Chapter 23
BLUE BIRD
I sat at the bar lining the windows, which flanked the cobblestoned street. It was a small dive, in a tiny town on Cape Cod. I was waiting for Him. My fingers drummed on my beer glass, as my nerves rattled.
We’d been talking for a long time, and, finally, I would get to meet him in person. I mean, I knew what he looked like, and I’d heard his voice, but this was the first time I would see him in real life.
I was beginning to worry. The darkness had begun to creep in outside, and perhaps he had decided not to come. My heart sunk a little, as the excitement dwindled, and the hurt came in, surrounding me in heaviness. He had been very slow to warm up to me; I’d had to nudge him quite a lot. I dropped my head. Perhaps it’s just that, online, I’ll never meet anyone. I tipped my glass to finish my drink.
I put my money and tip on the oak bar top and pulled my jean jacket on over my floral sundress. You’re silly, Jennifer. Dressing up for him. I started to walk out, and a hand grabbed my wrist. I yanked it away in anger.
“What the”
“You look stunning.” His voice made me physically shiver.
I stood looking at him, like a lovesick child.
“Will you sit with me?” he asked.
“Sir, I thought you’d stood me up.” I shied my eyes away from his. I didn’t want to show the emotion they would reveal. Many had told me I
was easy to read.
“I was here before you. Watching you.” His eyes crinkled softly as if amused by something.
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“I intended to call you over, but you are quite mesmerizing. I couldn’t help it.” He smiled.
“You just sat here and watched me, made me think you weren’t coming?” I said, upset and, quite honestly, I felt helpless. I wanted to walk out in anger.
“Just as I’d pictured.” His hand touched my chin and I pulled my face away. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, bluebird.”
When he said it out loud, my screen name, it made my belly flutter. His hand was gentle, and his face was genuine. Sir’s face and jaw were strong, his nose long and broad. His hair was dark brown, and starting to show signs of feathering gray around his ears. His eyes were a gray-green that softened his appearance.Text © owned by NôvelDrama.Org.
“Are you hungry, little one?” He signaled the waitress to come over.
“Um, I am, I guess.” My stomach rumbled in anticipation, answering for me. I rubbed my belly to silence it.
We ordered dinner and, as we waited, I tried to keep from staring at him. His calm and cool collectedness had me unnerved. Sir rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger, with a smile.
“What?” I asked impatiently.
“Nothing, you are more beautiful in person.”
I shifted uneasily in my chair. “Well, thank you, sir. I’m trying not to stare, myself.” My eyes met his and he laughed.
“You are kind, as always.”
The waitress came and freshened our drinks, placing another beer in front of me, and a darker ale in front of him. “Your dinner will be right up,” the woman said cheerily.
“So, Jennifer, what should we talk about?”
I smiled. I wanted him to lead the conversation. He was the same in person as online. Should I have been surprised? “Not sure, sir. I was hoping you had some ideas.”
“Oh, I have ideas, little blue bird.” He winked with a little mischief in his eyes.
A rumble of excitement coursed through my veins. He’d said no sex on our first meeting, but it didn’t stop my clit from throbbing. When we had chatted, he’d told me all the things he wanted to do to me. Some I’d never done – ok, many I’d never done. But the thrill of the unknown was enough for me.
Our food arrived, and I looked around the small room it was packed. As I ate, I was impressed at how delicious the fare was. My manners escaped me, as I ate a little faster, and more than I’d intended. I was extremely nervous and had been unable to eat during the day.
Sir leaned on his elbow, and I caught him watching me. I froze mid-bite, and my heart began to race.
“Sorry,” I set the remainder of my burger down, wiping the juices from my hands with my napkin.
“No need to be sorry. Did you not eat today?” I shook my head, no.
“Well, you know you need to take care of yourself. That is one of my rules.”
“Yes, sir. Honestly, I was too nervous,” I admitted.
He nodded. “Your nerves have settled now, I see.”
“Yes, that, and my stomach sort of took over,” I laughed, which made him chuckle as well.
He reached out and touched the corner of my mouth, whisking away some sauce. “There is nothing to be nervous about. We’ve talked plenty of times. Only now, it isn’t behind a screen.”
“I know. I just want to make sure I say the right thing.” My eyes left his. I hated showing my insecurity like that.
He chuckled. “Listen, there is no wrong thing to say. The truth and your opinion are important. Understood?”
I nodded, taking a breath that expanded my lungs. Before I was, perhaps, only taking short pulses of air, and his words soothed me.
“Finish up, little one. I want to show you something.”
Nodding, I nibbled a little more on the fries, but my stomach seemed sated. I finished my drink and thanked him for dinner. Leaving for the bathroom, I told him I would meet him out front.
I couldn’t find him, so I checked my phone; no messages. I scanned the front again and then went outside. I tugged my jacket around myself. It had become cooler than I had expected, and wearing a dress seemed sillier than before. I noticed the wooden sign for the restaurant blowing slightly in the wind a baseball catcher. Simple, like Sir.
“God, you are beautiful.” His words startled me.
“I was wondering where you were.”
“You said, ‘meet me out front.'” He repeated my words.
I shook my head and said, “Where are we off to?” changing the subject.
Sir looked me over from head to toe again, with an approving smile.
I tingled all over, and suddenly felt like a girl on a first date, with butterflies in my belly. A warm flush filled my cheeks, and I was grateful for the dark sky. The wind swept my auburn hair, and I brushed it from my face.
“Let’s take my car. Is that alright?”
“Yes, sir.” I followed him to a Honda Civic; it was sleek and silver and outshone my ten-year-old Camry.