I chuckle at the sarcasm, and continue. “Derrick didn’t mind. Actually, it was going great, we’d gotten our tapas order in and were sharing more about ourselves. Derrick was flirting with me pretty hardcore, but I liked it.”
“You seem to like everything he does,” Elise says, but there’s not too much jealousy there. “At least tell me he’s hung like a peanut so I don’t have to kill you.”
“Sorry, you’re just gonna have to kill me,” I joke back. “But, you’ll love him too when you hear what happened next. Kevin showed up.”
“That son of a bitch,” Elise growls. “Bastard better be glad I wasn’t there, I’d have castrated him with a broken beer bottle.”
I don’t doubt it, and that’s why I love her so damn much. “Derrick wasn’t too happy either. But he was so fucking awesome. First, he let me handle it, just having my back. But when Kevin crossed the line . . . Derrick handed him his ass.”
“Is that so?” Elise comments, impressed. “Well then babe, I’m starting to like Derrick more and more. Anyone who stands up for my girl is worth a thank you grope.”
“Uh huh, hands off my man. This morning we went to brunch and he introduced me to Jacob Knight . . . as his girlfriend.”
“Jacob Knight the football stud?” Elise says, whistling. “Phew, that’s a lot of man there. I’ve heard rumors about him too. Let’s just say the man knows his way around the field, in football and with women.”
“Maybe, but he was a total gentleman with me. As we were leaving, he even said he’d get me a ticket to join Derrick and his father for an upcoming game. I’m . . .I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m excited to go to a football game!”
“Sounds like you’d be excited to go to a demolition derby if it was with Derrick,” Elise says. “Maybe he can use that sexy radio voice to tell you all the plays step by detailed step . . .” She mimics a sultry seductress tone, “the tight end grabs the ball, tugging it close to his body, and letting loose a burst of speed as he thrusts toward the end zone. Touchdown. Oh my . . . the celebratory champagne seems to have spilled all over his sweaty body. Bubbles popping . . . everywhere.”
I erupt into giggles at her silly antics. “Holy shit, Elise. That’s some upper level imagination there, and I didn’t know you had that voice. You never told me you were a phone-sex operator, but I’d believe it now. Were you undercover for a story, or just needing a bit of extra cash?”
She laughs back, taking my teasing in stride, “Whatever. You try that voice on Derrick and he’ll be eating out of your hand . . . or whatever orifice you want him to eat out.” We’re both quiet for a moment, the laughter giving way but the smile still stretching my face. “But seriously, babe, if I didn’t know any better . . .”
“What?” I ask, curious where she’s going now after her little tangent.
“Nothing, it’s just, what do you feel for him? What’s happening with you two?”
I bite my lip, chewing thoughtfully as I try to figure out the words. “Elise, since getting together with Derrick, I feel like a little bit of that darkness inside me is starting to fade. He’s a gentleman, with a naughty streak a mile wide that he still respects me with. He’s protective, he’s kind, he listens when I bore the shit out of him talking about work . . . I think I’m falling for him. Hard.”
“Whoa. You sure babe? I mean, I’m happy as fuck for you, but . . . you’re you. And no offense, but this sounds awfully fast. I mean, considering what you’ve been through.”
“I know, which is part of what scares the hell out of me. There’s no logic in this, and I need a balanced pro/con sheet to feel like life makes sense. He’s a radio personality with a sports background. I’m going to be reading Football For Dummies so I can understand the damn game I’m invited to. He’s tall and built like a Greek statue. I’m . . . well, like you said, I’m me.”
“So you’re scared,” Elise says. “You’re going by your guts and not your brains.”
“And you know what happens when I let my heart get involved,” I reply. “What if D’s just like every other man I’ve let inside?”
“He could be, but he could also be the guy who might give you what you most totally deserve,” Elise says. “A happy ever after.”
“A happy ever after? Those are for cheesy romance books and fairy tales.”
Elise snickers and raises her voice, singing. “When you wish upon a star . . ..”