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Chapter 25

The date-part one

Tobias' POV

My eyes linger on her white, very wet tee shirt. The fabric clinging to her skin, showing me exactly what I have been missing underneath the material. I swallow past the lump in my throat, fighting the urge to reach out and take her in my arms and do to her what I have been dreaming to do to her for years. Imagining her body tensing under mine, moving with mine as our lips taste each other for what I could only hope would be hours. Making sure that she is nice and sore the next morning. I reach out, ready to pull her close to me, wanting her to feel what exactly she does to me. But my hand comes up empty and the room that was her kitchen turns into my cold and dark condo. I'm standing shocked and alone, looking everywhere for Tris and Emily. My heart drops, where could they have gone. I call over and over for them both, searching every nook and cranny for either one of them. I step into the master bedroom, finding the person staring back at me in the mirror is not Tris or Emily, but myself angry and bitter.

"You fucked up. You lost them." He screams, bursting with anger.

"No!" I call out in disbelief. I sit up suddenly in a pool of my own sweat. I try to catch my breath, looking around for clarity at where I am. I realize I'm back in my hotel room, in the same bed and in the same now wet clothes that I passed out in.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my courageous ass. My mind keeps going back to that nightmare… I fucked up, I lost them both… I can't lose them. I won't. Determined, I climb out of bed, heading towards the shower. I refuse to live without my family.


I check my watch for what must be the thousandth time in the past five minutes. I take a deep breath and step out of the car that I rented for the night. I figured it would be better than using a Lyft service or walking tonight. I shake my head, knowing that sooner than later I will have to cut lose my ties with New York and arrange for my move back to Chicago. The thought of even having to leave to go back to New York for the length of time that it would take me, makes me sick. I hate the thought of being so far away from Tris and Emily. But I know the longer I put it off the worst it will get. After all, I can't go on living in a hotel any longer, let alone not have my own permanent means of transportation.

I reach the door in no time at all. I take a deep breath and knock on the door. I can't help but feel like there is a lot riding on tonight. Although this isn't mine and Tris' first rodeo together it is our first date out in Public. Seeing that we had to keep our relationship a secret before, we could never be seen in public together. A sacrifice we both were more than willing to make so we could be together.

The door swings open, roughly. I smile, regardless of who answers the door. No one can ruin the mood I'm in tonight. No one.

"It's you." Chris says, grumpily.

"Well hello to you too, Christina," I say, trying to sound more friendly than sarcastic. But I'm not having much luck with that mission.

"Whatever!" She says, "So you finally grew some balls and decided to take the mother of your child out for a real meal." She spits out. Obviously, Chris isn't one of my biggest fans. Come to think about it, she never was. "Hopefully it's a decent dinner, seeing that it's many years late?" I press my lips together tightly, trying to hold back any unkind words I may have for her. Not wanting to ruin the night by being an ass.

"You better do her good this time. Or else you will have to deal with me. I may be small, but I'm lethal." Thankfully the sound of little feet running about distracts us both as we turn to see Emily and Junior both running about the house.

Perhaps it was wrong of me to assume that Tris could get away so easily. Maybe I should have planned something better for the three of us. Like a family outing. Maybe that's why Christina is so sour, because of having to stay home and babysit. I contemplate that thought for a moment, knowing damn well that that's not it.

"Four! Four! Four!" Emily screams out, as she runs into my arms. "Did you come to play with me?" She asks, excited.

"No baby, he came to play with Mommy." Chris answers for me. I can't help but give her an angry look in response. What the hell, Chris?

Just before I could respond to her, I heard the sound of Tris' voice coming from the back of the house. I bite my tongue, not wanting to look like an Ass to a date that hasn't even begun. There is no chance in hell I will let Chris or anyone else for that matter mess this up.

"Hey, Four…. You, Miss Emily, should be taking a bath." Tris says, smiling wider than ever. My eyes can't help but rake over her body, noticing every curve, every delicious inch that I would love nothing more than to touch at this moment. Her skintight blue jeans hug her ass so good; it calls to my hand. Her black top just hangs off of her like a curtain waiting to be open, so I can fondle her breasts. And her shoes, now I'm not typically a shoe guy… but I would kill to have those heels wrapped around me, digging into my back.

