Natasha couldn't believe herself. Not only was she out on a 3rd date, but she was enjoying her company. She was smiling and truth be told it was hard to stop. Her date, Justin, a 5' 10" chocolate toned man, all of 26, was smiling back at her too. To all in attendance at the Black Horse Grill & Pub it was apparent that they were into each other as well, giggling, joking and sharing long hand strokes and silent words across their small table. It wasn't always like this for Natasha. A little over a year ago, at only 24, Natasha went through a distressing divorce that turned her off to men, up until a few weeks ago when Justin walked back in her life.
On a run-of-the-mill day at her DMV job, he approached her counter and immediately recognized her. He struck up a conversation and asked if they could talk to each other later to catch up on life after school. Reluctantly, she agreed and they exchanged numbers. Her reluctance came from her divorce, agreeing to his offer came from her wanting to make amends. She wasn't all that good to him then. Justin always had his head straight and thoughts together except when it came to her and at the time, her head was only on getting what she wanted and playing games. After only 3 months they broke up and tried to remain friends, but when Justin headed for college the contact was lost, until now.
Justin called her the same night he got her number and wasted no time asking her out on a date. Being told by her friends that she needed to get out, she once again accepted his offer and he took her to see a local R & B trio named Flowers at a club called Lovenoise. She loved the music and thanked him for bringing her out. They only scratched the surface of any remaining emotion they shared from the past and the date ended more on a friendly note than anything. The next morning at work, Natasha received a bouquet a flowers from Justin, asking for a second date. She couldn't turn something like that down. Everyone at her job saw them and knew that something special was blossoming. Two nights later, they were at the fair having the greatest time. Justin won prizes for Natasha, they rode several rides together and shared a kiss under the moon, walking to his car. Natasha started feeling like herself again, ready to take control just like she used to. She asked
him
to the next date. Now here they are, loving life...together.
"So how do you like it?" Natasha asked him.
"The restaurant..." Justin started, "it's different. I've never been to a place like this. I mean, I've been out to eat in a lot of places but this is new. I didn't even know this place was here and I've lived here for years."
"Well I'm happy you like it. I love doing different things, especially with you."
She halted and blushed after saying that. It was pretty apparent as well since, being a lightly tanned Mexican-American; it was easy to see when color, especially red, came onto her face. Initially she put her head down, almost half embarrassed; she then lifted it again to look at Justin, grinning right at her.
"I love doing anything with you," he said to her. Her face became hot then. She was okay at taking complements but for some reason it wasn't as easy coming from him. Since they first met when she was 14 he's always been big on telling her how beautiful she is each and every day. There were random gifts given, just because and calls lasting for hours that mostly included Justin explaining his infatuation with her.
I've never met a girl like you before,
he always told her,
you're just special.
She felt the same tingle in her skin just thinking of those words that she used to years ago. This still didn't explain why he would want to involve himself with someone who played him so badly back then.
Natasha wasn't that great of a girlfriend. She used to watch the phone ring, looking at the caller ID as Justin called, left to hang out and flirt with other boys on a regular basis, leaving Justin wondering where she was consistently. Once questioned she wasn't any better as 'I don't remember, I was out' became her standard answer. It was all to get a rise out of him and really, just be young and stupid. She realized this now. She also realized how much she missed and adored him as well.
"So," Natasha started, "why did you ask me out again after what happened to us then? I would think you wouldn't want to see me again."
"Never that," he shot back, "On the contrary, I never wanted to leave you. I've always wanted to be around you. Even when we broke up, I thought of you all the time. I've even come back here on a few occasions and looked you up. I could never find you though."
"That's because my last name changed. I was married for 3 years and got divorced about a year ago. He was such an asshole, I can't believe it lasted that long."
"Damn. That explains a lot. So...are you good now?"