Chapter 1

Michael had decided to have a small get together one summer weekend. He had just got the hot tub cleaned and refilled and wanted to try it out. So he invited his friends Richard and Amy over for dinner. Michael picked up some steaks and fired up the grill. The three soaked a bit in the tub prior to eating dinner, and then Michael put the steaks on. After they ate, they decided to get back in the tub and let their dinner settle.

Richard had just gone into the house to freshen up everyone’s drinks when Amy approached Michael with an idea. Amy’s friend had asked her to introduce her to Michael and Amy, who considered herself a matchmaker, set it all up.

"Oh, come on Amy! A blind date? Really? I’m a little old for those childish things, don’t you think? And you know how I feel about blind dates! I like to know a little something about the girl – like, oh I don’t know, if she is a bowwow – before I date her!" Michael said.

"Now Michael, I am your friend. I know what you like in a girl – remember I was your girl for a bit too!" Amy said. "Besides, Rachael wants to meet you. She is a great girl and really pretty. I think you two will really have a good time together."

Michael knew that when Amy set her mind to something, he might as well give up – he couldn’t get her off of it until he agreed with her. They had been a couple a few years back. It lasted for about a year before they both decided it wasn’t what they wanted. They parted as friends and still were.

She had hooked up with his best friend a little after they broke up and Richard and Amy had ended up getting married, with Michael serving as his best man. So Amy and Michael were still very good friends and he remembered how hard it was to get Amy off some idea she had latched on to.

"Okay Amy, I’ll think about it," he sighed, caving in to her relentless badgering.

"Good. I know you and Rachael will have fun together. She is a fun girl," Amy said. With that, she dropped the subject just as Richard returned with their drinks.

The following Tuesday Michael came home from work to a message on his answering machine:

"Hey Michael, it’s Amy. Have you thought about going out with Rachael? She called and asked about you again today. She is really anxious to meet you. Give me a call back and let me know!"

Michael sighed. The only way to get Amy to let this go was to go out with Rachael. Michael didn’t see much hope for it working out, but at least it would get Amy off his case! He had never had any luck with blind dates, having been on three and all three were disasters. But Amy was a persistent cuss, and he would have to see it through, disaster or no.

"Hi Amy, I got your message. Tell Rachael to give me a call – you can give her my number – and we will set up something," Michael said.

"Oh, that’s wonderful Michael! Oh, I will call her up right away and tell her! You two are going to have a great time I just know it!" Amy said excitedly.

"Well, we will see," he said rather impassive about the matter. He wasn’t going to get his hopes up until he has met her!

Later about 8:00 that evening, Michael was sitting in his recliner when the phone rang.

"Hello?" he said, picking up the phone.

"Is this Michael Peterson?" a female voice asked.

"Yes it is, what can I do for you?" he said.

"This is Rachael Addams, Amy’s friend. She gave me your number and said it would be okay to call you. I hope I’m not interrupting anything," she said.

"Oh yeah, no you aren’t interrupting anything. Yeah, Amy told me she would call you. So tell me a little something about you. I’m sure Amy has told you loads about me!" he said.

Rachael giggled, "Yeah, we have talked about you a little bit! Well, I am 30 years old, about five foot six inches tall, with brown hair down to the middle of my back and green eyes. I work as a dental assistant there at Hometown Dentistry,"

"A dental assistant is a pretty good job. What are some of your interests?" he asked.

"Well, I like going to the movies, going out to eat, dancing, and going for drives. I like to stay busy doing something a lot of the time. But sometimes I like staying at home and curling up in front of the TV too," she said.

"Well it sounds like we do have a few things in common, Rachael – your interests match up to mine pretty closely. So I suppose we could give this a try. Are you busy Saturday night? I thought maybe we could hit a couple of those interests if you are up for it. I mean if we don’t at least go out once, Amy will drive us both crazy!" he said chuckling.

Rachael giggled, "Yeah, she can be kinda stubborn, can’t she! Sure, I’m open for Saturday night. What time?"

"Well, I was thinking about the dinner out and drive thing, so how about around 7:00 Saturday night?" he said.

"That sounds good. Okay, I should give you my address then. I live at 1437 Elmwood Drive. It’s a yellow house with brown trim and a big old maple tree in the front yard. My phone number is 584-1332," she said.

"Got it. Okay then, I will call you Friday just to confirm things and then see you Saturday night," Michael said. "Oh, what kind of food do you like? Mexican? Italian?"