I swallow hard, placing Emily down on her feet before she runs to her mother and hugs and gives her a kiss goodnight before she heads up stairs and takes her bath. I watch the sweet interaction, internally smiling at my family. Knowing that this is exactly where I want to be.

Before long Tris closes and locks the door behind her. I don't know exactly what Chris said to her, but I can see the sour look on her face that she is fighting back. I recall what Christina had just muttered minutes ago about my presence and that was in front of me. I fear what damper she may have put on the night with whatever she said to Tris. I awkwardly dig into my pockets, as we walk side by side to the car. I contemplate on whether to say something or nothing at all. Perhaps giving Tris a little space to process whatever Christina just said is best.

"You look gorgeous." I decided to say. Hoping that my words will get us back on track.

"Thank you." Tris says, finally smiling up at me. I let go of my breath that I didn't realize I was holding as I reached out and opened the passenger side door for her. I get a whiff of her perfume as she climbs in, I clear my throat as if clearing the fog out of my head and close the door behind her. I find myself hurrying around the car, nearly fighting with myself to keep a steady pace and not just run for it. Wanting to be as close as possible to smell her again.

"Your car?" Tris asks, confused.

"A rental for the night. Thought that would be better than a Lyft," I answered nervously. Get your shit together Tobias.

"Really? You know we could have just taken my car?" She points out.

"The thought crossed my mind…" And then I decided I wanted to feel the road under my control again.

"So where to?" She asks, as I pull out of the driveway.

"Well, there is this place I have been dying to try out. Everyone has been talking about it. Should be fun," I answer, not wanting to give too much away.

"Oh okay." She speaks. We fall into a comfortable silence as we make our way to the highway with some soft, low music to fill the background noise. It's not long after I merge onto the highway that I nearly jump out of my seat when I feel Tris' soft hand on mine. I have been so out of place… Not wanting to rush things, I had decided that I would let her take the lead tonight. Hand holding, kissing, hugs, etc, all of it is left to her. Balls are in her court. No pressure.

"You look tense." She mentions.

"I just…" I begin, letting my words trail off. Honestly, I don't know how to tell her how I feel. It's been so long.

"I know. But tonight, let's just forget about the past few years and just… focus on now… On us." She says, her head leaning against the headrest.

"I can do that," I responded, smiling wider than ever. I can definitely do that. I squeeze her hand a little tighter as if to let her know I agree. It's in that instant that I find myself actually relaxing, or like cruising rather than racing. Tris seems to be at ease as she glances between me and out her window. Never once letting go of my hand. I love the feel of her small hand in mine. It's been too long.

I'm taken by surprise at how fast we get to the shorelines. Zeke told me on a good day it can take some time, but tonight there doesn't seem to be a lot of traffic at all. I park at what feels like the last empty space in the parking lot. The parking lot is surrounded by hanging lights, lighting up the pathway to the beach and to the entrance of the restaurant. Loud music is playing, as cheers are heard from a distance and for a moment, I panic thinking that maybe the place is too loud for what we need.

"Here?" Tris asks, in shock. Omg, The dock at Montrose Beach?

"Yeah, Zeke and a few others suggested it to me. They said the place is great and the food is even better." I answer, feeling the nervousness in my stomach again. "If this…"

"No. No… I have been dying to try this place out." She blurts out, not wanting to let me change plans at the last minute. She squeezes my hand in encouragement as we begin to walk towards the path. Halfway down I can feel Tris' hesitation set in, for a moment I begin to think perhaps this was a bad idea after all.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

"Umm, yeah. Just…" She says, shaking the sand out of her shoes. It's then that I remember she is wearing open toe shoes with a heel. Definitely not something to wear in the sand unless you want to get a twisted ankle or something. Without a second thought, I bend over scooping her up into my arms. Tris squeals in surprise as she wraps her arms around my neck as I begin to walk with caution on the sand path.

"You know I could have just taken my shoes off?" She whispers into my ear.

