The Fine Line Book One Between Worlds Series (8 page)

“
Beautiful, successful…
what else could I ask for?” he said cheerfully.

“
Really, you’re making me
blush.”

“
Well, it’s too bad I’m
not there to see that. Just so you know I’m taking you out for a
really nice dinner. I’m not telling you where I’m taking you
either. Dress up though. I’ll come by your apartment at
6:30.”

“
Matt, you don’t have
to…”

“
Will you stop? It’s not
every day my girlfriend gets promoted.”

“
I won’t fuss. I’ll be
ready at 6:30.”

Frantically, Robin called Wendy. She knew
Wendy had elegant dresses and she knew borrowing one would be no
problem. Next, Robin emailed her parents and others who were
rooting for her. Overcome with exhilaration, she stared aimlessly
at the wall. Everything still hadn’t sunk in; more money, more
training, more responsibility. There would be so much to do and
consider.

The Ford Bronco Robin had owned for years
needed to be replaced. Therefore, a new car quickly made the top of
the necessity list. Student loans could be paid off. Bills and
other debts could be wiped out.

Wendy gave Robin a black cocktail dress,
simple and elegant. With that, a set of pearls and matching
earrings rested on the dresser in Robin’s room.

She stood gazing in the mirror twisting her
hair on top of her head. Because she detested panty hose, she chose
a pair of her own black heeled sandals. So many thoughts found
their way into her brain. Taking precedence was the lack of
physical intimacy with Matt. She wondered exactly what he wanted
from her. She worried that sex was the only reason he continued to
pursue her. She felt lucky though. He continued to be patient and
tolerant. Still, she pondered whether she should make the first
move because she realized it was time to move forward with their
relationship. She prayed his intentions were good. She questioned
if he felt the same way she did, however. She didn’t know how to
answer that question because she knew the question wasn’t hers to
answer. She feared if she pulled him into her arms, kissed him
passionately, and began ripping the buttons off his shirt, it may
scare him. She couldn’t deny how delicious he looked each time she
saw him. The chemistry was strong and she didn’t deny that either.
Deep down, the old fashioned values she had been raised with
planted an intense fear of being perceived as immoral if she
stepped forward.

The knock at the front door startled her.
She grabbed the matching bag Wendy left for her and hurriedly
walked down the short hallway. She opened the front door and to her
amazement, there stood a man she hardly recognized. He wore a
smart, black tuxedo and his hair was smoothed back. He smelled so
good. She wanted to grab him, pull him in, and skip dinner, yet she
resisted the impulse and smiled instead trying desperately to catch
her breath.

“
My, my Dr. Gregory,” she
began calmly, “Don’t we look debonair tonight?”

He nodded as she saw his eyes move over her
body. “You look ravishing,” he said softly.

“
I’m surprised to see a
tux. This
must
be special.”

“
Are you impressed?” he
asked with a sly smirk.

“
Very.” She
nodded.

“
Are you turned
on?”

“
You could say
that.”

“
We have to do this more
often then,” he said deviously grinning.

“
Where are we eating?” she
inquired.

“
I told you, it’s a
surprise. I’ve learned some of your tastes, I think, so I don’t
think you’ll be disappointed.”

In the truck as they drove to the mystery
restaurant, it was quiet with spots of chatter. Robin enjoyed
holding hands with him and being close to him. As she looked out
the window at passing cars, she felt his warm hand rest on her
knee. She looked down at it and then up at him. In his eyes, she
saw insecurity. It surprised her. Generously, she smiled to offer
reassurance for his gesture.

It seemed like forever as they drove.
Finally, they pulled into a parking lot with a large building
adjacent. Robin had seen it before, but she had never been there.
In fact she had always wanted to go there to eat.

The Ledge House
was a very upscale
Italian bistro. It required reservations to even acquire a seat and
the prices were steep to say the least. Local and state dignitaries
dined there. Robin certainly didn’t imagine this to be the place
Matt chose. Flattery melted her.

“
Matt, this is too
expensive.”

“
We are celebrating. So,
be quiet and enjoy.”

He turned his face toward her and their eyes
met.

“
When will you realize you
are worth it?”

He got out of the truck and walked to her
door. After opening it, he offered his hand to help her out.
Nervously, Robin took Matt’s hand as they walked to the large glass
doors. Matt grabbed the handle and stood aside.

He bowed
graciously

“M’Lady,” he said.

She curtsied.

“
Why thank you
M’Lord.”

A tall gentleman stood behind the host’s
podium in a tuxedo.

“
Dr. Gregory, how good to
see you,” the man said.

“
Hello Jack. I have a
reservation for two,” Matt answered politely.

“
Right this way,
sir.”

Robin took more from the short greeting than
just common courtesy. Obviously, it wasn’t the first time Matt had
been at the restaurant. She followed the tall man up a set of
winding stairs. Behind her, Matt followed. At the top of the stairs
a large room opened up with windows of glass on three sides. A
chandelier hung in the middle of the room with a ballroom open for
dancing. Candlelit tables peppered the room. The elegance
overwhelmed her.

“My goodness.” she whispered,

She felt Matt’s hand on the small of her
back.

“
My brother, my
sister-in-law, and I bring my mother here for every birthday. It’s
her favorite restaurant.”

Robin nodded, relieved by his words. Fear
and uncertainty always lurked in the dark recesses of her mind as
she constantly questioned her worth. For so long she had looked for
and needed someone like Matt to whisper positive words in her ear;
to offer encouragement. She felt weak sometimes because of her need
for Matt’s emotional support, but she also appreciated him. She
realized he could possibly be the other half she searched for. The
thought frightened her to her very core.

The gentleman seated them at a table
overlooking the river. Quiet chatter throughout the room sounded
like sweet music in Robin’s ears. Some patrons twirled on the dance
floor.

