Page 20 of Wine & Dine

“Do they live around here?”

“We’re scattered. Lindee lives in Nashville, and Jane is in Chicago. Mae still lives near my mom in River City, Missouri.”

“Missouri?” She laughs. “I thought you were from here.”

“No one is really from here. I moved to California after I graduated from Missouri State University.”

She claps once, another laugh escaping.

“What’s so funny about that?”

Sobering, she says, “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

Suddenly, the movie screen lights up, and an old-fashioned countdown begins. The opening credits roll, and we settle into snacking while we sip the wine and watch the classic black and white movie.

At some point, we move closer to each other, slipping the second blanket over our legs to ward off a chill in the air. My arms support me, resting at my sides, with one hand behind Dolores. If I twitch my thumb, I can rub her ass, but I don’t. I don’t want to make this anything more than it is. Dolores and I are becoming friends. It’s not that I don’t have female friendships, but I tend to ruin them by stepping back or fucking them. The thought reminds me of Alicia. I haven’t called her in a week although she’s been burning up my text messages.

Dolores yawns beside me.

“Tired?” It isn’t late. Maybe she’s bored.

“Just comfy,” she says, lowering herself to her side. Her elbow bent, she perches her head on her hand to continue watching the movie. She laughs occasionally, and I find I like the sound. I like her. The emotion isn’t unheard of. I’ve liked many women in my time. Heather Robinson. Tracy Dean. One was my high school sweetheart and the other, my college one. Both wanted a hometown boy to settle down with while I wanted to be more than River City. Then there was Kathryn Cole. I shiver at the memory of her.

Without thinking, I scoot over and tug at Dolores’s forearm, forcing her head to rest on my thigh.

“What are you doing?” she mumbles toward the screen.

“Making you more comfortable.” Or maybe I’m making myself comfortable. I want to touch her somehow. Holding her hand doesn’t work well in our positions on the blanket. With her down on her side, this seemed like the best solution. My fingers find the ends of her hair and gently stroke the tips. Occasionally, I brush down her back. She doesn’t flinch away from the caress, but she doesn’t give in to it either. As the movie draws to an end, the credits roll, and people clap. Dolores remains still.

“Dolores,” I softly speak. My hand risks combing through her hair at the side of her head.

Well.

“Dolores, sweetheart, the movie’s over.” I gently shake her shoulder, and her eyes flip open. Seeing the screen go black and a spotlight snap on to guide movie watchers for the exit, she sits upright.

“Goodness, I fell asleep,” she groggily states the obvious. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it.” I liked her head on my thigh. Her comfort. Her closeness. “Not sleeping well?”

She shrugs noncommittally as we gather up our things. We walk in silence back to the car, and I open her door. On the ride back to the condo, her head rolls on the headrest, and she watches me as I drive. Her hands are tucked between her thighs, and once again, I want to touch her.

“Like what you see?” I tease.

“You are kind of pretty, but you already know that,” she playfully snarks. “But you’re also sweet. Tonight was really nice of you.”

“I fed you wheat crackers with Gouda.” I scoff.

“I didn’t find anything wrong with that.”

My palm sweats on the steering wheel. “Well, don’t be ruining my reputation. Tin Man, remember.” I pat my chest with a flat hand.

“Your secret is safe with me,” she whispers, her eyes drifting toward the front windshield.

Too quickly, we arrive at the condo, and I’m walking Dolores to Denton’s. As we stand outside, I lean my shoulder against the wall while she unlocks the door. Suddenly, I can’t take it anymore. I drop the blankets and the bag to the floor. The sudden noise in the otherwise quiet hall draws her attention to the objects.

“Dolores,” I say, and her eyes drift up to me. “Thanks for going out with me.”

Her head tilts, and her lips twist like she’s thinking. My thumb comes to the corner of her mouth, and I tug the tender skin. The pad of my thumb rubs over her lower lip.