"But then I wouldn't have had the excuse to have you in my arms." I told her. Our eyes are lost in each other. I feel the heat between us as the chemistry bubbles in the air around us. We arrive at the entrance before we can lose ourselves in the moment. Which is probably for the best for now. Knowing that we agreed to get to know each other again for who we are now and not get lost in the lust and intimacy of it all. Intimacy? I wonder if there will be? Shut up, Tobias. Don't go there. I slowly lower her to the floor, not letting go of her until she has full balance of her feet.

We are greeted quickly by a tall blonde hostess. I don't miss how she looks more towards me and less at Tris as she both greets and walks us to a table. I scratch the back of my neck as I notice that we actually somehow landed a table on the floor level near the stage. I nearly lose it when I catch Tris giving the hostess the stink eye.

"So what should we get?" I ask, trying to get us back on track. I raise my voice a little louder than I would normally so she can hear me over the music. The band is a small garage band, with its four members and two singers at the mic.

"Whatever you want?" Tris shouts back, smiling as she jumps in her seat to the beat of the music. Instead of screaming back a suggestion, I simply just point to an item on the menu.

DOCKAMOLE- chips and a house guacamole.

Tris nods her head smiling, agreeing to the suggestion to start with. Before long a waiter arrives, and I'm pleased when it's actually a man and not another woman wanting my attention. I point towards the item on the menu that we both agreed on and then for myself I choose a draft beer and point towards Tris for her drink order. I watch as her eyes look over the drinks quickly before she points towards a Pina Colada. The waiter shakes his head with a thumbs up as he writes our order down. The music dies down, giving the waiter a quick moment to let us know that he will get that in and it will be right out.

We order our main courses when the waiter comes back out. Letting him know we wanted the family size portion of the fish tacos to share. It seemed right for this occasion. Sharing is caring, they say.

It feels like no time has passed as the music continues on, the food is delicious, and the drinks keep coming. I have a hard time wondering if Tris is tipsy or getting there by the way she says in her seat. She's a lightweight for sure.

"Alright this last one is for all you couple out there. We are going to take it nice and slow." The woman at the mic says. The rhythm has a slow beat as promised, many of the couples stand and make their way to the dance floor. I glance at Tris across from me, she has her hands on her lap swaying her body side to side, smiling at the others. I stand, holding my hand out for her to take. Her mouth gaps open in shock, when have I ever asked her to dance? Without a second thought she quickly grabs a hold of my hand and begins to stand. I almost rethink my decision to dance with her as I see she struggles to stand on her own two feet. But determined enough she finally stands, waddling towards the floor she twirls with her arms stretched out, nearly knocking another couple over. She quickly covers her mouth with her hand, apologizing before forgetting about the whole thing and wrapping her arms around my neck. A little tighter than I would like.

"You know as much as I love your arms around me," I begin.

"Yes." She says, breathlessly.

"I also would like to breathe a little," I joke.

"Oh." She says, letting go. I feel the instant relief in my neck and lungs. Before realizing that her hands have somehow found their way to my ass. Both of them. My eyes just about bug out of their sockets, surprised by her action.

"You know that's my ass, right?" I ask, whispering into her ear.

"And it's just as firm as it was back then." She says, smirking. She gently lets go, placing one hand on my chest and the other gently on my neck.

"Thank you…." She says, smiling in appreciation.

"For what?" I ask, confused.

"For tonight. This has been… So nice. To be out in Public with you for once. A night out away from… everything." She stutters.

"Well, any time. The company isn't too bad either. Plus…. Don't thank me yet. The night has only just begun," I say, she can't possibly think this is all there is.

"Oh really?" She asks, wondering what more could I possibly do. "I'm not sleeping with you." She declares.

"I wasn't going to ask you to," I point out, smiling as I turn her.

"Or doing anything else." She says, her eyes squinting with suspicion.

"Good to know." I answer, short and sweet. "What about a few kisses?" I ask.

"What are we negotiating here?" She asks, joking.

"Just checking my options."

"Maybe. If you're lucky." She says her smile is bigger than it was before. Obviously telling me that I will be lucky tonight for those.

To be continued.


A/N

Remember Patience is a virtue. Did you really think we were going to make it that simple?

Tune in next week for part 2

Revised by: FDFobsessed

Like always, happy reading everyone, be safe and stay healthy,

Trini