Chapter Seven

   That evening I paced nervously around Johnny's lving room. I was wearing a sundress that nikki had helped me pick out.
   "Are you sure I look okay?" I briefly stopped in front of Nikki who was sitting on one of the couches, one knee brought up.
   "Fabulous, dahrling," Nikki replied in an over dramatic voice.
   "Don't Nik," I said, "I haven't been on a date in...forever! What if...what if I trip or something?"
   "Then you'll start laughing, and if he's got any sense of humor he'll laugh too." I began wringing my hand. "Whitney! If you don't stop I'm going to tie your hands behind your back and tape up that outh of yours." I abruptly stopped and sat. There was a knock at the door and I quickly stood again.
   "Should I answer it?" I assked Nikki as she stood.
   "Wait," she said. I watched her standing there counting to herself. "Okay, now." she finally said.
   "What was that?" I asked, walking toward the door.
   "Just a date ritual," she waved off. I opened the door...and there stood Jordan.
   "Jordan!" I exlcaimed.
   "Sheesh," he said, walking past me. "I was wondering when you were going to open the door."
   "You ruined the whole ritual!" I explained.
   "Oh, for your date?" he asked. I nodded. "Oh, he's waiting out front."  I stood there, openmouthed.
   "Go," Nikki said, giving me a little push toward the door. "You're going to have a great time." I nodded and walked out the door. I slowly shut it behind me and began to walk down the patio toward the driveway. I saw Abs, standing, looking up at the sky.
   "Hi," I sheepishly said as I approached him. He turned his focus from the night sky to me.
   "Hey," he smiled. I almost melted he looked so good. "I hope I wasn't too early, we didn't exactly set a time."
   "No," I shook my head. "My friend...she just has these rituals," I tried to explain. He laughed a little.
   "So you ready?" he asked, motioning toward the car. I nodded. "Let's go then."

                               ~*~*~*~*~
   The evening with Abs was wonderful. He took me to a fancy yet private restaurant. The food was delicious and we talked and laughed and exchanged stories. I still hadn't figured out where I had seen him before, he seemed so familiar.
   On the drive home we worked on wrapping up the evening. It was hard, though, I found we had a lot in common and he was very easy to talk to.
   When we reached the beach house I reluctantly got out of his car, not wanting the night to end. He walked me to the beginning of the patio where I stopped him. "My friend's are really nosey," I explained.
   "Well," Abs began, "I've had a fantastic time with you tonight."
   "So have I," I smiled. Abs gave me a hug.
   "Will I hear from you again, love?" he asked.
   "You can bet on it," I replied.
   "Good," said Abs. He slowly leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. "Goodnight." he replied.
   "Night," I smiled back at him.

Chapter Eight...