she really just wants him, or maybe he does, but he has got his new plan for now. He is taking her to the top of the Empire State Building, and by the time they get there, the sun will have set on New York City and she will get to see the skyline at night, and he will be the one to show her.
When they arrive, Jamie stops her in front of the entrance but doesn't let go of her arm. He is happy to see an old Reagan family friend working the ticket booth that evening and tells him he needs two tickets to the Observation Deck.
While the man is happy to see Jamie, he can't help but wonder who he is with.
"Who's your pretty lady, Jamie," Mr. Jones asks him as he hands him their tickets.
"This is Eddie," he says as he smiles at the family friend.
"Well, Eddie, you are a very beautiful lady," Mr. Jones says, as he looks at her and then back at Jamie before he continues. "I hope Jamie is being a gentleman," he finishes, and Eddie smiles sweetly at the old man.
"A perfect gentleman," she replies softly as she looks back at Jamie, smiling at him now.
It takes several elevator rides to reach the Observation Deck, and by the time they get there, the sun has set completely, and the city is lit up beautifully in a multitude of vibrant colors. Jamie's hand lands at the small of her back as he guides her closer to the edge. She is in awe at the extraordinary view and leans into the railing to relish the moment.
Jamie takes the opportunity to close in behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and he begins to identify the buildings and other landmarks that he can for her. She melts in his embrace and appreciates him even more for doing this.
They are lucky tonight. There should be an abundance of people scattering around them, but there isn't. Jamie thanks the stars that have aligned for him perfectly in this moment, as Eddie turns to face him. Their bodies don't separate, but his arms are around her back now, and this time she leans in for the kiss. It's soft, it's sensual, it's her way of saying thank you, and he is welcoming her, holding her tighter to him.
They have been up there long enough. The air is cooler at twelve hundred feet, and Jamie can feel the chill on Eddie's arms. She doesn't want to leave yet, she is enjoying this moment too much and doesn't want the night to end, but it's time to go.
Jamie walks her back to her apartment and for a second he wishes he would have let his parents keep Gracie overnight like they had offered. He would probably end up spending the night at Eddie's and that is what he was afraid of. That is why he insisted that he would pick Gracie up tonight.
He knew he wouldn't be able to resist the urge not to leave Eddie alone tonight, and he didn't want her to think that all these romantic gestures were just his way to get into her bed.
He respects her too much, and he wants her to respect him. He knows that is where they are headed, and he wants it to be special. She deserves that.
They aren't far from her apartment, and Jamie laces his fingers with hers. Those flutters are coming back and she wonders where this night is heading. Should she invite him inside when they get there? She wants to, she knows how bad she wants him right now, but she thinks maybe it is too soon and doesn't want him to get the wrong impression of her.
They are standing in front of her door, and she is nervous now. Jamie isn't walking away yet and she wonders if maybe she should invite him in. He thinks he should just kiss her goodbye and leave, but he can't move.
He wants to follow her in so badly, this is exactly what he was afraid of. He is about to lean in for a kiss goodbye when she speaks.
"Do you want to come in," she asks him shyly?
Now she feels like an idiot because she hasn't been shy around him all day. She is pretty sure he wants to. He hasn't been in a hurry to leave since they have been standing there, but until he moves, one direction or another, she won't know for sure.
His mind is shouting at him to tell her goodnight and leave, but his body and his heart have other ideas as he nods his head in response to her question, and follows her inside.
Inside her apartment now, they are both finding it difficult to replace the silence with words and feeling pretty silly about it. They both know what is coming next, but neither knows what to do in this moment.
Eddie hangs her purse on the hook by the door and decides to offer Jamie some wine. He gladly accepts and she heads to her kitchen to grab two glasses and a bottle of Merlot. Jamie takes the bottle from her as they sit down together on her couch and pours them each a glass.
She kicks her shoes off to get comfortable, taking a sip of her wine before setting her glass on the table in front of her. Jamie has already set his down, and as soon as her glass is free from her hands, she is about to tell him she had a wonderful time when he is lunging towards her.
