Date in the Dark (6 page)

Her cheeks fill with a crimson color. With a
hand over my chest, I cringe. “It hurts that you had very little
faith in me.”

I chance a glance in Allie’s direction to see
her starting at me with wide eyes and her lips pinched together.
Slowly, I let a grin appear.

“Ugh,” she groans, and I laugh.

“You could have just told Harold to ask
someone else to help you.” I tell her. “It might have helped with
all the stress.”

“Yes, I could have.”

“But you didn’t”

“No.”

“Why?” I keep my eyes on her as I wait for
her answer.

When she finally looks my way, I’m rendered
speechless at the softness in her eyes. “I think you know exactly
why.”

I swallow hard and nod as we pull up outside
her apartment building. I park in the spot closest to the door she
needs and kill the engine.
She likes me.
But why would she
turn me down? I unbuckle my seat belt and reach for the door.

“You don’t have to walk me inside, really.
You can watch from here.” Her voice is soft and has a hint of
something that has me not believing a single word she says. If
she’s embarrassed about what she said, she has no reason to be.

“And make you walk in the cold and darkness,
alone, all the way to the front door? Yeah, I don’t think so.” I
get out of the truck and jog around the front of my truck to open
the passenger door for her.

“Well thank you, good sir,” she says in what
I hope isn’t her best British accent. If it is, she really needs to
practice. Her foot slips on the icy running board and she falls
into my arms. It’s almost a scene straight out of a movie and it
hits like déjà vu from last week in the storage room. I’m starting
to think this woman is making it a point to fall into my arms. I
smile down at her.
I wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I swear I know how to stay on my own two
feet.” I can feel her warm breath against my neck as she talks.
“This won’t be a regular thing.” She straightens herself in my arms
but doesn’t back away. Instead she looks up at me and locks her
eyes on mine. The intensity and want that radiates off them gives
me courage.

“That’s too bad.” I whisper into her ear and
she blushes.

“Why?” she ask, letting her warm body brush
against my skin.

“I like having you close to me.”

Her breath picks up, and with my finger I
tilt her chin until she’s looking into my eyes again. Instantly
they start searching for something. When she’s found what she was
looking for, her lips part slowly, calling my attention to
them.

Her eyes close and I’d be a fool to not to
take my chance. I can feel her breathing against my lips when
suddenly my whole body is shoved away.

“Bell! Down!” Kelly comes screaming out the
front doors of the apartment building. “I’m so sorry!” She keeps
yelling as she runs toward us. Bell jumps up once again and hits me
with her front paws. Being the full size dog she is, I take a step
back and slip on a patch of ice, falling to the ground. Allie
releases a small scream and then covers the laughter with her
hand.

“Bell!” she says, moving her hand quickly
then putting it back over her lips. The dog responds instantly to
her voice and wags her tail until she’s in front of Allie. “Sit,”
she says, and Bell complies, looking at me from her spot with a
proud gleam in her eye. Not that I was worried, but at least I know
Allie is safe with this dog.

“Oh my gosh! Are you okay?” Allie reaches out
to help me.

Both women are now laughing at me as I push
myself off the ground. Brushing the snow and dirt off my pants, I
make my way toward Allie. Kelly is still standing silently from the
sidewalk.

Once we’re toe to toe, I look into her eyes.
All hints of happiness leave and a heated look fills its place. I
reach up slowly and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Goodnight, Allie. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I
whisper, press my lips to her cheek, and then get in my truck. With
a glance in my rearview mirror, my heart pounds at the sight of
Allie watching me drive away.

Now, let’s get this date night over with.

Chapter Seven

Allie

“Welcome, everyone!” A woman’s perky voice
fills the room with a tone louder than normal. “My name is Liz, my
husband and I own The Blind Date Restaurant Bar and Grill, and I’m
excited to have you all here tonight. Can everyone hear me
alright?”

