Chapter 11 - The First Date Nobody Called a Date
Grace returned Greenwich for Sophie’s eighth birthday.
Party small.
No politicians.
No donors.
Cake, backyard games, three school friends.
Evan wore jeans without disguise.
After children asleep, Grace stayed on terrace.
“Remember first brunch?”
“I try not.”
“You looked ridiculous beard.”
“I was convincing.”
“You looked like handsome lumberjack committing tax fraud.”
He laughed.
They drank coffee.
He asked, “Dinner tomorrow?”
“Why?”
“Food.”
“Evan.”
“A date.”
She went quiet.
“You were my employer.”
“Not anymore.”
“You are complicated.”
“Yes.”
“You have criminal history.”
“Yes.”
“You had my brother beaten.”
His face sobered.
“Yes.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“And children.”
“They come first.”
“As they should.”
She studied.
“One dinner.”
Restaurant tiny Italian place.
No private room.
No entourage inside.
Evan uncomfortable.
Grace delighted.
They talked about Julian.
Amelia.
Her father.
His childhood.
He told her his own father hit him.
She did not excuse what he became.
Good.
At end, he asked permission before kissing.
Grace smiled.
“Look at you learning.”
Then kissed him.
Slow.
Careful.
May you like
Nothing like crisis.
Better.