She embraces his impact and his lips meet hers and he guides her down to the couch slowly. On her back now, with Jamie resting on top of her, she is feeling his taut shoulder muscles through his shirt and he is gently caressing her side.
His hand is inching up underneath her shirt slowly, moving dangerously close to her breast. He stops before he lets himself go there, and cups her side just below, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable, and not sure how far she is willing to go tonight. He wasn't even planning on going this far with her, but here they are.
She is sinking into her couch, and Jamie has moved from her lips to her throat and neck, feathering soft kisses from there down to the top of her chest, and those same moans are once again escaping her as she tilts her head back for him.
She pulls one leg up and splays it to the side slightly, making a better fit for him between her. They are both wondering how far the other is going and she bucks her hips gently into Jamie, giving him permission to continue.
He is thinking about pulling her shirt up and over her head, it's already inched up some when she reaches for the bottom of his. It won't pull over his head, it's still buttoned, but the feel of his warm skin on her stomach is about to drive her wild.
He works his way back up to her mouth and there is nothing but deep kisses in between panting breaths. She will go all the way with him tonight, and she can feel his excitement growing too, and then he pulls away, breathless and staring into her eyes.
They are both attempting to calm their breathing when he drops his head, looking away.
"I should go," he huffs.
She is definitely taken by surprise when he says that. She furrows her brows at him in confusion, wondering what just happened.
"I have to pick up Gracie…I'm sorry."
There is disappointment in his tone as he looks in her eyes again. He is hoping she is not upset, he didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he really needs to stop this before they go any further tonight.
She is insatiable, her lips swollen and red from his, and he wants to kick himself for not telling her goodbye at her door and ending it there. She understands, she knew he had to get his daughter, that was the reason they had met as early as they did, but she forgot when all she could think about was how badly she wanted to rip his clothes off of him.
"Right, I'm sorry," she says as she adjusts her top back into place.
She does look disappointed, and he can tell. She tries to hide it from him but she doesn't do a very good job.
"Hey," he tells her softly, as he brushes a strand of hair out of her face.
"I want this, believe me, I do," he assures her as he tries to compose himself to stand.
She nods at him, hoping he is telling her the truth and sits up. He is mad at himself as he can see the hurt in her eyes she is trying so hard to hide. That was the last thing he wanted. All he can do now is kiss her softly one more time before he leaves.
Eddie wishes she would have had more self-control earlier, she never should have invited him inside, she knew it was too soon, but she desperately wanted that connection with him, and she couldn't stop herself.
Now, as she sits alone in her living room, finishing her glass of wine from earlier, and the one Jamie left untouched, she hopes she didn't ruin this by moving too fast.
She is thinking about her conversation with Erin earlier in the week, and her concern about not wanting her brother to get hurt again, and now she is wondering what Jamie went through before. What happened to Gracie's mom, she never asked him? She needs to call Erin, she thinks. But she needs a shower first, maybe that will help.
Jamie is heading to his parents, still a little disheveled, hoping he can make it up to Eddie. He has to. This time when he gets there, his mother does have many questions, and she isn't going to let him leave without answers.
Gracie is already asleep so he can't even use the excuse to rush her home.
"How was your date son? You've seen her a few times now, right," his mother asks.
Jamie doesn't want to give too much away, but he knows his mother has no plans to stop tonight.
"Yeah, it was great," he tells her, trying to leave out the details.
She pries a little more and is able to get some of the answers she is looking for. She can tell Jamie has feelings for the woman he has been out with a few times recently and she is happy for him.
"So why wouldn't you just let us keep Gracie for the night? You didn't have to rush back here, you could have spent more time with her," she tells him.
Jamie lays it all out for his mother now.
"I really like her mom, and I think Gracie will too."
He is smiling, thinking about Eddie as he speaks.
