I blinked. “You…you haven’t dated since the divorce?”
“No,” Thomas said. He swallowed. “I didn’t want to jump back in right away, you know,” he said. “The divorce was such a headache, it took all of my energy. I didn’t think that would be very fair.”
“I see.”
“And besides, it’s not going to be easy for Brett,” Thomas added in a low voice. He pulled the car over to a little area marked ‘valet.’ I blinked – the outside of Daniel was as beautiful as a luxury hotel.
“I know,” I said quietly. “He…he hasn’t been taking this well.”
“No,” Thomas said dryly. “And I’d want to ease him into the idea that I’m seeing someone.”
“Especially his teacher,” I added in a quiet voice.
Thomas laughed. “June, don’t worry about it,” he said. “This is just a first date. I’ll handle Brett, okay?”
I nodded.
A tuxedoed valet swooped down and pulled open the passenger door. I was careful to keep my knees together as I climbed out of Thomas’s fancy Porsche. Once I was on the ground, I wobbled once again and almost fell but steadied myself with a hand against the car.
“These are my roommate’s, too,” I said, giving a guilty glance down to my heels.
Thomas laughed. “I’d like to see your closet,” he said. “But I have to admit, that dress is perfect for you.” He reached out and swept my black hair across the nape of my neck. The slightest touch of his fingers made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and I shivered.
“Thank you,” I said softly. “That means a lot.”
Thomas grinned. He offered me his arm and after a moment, I accepted.
“Wouldn’t want you tumbling down,” he said with a smirk.
I blushed as Thomas led me inside. The inside of Daniel was breathtakingly beautiful, with elegant marble and gold fixtures everywhere I looked. The plush red carpet under my heels felt like walking on a lush bed of grass, and the ceilings were so high that I felt tiny, like a dwarf.
“Like it?” Thomas gave me a bemused smirk.
“I love it,” I said, craning my neck and glancing all around. “This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen!”
Thomas nodded. “I love it, too,” he said. “I hosted a business dinner here last month and everyone agreed that it was phenomenal. I hope you like escargot,” he added with a smirk.
I blushed. “I don’t know what that is,” I said quietly.
Thomas gave me a wicked grin. “We’ll order some and let you decide for yourself,” he said.
A beautiful brunette hostess gave Thomas a warm smile. When she saw me, it faded a little. She was poured into a tight black dress – much like the one I’d rejected from Angela – and as she led us to our table, I couldn’t help but notice that she was salaciously swinging her hips from one side to the other.
I had to bite the inside of my mouth so I wouldn’t roll my eyes. Thomas was so gorgeous that I knew he was probably used to this kind of attention, but that didn’t mean that I didn’t find it rude.
After we were seated, the brunette turned to Thomas and gave him a megawatt grin.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“No, thank you,” Thomas said. His voice was polite but his eyes were firmly fixed on me. I blushed hotly.
The hostess’s smile faded. “Of course,” she said. Then she turned on her heel and sashayed away, showing off her perfectly heart-shaped butt.
“She was pretty,” I said quietly once the hostess had left.
“I didn’t notice,” Thomas said. He winked at me. “I’m here with you, remember?”
I blushed.