The room fills with a variety of tones
replying “yes” and my body jumps when the person who I assume is at
my table joins in on the reply. His voice is deep and I get the
chills like I’ve heard it before, but I can’t place it. From the
coffee shop maybe? Or the deli across from the library? I shake the
thought from my head. The chances of me actually knowing my date
are about as good as him being
the one
.

It’s probably just my body being on high
alert after the moment I had with Parker tonight. It was hot. He’s
hot. The mood he put me in doesn’t even have a name. It’s better
than eating as much chocolate as I want without gaining a pound.
Whoever this gentleman across from me is, he’s one lucky guy to get
me in this type of mood. I take a deep breath. No more thinking of
Parker. This mysterious guy in front of me deserves my full
attention.

Crap
. What if I need to use the
restroom?

My head twists in all angles and I blink a
few times, willing my eyes to adjust even a little to the darkness.
I can’t see a thing in this room. How am I going to know where to
go?
I’m definitely going to break something.

“Great!” the loud woman’s voice continues.
“First off, I’d like to thank all of you for turning your mobile
devices off. I think it’s amazing you’ve decided to take this
journey. Dating in the dark is a great way to heighten your senses.
Each of you will become more aware of your surroundings, and the
dark lets you get to know a person on a deeper level. One I hope
you’ll find more alluring than appearance. Now, I do hope that each
and every one of you will continue to see each other after these
three short evenings, but until then, now is your chance to get to
know one another.”

I hear someone clap and assume it’s Liz
because her voice gets higher as she continues to speak.

“Each night there will be something different
to do. Tonight, you’re going to take a step back in time and play a
game very similar to twenty questions. From my own experience,
people are more willing to answer honestly when they don’t have to
make eye contact with the person who’s asking the questions. Of
course, if you choose to take a different approach to get to know
your date, that’s fine too.”

A small amount of laughter fills the room,
reminding me I’m not the only one here tonight, and my nervousness
starts to fade.

“The wait staff will take great care of
everyone and they’ll explain anything you need when they arrive at
your table. Okay, everyone! Good luck!”

The room grows silent once again. A couple of
throats clear, and to my left I hear a clinking noise and then
class breaking against the ground. A woman whispers, “Shit,” but in
a room filled with silence, she might as well have been yelling.
Another moment later, the silence is too much for our host.

“Talk!” Liz yells, following it with
laughter.

Slowly, a buzz of noise fills the room. At
first it sounds like everyone is whispering, a natural habit from
being in the dark, but then the rooms begins to sound like any
other busy and filled restaurant. Footsteps come in every direction
around me and even though I can’t see, my head twists and my body
turns, thinking I can see who’s near. The footsteps fade away and I
sit there, speechless, just like my date. I assume we’re the only
table not talking yet. A few minutes pass before he finally decides
to start the night.

Please don’t be a serial killer.

“Hello?”

His voice startles me again and my entire
body goes stiff. The sound is equally as deep as before and maybe a
little scratchy. Is he nervous? I fan myself with my hand and look
around. I’m definitely nervous and I just want to see
something…anything.

“I’m, uhhh…Miles.” He clears his throat. “I’m
a…typical worker. Eight to five.” The scratchy tone is gone and he
laughs. I can’t help but relax at the sound of his warm chuckle.
It’s very clear now that he’s just as nervous as I am. Still,
nothing comes from my side of the table.

“Hello?”

Still nothing. It’s like I forgot how to
speak. I’ve never been this nervous before. Then again, it’s been
eight months since my last date and it’s possible I’ve forgotten
how to act.

“Umm…is there anyone around me or someone who
can hear me? I’d raise my hand or make eye contact to get someone’s
attention, but I think my, uh…blind date already bailed on me.”

His voice alters between loud and soft,
giving me the impression he was looking around the room as he
spoke. I laugh, and when the sound comes out, my hand shoots up to
cover my mouth, hitting something on the way. Cold liquid spills
into my lap, and I jump from my seat. My chair falls backward, and
I bump into the table.
At least I didn’t break it.

“Are you…”

A warm body hits mine and before I can stop
us, we both topple over my chair.

