Dinner Option

By 6:00, I was officially ready.

Well, mostly ready.

My outfit had changed twice.

My hair had been redone once.

And Mom had already checked on me three separate times.

By the fourth visit, I pointed toward the hallway.

"Out."

She laughed.

"I'm just looking."

"You're supervising."

"I prefer supporting."

I rolled my eyes.

"You're impossible."

"No."

She smiled.

"I'm a mother."

That explained everything.

Downstairs, Dad was sitting in his favorite chair pretending to watch television.

Pretending.

Because every few minutes he'd glance toward the front window.

Then toward the clock.

Then back toward the television.

As if he wasn't waiting to see if Jack arrived on time.

At exactly 6:30, the doorbell rang.

Dad immediately looked at the clock.

Then smiled.

"On time."

I started laughing.

"You checked."

"Of course I checked."

Mom smacked his arm.

"Paul."

"What?"

The man had absolutely no shame.

I took a deep breath.

Then headed for the door.

For some reason, I felt nervous.

Not first-date nervous.

Different nervous.

Excited nervous.

The kind that makes your stomach flutter unexpectedly.

When I opened the door, Jack stood there smiling.

And somehow, that smile immediately put me at ease.

"Hi."

"Hi."

For a moment neither of us moved.

Then he laughed.

"You look beautiful."

I smiled.

"Thank you."

He looked great too.

Dark jeans.

Button-down shirt.

Comfortable.

Confident.

Effortlessly himself.

Behind me I could practically feel my parents watching.

Which made me laugh.

Jack noticed immediately.

"What?"

"My parents."

He smiled.

"Watching?"

"Absolutely."

That made him laugh.

As we stepped inside so he could say hello, Mom greeted him warmly.

Dad shook his hand.

Then glanced at his watch.

Jack looked confused.

Dad nodded approvingly.

"Right on time."

I covered my face.

"Oh my God."

Mom laughed.

"Ignore him."

"I can't," Jack replied.

"He makes it difficult."

Dad grinned.

Mission accomplished.

A few minutes later, we were finally heading toward the car.

As soon as we pulled out of the driveway, I relaxed.

Jack smiled.

"So."

"So."

"Where are we going?"

I laughed.

"You tell me."

He looked over.

"Me?"

"Yep."

"You asked me out."

"I know."

"So shouldn't you have a plan?"

I smiled.

"Probably."

"Do you?"

"Nope."

Jack started laughing.

"This is excellent planning."

"Thank you."

"I was being sarcastic."

"I know."

For several minutes we drove while discussing options.

Italian.

Steak.

Seafood.

Pizza.

Every suggestion somehow got rejected.

Finally Jack looked over.

"I have a weird question."

"What?"

"What are you hungry for?"

I thought about it.

Then laughed.

"That's your weird question?"

"It's important."

"Fine."

"What are you hungry for?"

He didn't hesitate.

"Potato skins."

I stared at him.

"Potato skins?"

He nodded.

"And potato soup."

I started laughing.

"That's oddly specific."

"I know."

"You've been thinking about this."

"I have."

The seriousness in his voice made me laugh even harder.

"Just potato skins and potato soup?"

He pointed at me.

"Don't judge me."

"I'm absolutely judging you."

"Fair."

For a moment we sat quietly.

Then simultaneously said the same thing.

"Houlihan's."

We both laughed.

"See?" Jack said.

"It was meant to be."

"Because of potato skins?"

"Exactly because of potato skins."

I shook my head.

The man was ridiculous.

And somehow, I loved that.

A few minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot.

As we walked toward the entrance, Jack reached for the door.

I stopped him.

"What are you doing?"

"Opening the door."

"No."

He looked confused.

"What do you mean no?"

I smiled.

"My treat."

He stared at me.

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Absolutely."

Jack shook his head.

"Lela."

"What?"

"I can't let you buy dinner."

I laughed.

"Watch me."

"No."

I pointed at him.

"You got the first date."

"That's different."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Excellent argument."

He started laughing.

Inside, the hostess greeted us and led us toward a booth.

The entire walk, we continued debating who was paying.

Neither of us willing to give up.

Neither of us willing to surrender.

The hostess was laughing by the time we sat down.

"I'll let you two figure it out."

I pointed at Jack.

"I'm winning."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

The hostess walked away shaking her head.

Once we settled in, I looked across the table.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then we both smiled.

Because somehow, despite everything that had happened over the last few days, we were here.

Another dinner.

Another evening together.

No pressure.

No expectations.

Just two people enjoying each other's company.

Jack picked up the menu.

Then immediately put it back down.

"What?"

He smiled.

"I already know what I'm getting."

I laughed.

"Let me guess."

He grinned.

"Potato skins."

"And?"

"Potato soup."

The two of us burst out laughing.

And just like that, the evening was underway.