were meeting again. I left out the part where I ditched out in the middle of our first date.
I headed downtown but had trouble finding a parking spot that I’d be comfortable returning to after dark, so I was just a couple minutes late when I walked into the restaurant. I looked around, hoping he would be there and that I wouldn’t have to sit and wonder if he was going to stand me up as penance. But I spotted him when he stood and held up a hand in greeting. A thrill raced through me at the sight of him. He was average height and fit, with a military-short haircut.
I walked over, my hands absently running down the sides of my jeans to fend off the nervousness. “Hi,” I said as I stopped in front of him.
“Hi,” he said with a smile that might have made lesser women cry. Then he reached for a hug and I did my best to return it, unused to people randomly hugging me. “I’m glad you could make it.” He swept a hand toward the table. “Is this okay?”
“Yes. It’s perfect. Thank you,” I said, scooting into the booth and shoving my purse into the corner. I tucked my hair then looked up. I still felt terrible about the way I’d left last night, so I pressed my hands together and sandwiched them between my knees in an effort to get them to stop shaking. “I think I owe you an apology.”
His left eyebrow and the left corner of his mouth curled up in an open, curious expression. “Why’s that?”
“Last night I was rude.”
“But you already apologized for that.”
“Right, but—”
“No buts,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m just glad you were willing to come out with me tonight.”
That was really nice of him, but I wanted him to understand what had happened. “Can I explain?”
“I’d love to hear anything you have to say.” He sat back and sipped his water, giving the appearance that he had all the time in the world for me.
Here went nothing. “My friend drinks too much.”
He frowned. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Sometimes he drinks way too much, and for some reason when he gets that way, I’m the only one he’ll listen to.”
“So you go take care of him?”
“Yeah.”
He nodded, seeming to accept my words at face value. “Does he have a name?”
“Sean.”
“How long have you known him?”
“Since high school. We met in choir.”
The concerned frown went away, replaced by a pleased smile. “You sing?”
I shook my head. “I used to, but now it’s just for fun.”
“Fun singing is still singing.”
I shrugged. “What about you? Are you musical?”
“Not at all. No one wants to hear my version of music. I’m more than happy to just listen.” He pushed up his long sleeves to his elbows and I caught a glimpse of a tattoo on his forearm. It looked like some sort of shield or coat of arms.
The server came by and took our drink order and then left.
I nodded toward his arm. “What’s that?”
He looked down, trying to figure out what I meant.
“The tattoo,” I clarified.
“Oh, it’s for my unit.”
“Unit?”
“Yeah.” A wistful smile crossed his lips. “It seems like tattoos just tend to happen when you’re in the military.”
“You’re in the army?”
“Was. I was discharged almost two years ago.”
“How long were you in?”
“I completed my four-year contract and then got out.”
“Didn’t want to make a career out of it?”
He shook his head. “I’m grateful for my time in the service, but it takes a toll and I was ready to focus on something else.”
I wanted to ask him more about it, but he seemed like he was done talking. “Do you have any other tattoos?” I asked instead.
“One other.”
“Is it an army one as well?”
“No, it’s a personal one.”
I waited a moment, hoping he would expound, but he didn’t. Maybe I’d pry the info out of him later.
“What about you?” he asked. “Are you inked anywhere?”
“Oh, no,” I was quick to say. “Needles and I do not get along.”
“That’s too bad.”
I quirked an eyebrow at him. “Why? You think I need body art?”
He quickly shook his head. “No, your skin is flawless. I wouldn’t want you to cover it.”
Holy flaming cheeks, I could not believe he said that so casually and then just went on as if he hadn’t given me the best compliment ever.
“I meant it was too bad because I’m studying to become an acupuncturist, so needles kind of are my thing.”