The entire room fills with laughter as the
commotion gains the attention of our fellow diners. Glad I could
break the ice for them.

“I’m so sorry,” Miles says from somewhere
close to me. “Let me help you up.”

Before I can respond, a hand is touching my
left breast and he grunts as my knee makes contact with his
body.

Fantastic.

I gasp, and the hand retracts quickly.

“Again, I’m sorry about that.” He says
sounding a tad bit like he’s in pain.

A nervous giggle slips past my lips in a high
pitch. “I’m sorry as well. I hope I didn’t hurt you,” I say,
removing my hand.

We remain silent for a few seconds before I
decide it can’t get any worse than this.

“I’m Allie,” I say, reaching to shake his
hand. I stand there for a minute, waiting for him to return the
gesture.

“I’d shake your hand, but I’m not sure if
you’re offering it, or if I’d touch something else. Not that I’m
against it. I just prefer you to want it. I’m actually not even a
hundred percent sure we’re even facing each other.” He laughs.

“Excuse me. Your table is back in its place
now. If you’ll let me guide you, I can get you back to your
seat.”

A hand touches my shoulders and guides me
forward. Once I’m sitting again, Miles wastes no time making
conversation.

“It could be worse.” He chuckles again and
I’m beginning to think it’s something he does when he’s nervous. “I
don’t usually do these sorts of things. My brother and I got the
wrong end of a bet with our sister,” Miles admits, his voice isn’t
as shaky now.

I nod then quickly remember he can’t see me,
which means I have to talk. “Same for me, except my best friend
practically blackmailed me to be here.” Why am I admitting the
truth to this guy? Does the darkness really make it easier?

“At least we can say it was an interesting
experience and we’re only a few minutes in.”

“Yes. I can tell you already that I won’t
ever forget this night.” I laugh at the honesty blurting out of my
mouth.

“First date stories are the best ones, and I
think we just made history in my book.”

“Good evening.” A small female voice startles
me. “My name is Jen, and I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Do
either of you have any questions before I tell you the menu options
for this evening?”

We both respond with a “no,” and Sara reads
us the menu as if she has it memorized, which she probably does
because they aren’t joking about the dark, it’s pitch black in
here. Not even a few lights on the floor to lead any paths. “You
have four options for your dinner this evening. Fish, chicken,
steak, or a mystery meal that doesn’t have any meat.”

A mystery meal?

Aren’t I already facing a night of not
knowing what to expect?

How am I going to eat or cut up my food? Put
the food on my fork? I don’t even know where my fork is.

My hands slowly move forward until they’re
touching the table. Moving cautiously as if something is about to
jump out at me, I try to memorize the setting of my plates and
silverware. I bump my glass again and hear liquid slosh over the
edge of the glass.

I’m going to need extra napkins.

“I think we should go all out and try the
mystery meal. What do you think?” Miles asks.

Thank goodness he can’t see my face because
if he could he’d see panic written all over it. I lean forward, not
even thinking first that I might knock something else over.

“But what if we can’t cut it up or find it
with our silverware?” I whisper.

“We’ll use our hands then,” he whispers back,
and I sense he’s smiling.

I let out a sigh as I give in to his
suggestion. May as well embrace this entire night. “The mystery
meal it is,” I say.

“Alright, I’ll be back with your salads,” Jen
says. I listen for her departing footsteps, but hear nothing.
Either she moves quietly or is still standing at the table. I’ll
never know.

“So, do you want to go first?” Miles asks.
“I’ve never been very good at this game.”

“Sure, but didn’t you play it as a kid?”

“Maybe twice, but I never actually made it to
the full twenty questions…did you play as a kid?”

”I think I played maybe once or twice.”

“Yeah,” he says, and I imagine he’s shaking
his head.
I wonder if he has a beard.
“I usually played
truth or dare, and almost ninety-nine percent of the time, a girl
never backed down from a dare for a kiss.”
I’ve never kissed a
man with a beard…