Champagne arrived at the table first. Matt
reached across the table to take Robin’s hands into his.

“
I’m so proud of you,” he
said with a brilliant smile, his eyes filled with light.

Her cheeks warmed. “Thanks.”

He reached up and gently touched her
cheek.

“
Do you know how beautiful
you are when you blush? And you do it all of the time. I figured
after a couple of months, the newness would wear off.”

“
I’m blushing? I’m sorry,”
she said as she dropped her head.

“
Don’t be. It’s so
becoming.” With his finger, he tilted her chin up. “You are worth
complimenting, Robin. I know you have trouble believing that. And I
understand why. You have so much to be proud of.”

After the exquisite meal, Robin looked
around at the others in the large dining room. She admired the
brave souls on the ballroom floor as they danced effortlessly. The
orchestra music soothed her. She felt as if she were in an old film
like the ones she had watched with her mother. All of this felt
like a dream.

She continued watching the couples swirl
about and only wished she could be so graceful. She had tried so
many times to learn ballroom dancing, but she had always failed
miserably.

“
Dance with me,” Matt said
as he patted his lips with the linen napkin.

Shock covered her face as she frowned.
Shaking her head, she answered, “Oh, no, Matt, I can’t. You know I
can’t.”

“
It’s in the leading,” he
said leaning over to her. “That’s my job, so as long as I don’t
mess up, you should be fine.”

“
Really, Matt, this is a
bad idea.”

“
Let’s live dangerously,”
as his eyebrows raised and his eyes opened wider.

“
Me dancing; that is
dangerous.”

Her head dropped and when she looked up he
stood beside her with his hand outstretched.

“M’Lady, will you do me the distinguished
honor of dancing with me?”

She stood and took his hand.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. It’s
your
feet.”

She held tightly to Matt as he taught her
the steps. In his arms, she didn’t panic. Instead, she felt
powerful. He continued to intrigue her; to dazzle her. She wanted
him and she couldn’t ignore it any longer.

They danced for what seemed like hours.
Finally, they finished at the restaurant and rode back to the
apartment. During the drive, contemplation continued to overtake
Robin’s thoughts. Busily, she weighed things out in her head.
Thankfully, the truck radio played, giving her a break every so
often from the strangling worries. She held his hand and felt her
self-control dying. The closer they came to the apartment, the more
nervous she felt. Her demeanor remained calm and level. From the
corner of her eye, she saw Matt. He looked calm. In fact, she
wondered how he could be so calm. Yet again, negative thoughts
invaded her; she wondered if perhaps he didn’t want her
sexually.

Robin observed how he took charge of things.
So self-assured and confident; she admired that quality. She
wondered if he fought the same battle; whether or not he worried
about their intimacy. The parking lot lights were bright as he
pulled the truck into an empty spot.

“
As usual, I had a great
time,” she said politely. “Thanks so much for dinner. You really
didn’t have to…”

“
No more about dinner. It
was my gift to you for your promotion. Agreed?”

She nodded. “Agreed,” she said as she
pretended to zip her lips shut.

“
Can I say something
without scaring you off?” he asked.

“
Scaring me
off?”

He shifted his weight and turned to her.
Taking her hand in his, she could feel him trembling. She found it
very hard to believe that he could be nervous.

“
This has been the best
two months of my life Robin, seriously.”

She laughed.

“
Mine too.”

“
I’m serious,” he
continued.

“
It has been fun, hasn’t
it?” she agreed.

“
Is that all it’s been?”
he asked curiously as she watched his eyes drop and then meet hers
again.

“
What do you
mean?”

“
We talked about this
before. You’re so worried that I’m playing you or testing you or
whatever it is that you think I’m doing, but what about me? What if
you’re playing around with me?”

“
Oh, no… I’m not. Matt I
would never…”

“
How do I know that?
Honestly, Robin. How do I really know that?”

She shrugged. “I guess you don’t. I can tell
you that I really like you, but I realize that doesn’t necessarily
mean you have to believe me. If I felt like you were playing me, I
wouldn’t have kept going out with you though.”

“
Guess that’s fair. I
suppose my question is this: Where is this going?” he said as he
continued holding her hand. “Where do you see
us
going?”

“
I don’t know.” Now, on
the spot, she didn’t know what to say.

“
I know you don’t want to
be hurt. I know you’re afraid that I’ll be cruel to you. But I
can’t be. You are far too important to me,” he said as he dropped
his eyes again. He gently traced the lines on her palms.

“
What about the shifts we
work? Do you know how hard it’s going to be to keep a relationship
maintained?” she asked skeptically.

“
I think we’ve done pretty
well so far. Don’t you?”

“
Yes. But what happens
when…”

“
Robin, you know as well
as I do that there are no guarantees in life. I can’t promise you
what’s going to happen a week from now, let alone a month from now.
I know you’re worried about my ex-wife. I know you feel lost
sometimes. I know you don’t give yourself enough credit. I also
know that you don’t see yourself the way I see you; you’re strong
and beautiful and capable.

“
Even though you will die
before you admit it, I know you’re worried about sex,” he bit
out.

Shock summed up the expression on her
face.

“
I’m not just after sex.
If I was I wouldn’t be here. Deep down, you know that. I’m beyond
that.” It was quiet for a moment. Then his eyes locked with her.
“It
could
work; you just need to have a little faith. And if
our schedules are too crazy, I’ll switch shifts with someone. I
really do want to try this. I think we’ve got a shot at something
really good here.”

“
I don’t want you to
change things for me though.”

“
I wouldn’t be changing
anything for you. I’d be changing for me. I know it seems like
we’re moving really fast, but I think it’s worth the
risk.”