Chapter 1

It was just supposed to be a simple ordinary date. Nothing that Maria hadn’t done many times before. But this particular date would change the course of her life forever.

She had met him at the club a few nights ago when she and her B.F.F. Jenny went there for a “girl’s night out” after a long day at work. Both girls had a bit too much to drink that night and Jenny got sick in the ladies room, but in whole, it was a fun time.

The best part though was when the handsome guy at the end of the bar bought drinks for the two girls. The waitress brought the drinks over and pointed to him sitting there at the bar. He smiled and waved at the girls when they looked his way. Maria and Jenny giggled then waved him to join them at their table.

“Hello ladies, my name is Brett. How are you this evening?”

Jenny and Maria introduced themselves and he sat down at the table with them. The three of them began chatting and drinking until Jenny started feeling a bit woozy. The girls excused themselves and Maria took Jenny into the ladies room.

“Oh Maria, I don’t feel so good!” Jenny said just before she got sick in the toilet. Being a good friend, Maria held Jenny’s long blonde hair until she was done and then helped her get cleaned up a bit before rejoining their new male friend back at the table.

“Brett, I hate to end the night so soon after we just started having fun, but Jenny here isn’t feeling well, and I need to take her home. It was nice to meet you, though, and thank you for the drinks and conversation.”

“You are quite welcome, Maria. It was nice to have two beautiful companions tonight. It is too bad it had to end so early but I completely understand. I hope Jenny feels better.”

“Brett, if you would like to ... um ... call me sometime, here is my ... phone number. You know, maybe we could ... I don’t know, go to dinner or something?” Maria said, acting and feeling very much like a young teen-aged girl asking to go out on her first real date.

He smiled and slipped the phone number into his shirt pocket. Then he gave both girls a hug goodbye and they left.

It was a couple days later when Maria was sitting at home watching some TV waiting for dinner to finish cooking. Suddenly the telephone rang startling her.

“Hello?”

“Hello, is Maria there?”

“This is Maria,”

“Hi Maria, this is Brett Matthews, from the club the other night? I’m sorry I didn’t call before now but I had to go out of town on business and just got back. I wanted to see if you’d like to get together for dinner this weekend?”

Maria had almost forgotten about the hunky guy who she and Jenny met that night. But she smiled knowing that he hadn’t. “Oh yes, Brett! Thank you so much for calling ... I know everyone always says they will call sometime but very few actually do.”

“That’s okay, I always make a point of calling a girl the next day. I want to make sure she got home okay and make sure she remembers the fun we had. I like to leave a good impression on her!’

Oh, you did, Brett ... you certainly did! she thought to herself. “And I did have a good time that night. Even Jenny had fun before she ... anyway, sure, I would love to go out to dinner with you.”

“Great! Do you like Mexican food? There’s a new Mexican place, Sabor de México, that I’ve been wanting to try out.”

“Oh, I love Mexican food! I’m half-Mexican and I was born and lived in Los Angeles until I went to college! I guess with a name like Maria Alvarez, it’s not much of a reach to think I would like Mexican food!”

“Alvarez huh? At least now I know your last name now! It will be much easier than calling you Maria Whatshername!”

“Oh, I’m sorry! I guess I never did properly introduce myself that night! Yes, it’s Maria Alvarez.”

“Nice to meet you again Maria Alvarez. Now is it Ms. Alvarez or Miss Alvarez ... or maybe Mrs. Alvarez?”

“It’s Ms. Alvarez. I was married once, but it didn’t last very long. I got married while in my last year of college and it lasted eight years before we ended it. I was twenty when I got married and I got divorced on my twenty-eighth birthday.”

“Ouch! Nice birthday present!”

“It was actually. We both knew it was over – it had been for some time. We only lived in the same house the last couple of years. We didn’t feel married at all. In fact, we both brought over other people to sleep with. Fortunately, the house had a mother-in-law attached apartment which is where he stayed. He had his entrance and I had mine. We rarely even crossed paths.”

“Sounds kinda awkward, especially if one of you had company.”

“Oh, it only lasted for a couple years like that. We decided the best thing would be to put some distance between us. So after the divorce, we sold the house, split the money, and went our separate ways. I moved here to Seattle, and he went back east someplace. I only hear from him once a month when he sends the alimony payment and then it’s just a check, usually, no note or letter comes with it. He doesn’t want to talk anymore. Works for me!”

“I can’t help thinking his loss is my gain! Maria, it’s been nice talking to you, but I need to run now – work demands my attention. But I am looking forward to this weekend. How about Saturday around 7:00 pm?”

“That’s fine with me. I will see you then, Brett. And I’m looking forward to dinner too.”

Saturday rolled around, although not fast enough for Maria. After doing some last minute housecleaning, just in case they ended up at her apartment after the date, she took a shower and started getting ready.

She had decided to wear her favorite LBD (little black dress) that night. She liked the way it fit her – it was tight to show off her curves with a deep scoop neckline to let her “girls” strut their stuff. It was very short to showcase her attractive legs. She put on her best thigh-top stockings and added a string of large simulated pearls for interest and her black six-inch stiletto pumps.

Once she was dressed, she stepped into the bathroom to put on her makeup. Finally, she was ready and a glance at the clock told her it was just in time! She had just enough time for one last critical look at herself and be standing at the front door when the doorbell rang.

“Wow, Maria! You look amazing!”

“Thank you, Brett, you look very handsome yourself.”

Brett held out his arm for her. “Are you ready to go, then?”

Maria smiled and slipped her arm under his. They walked out to his car and he seated her before going around and getting in the driver’s seat.

“You have a very nice car, Brett, What kind of car is it?”

“This is the Cadillac ATS. It’s a very nice car. I used to have a BMW, but I got tired of trying to get a foreign car repaired. So I went with Cadillac because it’s American and still luxurious.”

Maria stroked the butter-soft leather seat. “It certainly is. I’ve never felt anything so soft! I’d be afraid of driving something so comfortable for fear of falling asleep!”

“Hopefully you won’t fall asleep before we get to the restaurant!”

“I won’t, I promise. I am looking forward to trying out this restaurant. It’s been a long time since I had good Mexican food – I miss it.” Maria put her hand over his on the center console “Thank you for asking me out. I haven’t had many dates as of late and was afraid I might be losing my touch!”

“Not from where I’m sitting!” Brett said, raising her hand to his lips to kiss it.

The whole dinner was excellent. Maria got her good Mexican food she had been missing and Brett was completely charming and wonderful dinner company. She really couldn’t remember having a better time.

As they finished dinner and Brett was waiting for the check, Maria excused herself to go to the ladies room. She didn’t have to use the ladies room or touch up her makeup or anything – she just needed to get away from Brett for a moment to think.

What am I going to do? Brett has been amazing all night long – a perfect gentleman and so sweet. It’s been a wonderful time. But this is our first date. I don’t want him to think I’m easy, but I also don’t want him to think I’m stuck up or conceited. I don’t want to seem too eager, but I do want him ... oh God, do I want him!

She knew she couldn’t stay gone too long, so she headed back to the table and Brett. She still wasn’t sure what she would do, though. She would just things happen and see where they went.