Chapter 18
Pacing, she was pacing and couldn't believe it. She rubbed at her eyes and walked over to the couch, forcing herself to sit, to calm down. She was way too high strung at the moment. Unconsciously, she started tapping her foot on the floor, taking calming breaths.
This was crazy; she had no reason to be so damn nervous. It wasn't like she'd never been out on a date before! She rubbed at her head. She'd made a list of all the things she'd wanted to show him and checked to make sure everything was open.
Opening her purse, she pulled out a piece of hard candy, popping it into her mouth. She really was out of practice with this whole dating thing. Wait, this wasn't a date, isn't that what she'd told Trevor? A meeting, an informal informational meeting. That's what it was. She did things like that all the time. Piece of cake.
The doorbell rang and she jumped, biting down hard on the candy that wasn't ready to be bitten into yet and winced. Straightening out her skirt, she started over to the door. Taking a calming final breath, she turned the knob and swung the door open.
Her heart stopped. He looked absolutely delicious. Had she just thought that? He was wearing black chinos, a royal purple dress shirt and his hair had that wet look to it. She swallowed hard.
"Good evening Jordan." Howie smiled, holding a single red rose out to her. "For you."
She blinked, her heart pounding against her chest ridiculously. "Thank you Howie, it's beautiful." She smiled, stepping back. "Please, come in. I'll only be a moment." She turned heading up the stairs as quick as she could in her heels.
Howie watched her flutter up the stairs and smiled. She looked amazing. A conservative black skirt and blue blouse. Her hair pulled up into an elegant French twist to complete. She was breathtaking, even in such a simple outfit. Still he would've liked to see her in something a little more daring, but there was time. He didn't want to rush anything.
She emerged a few minutes later, purse and coat in tow.
"Ok, I'm all set if you are." She smiled, putting her purse down to pull her coat on.
"Allow me." Howie smiled, taking the coat from her and holding it open while she slipped her arms in.
"Thank you."
"No problem. Ready?" He questioned.
She nodded and he started out. She closed and locked the door behind them and they started over to his rented car.
****
She gave him the directions along the way as he made small talk with her about work and her life. She found herself slowly starting to relax, becoming more comfortable with his questions.
They pulled into the first stop.
"So, where are we?" Howie asked, cutting the engine.
"You'll see." She smiled, turning to open the door.
Howie got out quickly, walking around and opening the door, holding his hand out.
Slipping her hand in his, she allowed Howie to help her out and then tucked her hand under his arm as he stared ahead.
"The museum?"
"Yeah, this is the Hellenic Cultural Museum. It's really nice, has a lot of the history of Utah and things outside of what you'd normally find in a museum. It shows the life of the early Greek immigrants with photographs and letters and such."
Usually they close early, but there's a special exhibit going on this evening so I thought it'd be nice to check it out."
"Sounds nice." Howie grinned. He loved things like this, it always fascinated him. He lead them inside and insisted on paying as they made their way into the lobby.
They walked around, looking at the various pieces and joining in on one of the many tours that were being held.
After a while, they broke off from the group and headed over to look at some things by themselves.
"Look at that doll, it's beautiful. You can see the fine detail and work that went into it." She breathed softly.
Howie stared down at it. "Yes, it is beautiful." He looked over at her, he so badly wanted to reach out and run his fingers over her smooth skin, so badly.
She smiled, and they walked a little further, eventually making their way through the entire museum before heading out and back over to the car. Howie helped her in and then they took off again.
"That was really nice. I enjoyed that. Things like that always fascinated me, learning about different cultures."
"Yeah, we can learn a lot from the past that's for sure."
"Where to next?"
"It's another surprise." Jordan smiled, giving him the directions.
They arrived a short time later; they made their way out of the car and started towards the building.
"What is this?"
"This is the Capitol Theater, there's a ballet performance going on, I remember in your information sheet, that you'd done a little work with ballet. I thought you'd like to see one."
"Wow, I do love the ballet. How great. Who's performing?"
Jordan presented the tickets at the box office and they headed in. "The Rire-Woodbury Dance Company. They'll be performing Swan Lake. They're absolutely amazing to watch. I've had the pleasure of seeing them perform before and it was breathtaking."
"I look forward to it." Howie smiled.
They entered the large auditorium and found their seats just as the house lights dimmed and the ballet started.
****
Two hours later...
"That was beautiful, I never get tired of seeing that." Jordan smiled.
"Yes, I don't get to go out and experience things like this all the time, so this is a treat for me. I love the ballet; I'll have to try to go more often. Thank you Jordan." Howie whispered, looking over at her.
"You're welcome." She could feel herself starting to blush.
"Did I tell you that you look absolutely beautiful this evening?"
"Howie..."
"You do, you're breathtaking." He smiled, taking her hand in his and squeezing it gently, leading her once again to the car.
There went her heart again, pounding frantically. Why did he have such a strong effect on her? Again they got in the car and headed off. Deciding it was time for dinner, Jordan took them to The Lion House Bakery.
They ordered and chatted while waiting for their dinner.
"So that's it. I've been here since. Mom and Dad still live in Washington and I visit as often as work allows." Jordan finished, taking a sip of her water.
