“High society women are like that,” I tell her. “They all have an agenda and you’re a fresh face in their pond of groupies.”
Daisy looks at me with bemusement and I shrug. It’s something I’ve come to learn about the people who have too much money to throw around. We step up to the bar when it’s our turn. My hand is on her back, refusing to move.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Um… a whiskey and Coke?” By the face she makes I know for certain she hasn’t had a drink like this before. I find that odd, since she’s in college, but it also makes sense since she’s been taking care of her grandfather. The last thing I want is for her to be puking on her birthday, especially tonight. Maybe on my next off day we can tie one on.
“The lady will have a Seabreeze and I’ll have a Sam Adams,” I tell the bartender who looks at Daisy for a brief moment. I’m guessing he’s trying to figure if she’s legal or not, or he could be eyeing her like every other dude in this place.
“What’s a Seabreeze?” she asks, leaning into me. I find this naïve part of her cute. My sister likes this drink, so I figure it’s a safe bet.
“It’s Vodka, Cranberry and grapefruit juice. I’m hoping you like those types of juices?” She shrugs in a sort of non-committal way.
The bartender places her drink and my bottle of beer on the bar. We thank him and take our drinks. With my hand on her back, I guide her in the direction of our table, only stopping twice for people to talk to her. I like that they’re interested in her and not me. When we finally get to our table, I set my beer down so I can pull her chair out.
When she sits, her dress poofs out around her and I try not to laugh as she attempts to tuck it under her legs. I help her pull her chair in before sitting down and once I’m seated, I’m holding her hand.
“In case I haven’t told you, you look stunning.”
Her cheeks darken as she bows her head, turning ever so slightly to look at me. “I do believe I remember the words you said when I opened the door.”
I lean in, taking a deep whiff of her perfume. “Care to repeat them?”
Daisy shakes her head, but can’t hold back the grin forming on her lips.
“Happy Birthday, Beautiful,” I say as I kiss her just below her ear. “We can celebrate later.” I’m unable to gauge her reaction because my name is being called from the podium. I have to give a speech tonight and it’s on the top of the list of things I didn’t want to be doing this evening. I leave Daisy seated at our table as I make my way to the front of the room. Once in place, I take a deep breath to calm my nerves and control the inevitable twitch that starts in my hand.
“Good evening.” The applause is loud and continues on for a moment. Once it dies down, I look down at the typed words on the cards in front of me and clear my throat. I should’ve read this before I arrived, but I was too preoccupied with thoughts of seeing Daisy. For someone who hasn’t had any media training, they definitely sent the wrong guy. As I read over the speech, I realize I can’t say any of this stuff.
“I want to say thank you for having Daisy and I tonight as your guests. I think this is the first time I’ve been in a room where no one wants to talk about baseball. I know she’s beautiful, but she’s going home with me.”
Everyone laughs and I half expect Daisy to turn away, but she’s focused on me.
“Steve wanted me to let everyone know that he’s sorry he couldn’t be here, and was kind enough to write my speech. Thing is, I didn’t read it beforehand and I’m not sure it works for tonight.
“We’ve all come together for one reason – to raise money for the community. I’m not going to ask you to open your checkbooks and start scribbling your name. Instead, I’m going to ask that you think about what it means to give back, because sometimes it’s not always about the money. When I’m not playing, I’m walking the children’s wing of the hospital or I’m down at the community center helping to repair a swing set or painting over the graffiti’d walls. I could just give them money, but without volunteers to actually do the work, that money is being spent on contractors when it could be spent directly on the children. My mom always used to say ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you’ll feed him for life.’ Even though I know we’re not teaching these kids to make their own meals, I’d like to think that the same applies here.
“So tonight, when you’re asked to open your checkbooks, please consider volunteering your time as well. One is good but without the other, neither one will go nearly as far.”
Daisy is the first one to stand and start clapping. Others quickly follow her, as the applause grows louder. I’ve had standing ovations before, but this one is by far the best.
“That was amazing,” she says as she molds herself into my arms. Holding her has to be the best thing on earth, and especially right now. I have no doubt, that after tonight, other things are going to start ranking up on the best list right along with her.
I’m nervous about taking her to my place. All night I’ve thought about how I would ask her to come to my place. Only for our night to end before the words could be said. Call me a chicken or a coward, but it’s just hard to grasp whether she likes me or not. Sure, tonight she was on par with the likability, but there are times when I can’t read her at all.
The driver stops and suddenly my hands are twitching and my palms are sweating. My mouth is dry and my tongue feels like its three feet thick in my mouth. My fear is that when I finally have the guts to speak, I’ll be too hard to understand and she’ll make fun of me.
“Is this your place?” she asks, breaking the ice. God, she’s amazing and perfect. I don’t know if she senses my unease or what, but she has a way of making me feel comfortable.
“Yes. I thought we could go in for a bit and celebrate your birthday.”
“I’d like that.” Even in the dark of the back seat I can see her smile. As soon as I pull the lever to open my door, the driver is out of the car and opening the door for Daisy. I stay seated, watching as she takes his hand to get out and her dress falls perfectly into place. I groan, thinking about what’s underneath, wondering if I’m going to get a visual or have to rely strictly on my imagination.
“Will you be needing my services?” The driver asks when I come around the back to meet Daisy.
“No, thank you,” I tell him. Daisy will have to go home eventually, but I’ll be driving her there and walking her to her door like a proper gentlemen.
I hold Daisy’s hand and walk slowly up the steps to my brownstone. I have a feeling she already knew where I lived, but was playing along to save my dignity. Once inside, she lets go of my hand and walks straight into my living room. I have the lights on timers to ward off burglars. Plus, it’s nice coming home to a few lights on after a game. Makes me feel like someone is waiting up for me.
“Feel free to look around.” I set my keys on the table and slip off my tuxedo jacket as I follow her around. She moves from the living room into the kitchen, touching various things. I stand in the doorway when she walks into my room, watching her take everything in.
When she turns, I’m already undoing my bowtie. The air between us is crackling with a combination of what I can only hope is sexual tension and nervous excitement. We each take one or maybe two steps and then our mouths are crashing into each other. I hiss at the contact. My skin burns when we touch and my ache grows. My desire for her is fueled when her tongue seeks permission to enter my mouth. There’s nothing slow about this kiss. It’s nothing like I ever imagined it would be. Her fingers are in my hair and my right hand is cupping her face while my left arm is holding her to me. Her hands start roaming up and down my chest, and with the slightest tug of my buttons, I’m walking her backwards toward my bed.