After some discussion and planning, Saturday evening turned out to be a lovely night.
"I wanted to thank you for dinner and for well," she smiled and chuckled, "the very odd request to help me Christmas shop," she told him as she reappeared in her living room after hiding the Christmas gifts she had purchased.
Andy, who was there waiting by her mantle as he looked at the few photos she had on display, turned toward her as she reappeared and grinned.
"It was my pleasure. I'm happy I could help. I had no idea Barbie was such a big industry, that and Legos," he chuckled. Sharon nodded as she crossed the room and then crossed her arms as she walked up to the mantle.
"I'm glad I was able to finish most of my shopping for her. It's so hard when she's with me most of the time, and even ordering online, she is so inquisitive and wants to know what every package is at the door," she sighed, shaking her head.
"She's a great kid, Sharon," he nodded to her, the two close, but with enough distance she didn't feel like he was encroaching on her space.
"Thanks," she said in a nod as she looked to the floor. "I'm trying. I love her so much and almost can't remember my life without her in it. I sometimes still wonder if I did the right thing, picking up and leaving California, all she's known, but-"
"But?" Andy asked, and with that, she glanced to him as he prodded her to speak. "I mean, from what I see, she seems to love it here, the snow, her school. I know it's hard to move, but from what you told me, you left a very difficult situation where you were always under the microscope for things your ridiculous ex did, and you decided you deserved a fresh start, which you did. Kids pick up on things, and she would have picked up on the tension, frustration, all of it. Sorry," he raised his hand in defense. "It's not my place."
"No," she reached out and touched his arm, "thank you for saying that. It's nice to hear a voice of reason when I get to doubting myself."
He nodded, and the two glanced down where she'd touched his arm. Up until this point, he'd not had much of any physical contact with her, other than very briefly putting his hand at her back to allow her into buildings first. He'd been respectful, as painful as it was, of boundaries she might have. All he'd wanted to do was to finally kiss her, but he'd held back, fearful anything would set him, set them back from what could be.
"Well," he said quietly in a low voice, still looking down to where she had her hand and had not removed it, "I'm awfully glad you moved here." At that, the two glanced at each other. He thought he heard her hum slightly, but they locked eyes just briefly. He could almost feel the mood grow tense, so he quickly tried to liven it with a joke. "I mean, I've dated all the women in town, so thanks for being a new one here."
She looked to him, and he could see a brief almost horror cross her eyes before she met his, smiled, and then started to laugh.
"Yeah, I'm joking, promise," he said, taking one small step closer to her and very softly squeezing her shoulder. Something about that seemed to relax the two of them. They stood quietly, looking at each other, and he spoke again, "Sharon, I really enjoyed tonight. Hopefully, you understand I'm not some guy who needs some impressive list of places to go or things to do. I had a great time eating with you and shopping. Really, I did. I just enjoy spending time with you."
"I really did too," she said with a firm nod. Neither was sure who reached for the other's hand first, but the two were now close enough to do so, hands clasped at their side, and each stepped in for a kiss. It was a slow, lingering kiss, and both smiled at the other as they separated.
That time, Andy did hear her hum as they stepped briefly away from each other. He grinned at her, and she smiled, but also blushed at him. "I like that, too, kissing you, I mean," he admitted quietly. She nodded, still almost looking like she was shying away from things, but she did finally make eye contact with him.
"I did too," she said in almost a faint voice.
"I know you have to pick up Evie soon from her parent night out group at your church," he said quietly. At that, it was almost as if Sharon snapped back into reality and she glanced down at her watch, her hair cascading as she moved her head. "Right, yes, she's done in a half hour."
"Then, I'm going to go and call this second date," he paused until she looked up from her watch, and he winked at her, "a success."
She smiled widely when he said that and nodded, "I suppose it was, a second date, I mean."
"You survived," he shrugged, "and," he nodded to himself, "I have it on good authority, you will be receiving a callback for another date."
She really laughed at that, and he loved watching her smile and laugh. When her eyes met his, he shrugged again, "What can I say? I don't get to Christmas shop for a great kid that often, and her mom is absolutely amazing company."
"Well," she said nodding, "I might be about done with her shopping."
"He stepped toward her again, this time, brushing her hair from her face, as he leaned in closer, "well, then, we will just have to make a date about us, about whatever we want to do-movie, ice skating-"
"Ice skating?" Sharon laughed with the two of them standing closely, as he put his hand at her waist and she wrapped her hand around his arm.
"Oh, yeah," he nodded. "Big thing up here, so California girl, get ready," he said. With that, the two kissed again, and they stood like that for several seconds, just enjoying the moment.
"I'll call you, I mean, if that's still okay?" Andy asked.
Sharon nodded as he stepped back, "I'd really like that, and Andy," she said as he had started to gather his gloves which were on top of the mantle. He turned in a smile and she continued, "You don't have to ask about calling me. I'm in."
He grinned broadly at her statement, and he stepped toward her again, as if he hadn't just been there kissing her seconds before. He cupped her face and kissed her again. Sharon pulled him closer as she did.
This time, the two tried to catch their breaths as their foreheads touched. She looked up at him, "If you would like to come over for dinner tomorrow, it's simple-pizza, Evie's request on Sundays, but I'd really like that. I know I've gone from total apprehension to this, but I really enjoy being around you and am comfortable with you."
"I could have told you you'd feel that way days ago, but it's okay. It's hard to resist me when you've been around me," Andy winked at her. She playfully smacked at his shoulder, and he continued, "I'd love to come have pizza. It's better than having a frozen dinners with Pop at his place."
"Oh, gosh, I don't mean to take you from him-" Sharon started to say, but she stopped when he held up his hand and shook his head.
"Sharon, it's fine. I see him all the time. I'd absolutely enjoy pizza tomorrow evening here. Oh," he said, as he put on his coat and looked toward her, "just for the record, I don't date a lot, not much at all."
"Alright," she said with a warm smile and almost a resolve in her voice. Well, I will see you tomorrow evening. I will follow you out so I can go get Evie."
"Can I pick up a pizza on my way over tomorrow?" Andy asked as they both walked to their cars.
"Andy, I invited you over; I didn't ask you to bring us dinner," she said gesturing at him with her free hand as she reached her car door.
"I offered," he winked as he opened the door to his. "Let me know the toppings or I'll bring some of everything. You deserve to be spoiled, and granted, bringing over a pizza isn't some five-star kind of dining, but I'm going to bring it. Counting the hours until tomorrow, Sharon. Night."
With that, Sharon watched as he backed out, giving him a small wave. She sighed and bit her lip as she thought about the nice evening they had had, even in spite of all the worrying she'd done all week. He was a good kisser. She thought of that instantly, and that made her first blush, then smile. Maybe this move was just what she needed.