"I just don't want to rush it, you know. Eddie deserves more than that. She really is special," he says.
His mother can tell her baby boy is falling in love with this woman, even if he doesn't see it yet. He does though, and it scares him. He is not sure he knows how to split his time between Gracie and Eddie, but his mother assures him that if Eddie is the woman he believes her to be, she will never expect him to.
Before Jamie can wake Gracie up to leave, his mother is telling him to bring her over next weekend and let her spend the night so that he can enjoy the entire evening with his new friend.
Jamie accepts the offer, he can make it up to Eddie this way, but not before his mom throws one last suggestion to him.
"And then, maybe we can meet her Sunday when you pick Gracie up," she says with hopeful eyes.
"Absolutely not," he smiles at her as he kisses her on the cheek before taking Gracie's things out to his car.
Eddie finished in the shower after taking the rest of the wine in with her because she needed courage for the phone call she was about to make to Jamie's sister. She knew she should be asking Jamie, but she thought it might be easier to talk to Erin first. It's not too late when she calls, so Erin answers on the first ring.
"Hey, didn't you have a date with my brother tonight," Erin giggles as she answers the phone.
"Yeah, I did," Eddie responds.
Erin can sense something in her voice, she is not sure what though, and hesitates before asking her next question.
"What's wrong, Eddie," she forces, hoping she doesn't get too much information.
She really doesn't want to be that involved in her brother's love life, but Eddie is her friend and she feels an obligation right now. Eddie wastes no time, mostly in part to the wine, and blurts out her question.
"What happened to Gracie's mom," she pauses for a second and then continues. "Did she die," she asks softly, waiting for Erin's answer.
There is silence on the other end of the line and Eddie is nervous for her response until Erin finally answers her.
"No, she didn't, but Eddie, you really need to talk to Jamie. It isn't my place to tell you about his past."
Eddie laughs to herself at that response since earlier this week, Erin had no problem blurting out that Jamie had a daughter, so why now was she all-of-a-sudden worried about honoring Jamie's privacy.
Eddie did feel bad for asking her, like she betrayed Jamie or something, so she was done with the questions. She was, however, relieved that it wasn't something so tragic.
It is getting late, and Eddie has gone to bed. She is trying to fall asleep, she is unsuccessful though, her mind still reeling from the events earlier that evening. She thinks about calling Jamie, or maybe texting him, just to tell him again she was thankful for everything he did for her today and how much she enjoyed spending time with him, but she stops herself.
She doesn't want to seem desperate and she is not sure what Jamie is thinking right now. Before she has a chance to think about it any further, her phone is ringing, her screen lighting up with Jamie's name, accompanied by those little hearts she added before.
She lets it ring three times before swiping the screen, giving herself a moment to gain her composure before she answers.
"Hello," she says softly, and she is greeted by Jamie's sweet voice on the other end.
He was going to ask her if he could see her next weekend, taking his mother up on her offer, but before he realizes what he is saying, he is asking if he can see her again tomorrow.
She is surprised, that was the last thing she expected him to say, but she is happy to hear those words.
"Can you come to Staten Island," he asks her, hopeful she will agree.
She was never going to say no. She is trying to contain her excitement when she realizes he is asking her to come to his house.
"I'd like to make you dinner," he finishes, anxiously waiting for her response.
"I'd love that," she tells him, and she can hear a sigh of relief through the phone and smiles to herself.
"Great. I'll meet you at the ferry at five."
Jamie is thankful that his sudden departure earlier hasn't seemed to cause any problems, and if it did, he has the chance to make it up to her now.
"Ok," she says joyfully.
There is a brief pause between them before Jamie speaks again.
"Eddie," he says, and then pauses again.
He is thinking about apologizing for earlier, he wants to explain, but then he decides it is better left for tomorrow when he can look her in the eyes to make sure she understands him. Before she can say anything, he is telling her to sleep well and that he will see her tomorrow. Now he has to call his mother back, but he already knows she will keep Gracie.