That Boy

I open it and there, surprise, surprise, is another charm. This one is a heart with little red stones scattered around the edges.

“Thanks,” I say, and before I can hug her, Mr. Mac hands me another box. I open it. It's a red capital N, for Nebraska football. “I love it,” I say, and give them both big hugs.

“Oh, JJ, I wish your mother were here to see you tonight,” she gushes and looks like she's going to cry. “You look just perfect.”

That's nice, but come on people, it's a first date. We probably don't need to go getting all emotional just yet. I know Phillip is going to a lot of trouble, but um, how 'bout we get past like the second date, before we go getting all teary eyed.

She gives me another hug, just as the nazi limo driver honks his horn again.

“That's my ride. And he's so polite. Um, do you guys know if I'm ever going to see my date? Did Phillip tell you where he's meeting me?”

“Oh, Doug, look at the time,” Mrs. Mac says, glancing at her watch. “We've got to get going.”

They hustle me out the front door and into the limo without answering my question.

I lean back in my seat, let out a big sigh and decide to have some more champagne. Is it just me, or are all the Mackenzies acting a little strange about this whole first date thing?

Is something going on here?

I feel like I'm missing something. It's nowhere near my birthday. And it's not like they are coming on our date, surely, he wouldn't have invited them. No. He said romantic. I must just be paranoid. They are simply excited that Phillip and I are finally together. And that's a nice thing. I wouldn't want to have in-laws who didn't like me.

God, there I go again. Actually thinking about marrying Phillip. Although, I guess it's not that big of a deal. I remember in high school always trying on a boy's last name, to see if it sounded okay. If it fit. Trying on a last name is very important because you wouldn't want to fall in love with some guy, only to find out that your name would end up something weird or all rhymey like Mary Barry, or worse, something gross like Je

Okay, so let's see. Just for fun.

Jadyn Reynolds-Mackenzie.

No. Too long.

JJ Mackenzie.

Jadyn James Mackenzie.

Not bad. Doable, I'd say.

All of a sudden, the driver stops the car. I look out to see that we are…....uh, where are we? I peer out the windows in all directions and determine that we are….definitely in the middle of nowhere.

Like all I can see is a gravel road and lots of corn.

Great, the limo driver is probably some psychotic serial killer, and now he's brought me out here to finish me off. Just as I'm thinking about my options, he startles me by lowering the window separating us. It's been up the entire trip.

Crap.

My purse wasn't big enough for pepper spray. Now what?

I smile at him sort of nervously. He smiles back and hands me a little box.

I open it and see that it's a cross charm.

I look outside again and realize that this is probably the exact spot where Phillip pulled off the road and yelled at me before his dad called us on the night my parents died. Well, actually, I may have yelled at him.

Hmm.

Not a particularly happy memory, but a strong one nonetheless. And definitely a time in my life when Phillip was there for me. He was my rock. I don't think I could have gotten through it without him.

I feel the car go forward, as the driver rolls the partition up.

Yippee. Maybe he's not going to kill me.

We drive for about half an hour. I can see that we are going back toward Omaha, and it even appears we are headed downtown.

Hopefully to the Piedmont and my date.

I look at my bracelet full of charms and think, this is nice and all, but doesn't it seem like a bit much for a first date?

Actually, it seems like a bit much for any date. Although, I don't think I could even categorize this as a date yet. Because technically, it takes two people to have a date, and I refuse to count the limo driver.

This has been more like a scavenger hunt.

Not exactly the romantic evening I had in mind.

Maybe this thing with Phillip isn't going to work out.

The limo driver pulls up to the Piedmont. The Piedmont is the coolest hotel in town. It's in an old historic building that was completely renovated. The doorman opens my door. I slide out and look around for Phillip.

Shit.

I don't see him, so I walk inside. I've never gotten to stay at this hotel, but if the lobby is any indication, the rooms must be beautiful. The lobby has a huge, high, old-fashioned tin ceiling. There are marble columns and crown molding that must be at least two foot thick.

A bellman walks over to me and hands me a note card.

What is this? And how the hell does he know who I am?

Just go with the flow, Jay, I tell myself, trying to stay calm.

I read the note. It says, Go up the elevator to the 16th floor.

No signature. No heart.

I get on the elevator and see from the sign that the restaurant is on the 16th floor.

I am telling you, if Phillip isn't there, I'm done with this date because I'm sick and tired of being on it alone!

The elevator doors open to a dimly lit hall that leads into the restaurant.

Still no Phillip.

Damn that boy!

Where the hell is he?

I mean, I'm not complaining, but I have been on this whole scavenger hunt date extravaganza thing for over two hours now, and I still haven't seen my date.

Okay, so maybe I'm complaining a bit, but I can't help it.

I want to be with him.

The maitre de is obviously expecting me because he says, “Miss Reynolds, please follow me,” and he leads me to a big, cozy, leather wrapped booth.

And guess what?

Phillip is actually here!

He sees me, give me a big grin, and stands up. He kisses my cheek sweetly, then lets me slide into the booth before him.

Finally! Some ma

“You're late,” he says.

I give him an angry look before he kisses me again.

He is teasing me, I think.

Phillip looks very handsome. He's got on a dark brown suit that matches his eyes. Under the suit, he's wearing a light blue shirt and a really cool brown, blue and orange tie. And I will admit, when I got here, I had my panties in a bit of a wad and was kinda irritated at Phillip. But the minute I looked at him, it all melted away. I'm pretty sure that means I do love him.

“You look incredible,” he tells me.

And I'm pretty sure he means it because his eyes are just riveted on me.

It makes me feel both nervous and powerful at the same time.

I think I could get away with just about anything in this dress.

Hmm. Maybe I'll give it a try.

“Well,” I tell him, shaking my head, “I have been having quite the date without you. How did you ever find a limo driver that was a former male dancer? He was so cute. It was like having my own mini bachelorette party before our date. It was really nice of you to let me get that out of my system before we get too serious. Thank you so much!” I say very sincerely and very full of shit.

“The limo driver danced for you?” Phillip asks in disbelief. For a second, I see a little jealousy cross that cute face of his.

“Isn't that why you hired him?” I ask i

“NO,” he says angrily, but then sees my smirk, grabs me, kisses me again and says, “You are so full of shit. I can't believe I just fell for that.”