"You pick, I like just about everything and I’m sure wherever we go will be fine," she said.

"Okay, see you Saturday then," he said and hung up the phone.

Well, she sounds okay. I guess I’ll find out on Saturday. At least if it doesn’t work out, it’s just dinner and I have to eat anyway! he thought.

The rest of Michael’s week went as usual. Before he knew it, it was Friday. He made a mental note to call Rachael when he got home, just to see if things were still on for them.

“Hi Rachael, it’s Michael. Just calling to see if we are still on for tomorrow night?” he said.

“Oh, hi Michael. Yeah, I’m looking forward to meeting you. Amy has called me three times this week talking you up – I have to tell you, if you are half of what she is telling me you are, I am going to have a wonderful time!” she giggled.

“Well, then I will do my best not to disappoint either of you!” he said.

“Oh, I don’t think that will be a problem. Remember, I was the one who asked Amy to introduce us! I saw you and her talking at the barbecue and I asked Amy about you. So I have a bit of an unfair advantage!” she said.

“I guess I will have to work a bit harder then to catch up!” Michael said.

“Oooh, I like a man who puts in the effort!” Rachael said.

“Okay then, I will see you at 7:00 tomorrow night,” Michael said.

Saturday came and around about 5:00 Michael started getting ready. He had called that previous Wednesday for reservations at his favorite Italian restaurant. He was able to get a nice corner table where they could have some privacy and not have to talk over a crowd. He showered, shaved and put on a nice shirt and pants. He wanted to look nice, but not overdressed because he didn’t know what she would be wearing and it’s never good to out dress your date!

Just before leaving to pick up Rachael, he slipped on his sport coat and checked his wallet to make sure he had enough money. Yep, he could cover whatever came up with either cash or his plastic. Satisfied he was ready, he headed over to Rachael’s house.

It took about twenty minutes to get to Rachael’s house and the whole time his mind was racing. He wondered what she looked like. He wondered if Amy was telling the truth that she was good looking, or was she just trying to help out a girlfriend. He wondered if they would get along and this might be different from the others. Or maybe this was just another waste of a good shower. And he wondered where this might lead.

He was getting nervous and shifted in his seat. Wait a minute, dummy! Remember she was the one that initiated this by asking Amy to introduce her to me! What am I getting so worried about? he thought. She must already like me if she asked Amy about me! If anything she should be the nervous one!

That made him feel a little better – putting the ball in her court. He had obviously impressed her or they wouldn’t be talking ... now it was her turn to impress him! He relaxed a little and continued on to her house.

Michael found her house easily enough and pulled into the driveway. He got out and walked up to her door and rang the doorbell. A couple of moments later the door opened and Amy was there!

“Oh, hi Amy! What are you doing here?” he asked, surprised to see her.

“Oh, Rachael just needed a little moral support!” Amy said, speaking softly. “She’s in the bathroom finishing her makeup come on in – she’ll be out in a second.”

“Oh okay,” he said.

“You know Michael, she is all aflutter about tonight. She’s as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a rocking chair factory! She wants so much to impress you. So be nice and compliment her – she went to a hell of a lot of trouble for you tonight!” Amy said.

“Relax Amy ... truth be told I’m just as nervous – remember she knows what I look like! I don’t have any idea who this girl is!” he said.

“Shh! here she comes!” Amy said giving him a little elbow poke. Michael turned to get his first look at Rachael Addams...

Rachael was wearing a black and white dress about mid-thigh length with a white top and a black skirt. The front was plunged down to give him a good view of her generous 34D breasts. Her makeup was flawless and her smile was radiant. She was not just pretty she was amazing!

“Hi Michael,” she said, “I’m ready to go.”

“I’ll say! You look ... wow!” he said, faltering for words.

“Thank you,” she said blushing a bit. “I’m glad you like it. You look good too.”

“Okay, you two better get going! And don’t stay out too late, young lady – remember this is a school night!” Amy said, jokingly.

“Aww, Mom!” Rachael said, giggling. The two girls “kissed” by touching cheeks and Amy whispered “Have a good time tonight honey!” in Rachael’s ear. Then they started to leave and Rachael turned back to Amy, mouthing a silent “Thank you” to her.

He opened the door for her and helped her get seated and she smiled at his chivalry. Then he got in and they started on the way to the restaurant.

“So where are we headed, Michael?” she asked.