Author's Note -- this is a slow build story not a quick jerk, so fair warning.
Special Thanks to Todger65 for your patient editing of this work.
"Is Katie coming over tonight?" My oldest daughter asks.
"Yes, auntie Jen is going to let her stay the night."
"Yay!"
'Auntie' Jen is my wife's best friend; they'd been so since before I'd met either of them. Jen is a single mom of a little girl between the ages of my own daughters and they are close enough we've started calling them 'cousins'.
Jen's 'ex-' is a dirt bag that not only knocked her up while she was practically unconscious, but has made every effort to avoid parental responsibility since. I couldn't understand how he could want nothing to do with the sweet adorable girl that Katie is and so I kinda try to be a father like figure for her as much as I am able.
As many single moms' do, Jen is having a hard time both being a parent and trying to get out and date. So tonight we are babysitting so she can go out with a new guy she's recently met online through one of those dating sites.
I believe this is her fifth date so it seems like it is going pretty good.
I haven't been home long, just getting changed out of my work clothes when I hear the phone ring, and then Lisa's voice carrying up the stairs sounding both sympathetic and reassuring.
"Honey, take a shower and dress to go out."
"Katie not coming? What happened?"
"Jen's date canceled, but she's still dropping Kate off and you're going to take Jen out tonight."
I can't be sure I'm hearing her correctly. "What's that?"
"Jen needs a night out with a nice guy, and since we don't know any single ones, you are going to substitute."
I duck my head back out of the bedroom to look down the stairs to see if she is pulling a joke on me, "are you serious?"
"Yes, now get into that shower." She responds with a look of complete seriousness, softened by a smile.
I didn't hesitate any further and immediately begin getting ready for a date night, the first one not with my wife since I'd been 18.
I feel my heart race, my body flush, and butterflies in my stomach all with a pre-date nervousness that has me confused. I know it is only a dinner out with a friend and yet it feels like I am a teenager about to go on a first date.
I climb downstairs wearing jeans and a turtleneck and Lisa frowns and shakes her head at me in disappointment.
"Go back up there and dress nice, she has reservations at a nice restaurant, not the diner."
I shrug and go back upstairs to dress more appropriately. When I come back down a second time she smiles at me approvingly.
"That's better, now you look sexy. I'm a little jealous of Jen now." She says with a smile.
"Is it too much?" I'd switched to a two piece dark blue suit with a light purple shirt and tie my wife always liked on me though I didn't wear them often.
"I want you dressed to make me a little jealous tonight, this is perfect."
"Do I hear Katie here already? Is Jen waiting?"
"Yes, Katie is here, Jen dropped her off while you were showering and no she isn't waiting, not yet, she's home getting ready."
"So what am I doing tonight?"
"Everything she was going to do with her date, pick her up, dinner, etc... She's already got the reservations, and you are paying."
"Okay but... I haven't been on a date with anyone but you in ages, and before then I didn't have many dates. I'm a little nervous here."
"Sometimes I forget how cute you are. Don't be so nervous, you certainly know her as well as you knew me by our first year of dating, so it's not really a 'first' date. Let her lead the date and be the good guy I know you are."
"Okay," I say, "but I still feel like I'm cheating on you."
"You're not, go out, have a good time, and most importantly make sure she has one. If she tells me you were anything less than exemplary tonight, then you'll hear from me." Again she smiles at me.
"I'll try..."
"You'll be fine, you've gone out to dinner with her before, never without me true, but you don't need me to have a pleasant evening."
"And you are okay with this?"
"Yes, now go or you're gonna be late and Jen will worry that you aren't going to show."
With that final blessing a hug and kiss, I grabbed my keys, and go out the door to my car.
Fortunately the drive to Jen's is a short one, otherwise I may chicken out, as it is I am all twisted up inside again as I pull into her driveway 10 minutes later.
I walk to her front door and ring the bell. A few moments later she answers and I don't have to feign my reaction.
A black dress with a deep plunge draws immediate attention to her cleavage and it is an excellent choice to work with her curves.
"Wow!" Is about all I can say, and she flushes as she smiles at me.
"You're just being nice, but thank-you."
"No, seriously, you look hot." I respond, "some handsome guy is probably gonna steal you off my arm the moment we get to the restaurant."
"I doubt anyone would be interested, and you are pretty damn good looking yourself. Besides, tonight you are my date."
"Yes I am! Where to?"
"Tony's."
"Nice choice!" I say with a smile and I hold out my hand to escort her to the car.