"Sounds nice. Work is very important to you isn't it?" Howie asked.
She nodded. "My parents taught me the importance of work, to be able to get the things I want, I have to want to work for it. There's no other choice."
"Mmmm, I agree. What do you do for fun?"
"Fun? I don't have time for fun unfortunately."
"You had time for this, this is fun isn't it?"
She paused and looked at him. "Yeah, yeah it is."
Howie nodded. "That's the plan querida."
She blinked. "You speak Spanish?"
He shrugged. "I dabble."
"I'm impressed."
A slow smiled formed over his full lips. "You ain't seen nothing yet el novio."
She felt her face flaming. She'd buy a Spanish English dictionary first thing tomorrow. Thankfully dinner arrived just then and they started in on their meals.
****
An hour later, they were on the road again.
"Ok, where I am I going?"
"We are going to the Crossroads Plaza for a little shopping. I figured you might wanna get some souvenirs and stuff."
"Ahh shopping, too bad AJ isn't here." Howie chuckled.
"AJ? Oh, he's another member in your group right?"
"Yeah, AJ's quite the character. He's the shopper out of us."
"I thought I'd heard that somewhere. How long have you guys been together?"
"It'll be ten years next April."
"Wow, long time. Are you happy doing what you're doing?"
"Definitely, it's my life. I get to travel all around the world and meet new people and learn different cultures, it's a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun too. We've come so far, I wouldn't want it any other way."
"Sounds nice, I'd like to travel someday."
His smile was enigmatic as he looked at her. "Maybe someday you will."
They arrived at the mall and went in. They shopped in various stores, with Howie finding a glass elephant for his mom.
"You collect elephants for your mom?" He nodded. "Yeah, it's this thing I started a while back. I try to get one wherever I go. She's got quite a few." He explained, paying for the elephant.
Jordan smiled. "That's sweet."
"That's me, sweet D." He winked, taking her hand as they left the store.
Again she was surrounded by the light scent he carried, it made her head swim. They walked leisurely around the mall, stopping occasionally so Howie could sign an autograph or take a picture. Jordan watched him interact with his fans, he seemed so comfortable with himself, with the situation he was put in, it baffled her. He was patient with the shy, quiet girls and all the while polite and generous. He smiled at her as he made his way back over.
"Sorry bout that."
"It's not a problem at all. It's really amazing to watch, they have so much love for you and they don't really even know you."
"Yeah, I never get used to it, all the love like that. None of us do. We don't take it for granted, cause just like that, it could be gone." He snapped his fingers to emphasize his point.
She nodded. All their shopping done, they headed out again.
"Anywhere else?"
"Yeah, one more place."
Leading the way again, they arrived at what appeared to be a park. Getting out the car they walked through the gates.
"This is the Great Salt Lake. It's open all year round for boating and whatnot. Of course the best time is in the summer, picnicking is great here."
She led him over to a cliff and a breathtaking view of he lake; they sat on one of the benches, looking out. "I like to come here sometimes when I have a little spare time to myself. It's not often but, I try."
"It's beautiful here." Howie smiled, looking around.
She nodded. Part of her didn't know why she'd taken him here, she hadn't planned on it, she had always considered this to be her special place, she never shared it with anyone. She looked over at him; something about him made her feel warm, protected. Suddenly Howie turned, his eyes finding hers. She swallowed hard, turning her head away quickly.
Howie studied her intently, reaching out and turning her head so that she was looking at him again. He longed to hold her, ached to. "Yo no quiero que nada mas que tengalo." He murmured, saying it to himself. I want nothing more than to hold you.
She felt her heart drop. If only she knew what he'd said, not that it mattered, it mesmerized her nonetheless. Staring into his eyes, she felt herself starting to fall, starting to feel things she hadn't felt in so long. There was a heat, a...longing of sorts in those eyes, a longing she understood too well. He smiled then, letting his hand drop, instantly missing the softness of her skin. Jordan swallowed hard again, shaking her head to try to clear it.
"Ok, so..."
"Ready to head back home now?" He continued to smile at her.
She nodded.
"Alright, let's go." He stood, offering her his hand and they made their way out the park.
****
Howie walked her up the steps to her house. "Thank you for a wonderful evening Jordan. The ballet, the park, the mall, the museum everything, it was great. I really enjoyed myself."
"It was my pleasure Howie, truly. I enjoyed getting out."
"You need to more often ya know."
She nodded, laughing. "You've been talking to Trevor haven't you?"
Howie smiled. "No, I haven't."
"Well I guess this is it. Thank you for letting me take you out Howie."
"Anytime. Till next time." He reached out, taking her hand in his. "Buenas noches..." He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it gently. "...Mi Chica Hermosa."
With one last smile he turned and headed back to his car. Frantically she fumbled with her key and stepped inside, leaning heavily against the door. It was happening, it was happening so fast that she couldn't stop it, couldn't control it. She pressed her palms into her eyes. Why didn't she care? And why, why was some part of her welcoming it?
Straightening, she made her way slowly up the stairs, her mind still reeling from that evening and from that goodnight.
