A Stallion Dream

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She shook her head. “You available for lunch later?”

“I actually need to go down to the courthouse and then the law library. Are you by chance available for dinner?”

Her eyebrows lifted, a hint of surprise tinting her cheeks. “D-dinner? I’m not... Well... I don’t...” she stammered.

“It’s just dinner, London. We’ve had lunch together every day for the past few weeks. Dinner would be no different.”

She rolled her eyes skyward. “The question surprised me is all. I don’t usually...”

He stalled her comment. “What? You don’t usually eat dinner? Do you have something against the evening meal?” His expression was smug as he eyed her intently, the invitation still hanging heavily between them.

“I would love to have dinner with you,” she said finally.

Collin grinned. “I can pick you up at seven.”

“Why don’t I meet you?” she answered. “I think that would be more appropriate.”

Collin laughed, “Whatever you say, Counselor.”

“What about Jimmy’s Food Store?”

“We’re doing dinner, not lunch, Ms. Jacobs. Let’s say Truluck’s on McKinney Avenue at seven. I’ll call and reserve us a table.”

London thought to argue but Collin was out the door before she could respond. She took a step after him, suddenly thinking that dinner might be a mistake, but before she could follow after him and cancel, Perry was summoning her to a meeting. As she headed in that direction, two thoughts crossed her mind. This dinner is a huge mistake. And what the hell am I going to wear?

* * *

Paula and Felicia were pulling clothes out of London’s closet like they were shopping at Premium Outlets’s bargain basement sale. Dresses were flying from one side of the bedroom to the other, all landing in the center of her queen-size bed, if not on the floor.

“You can never go wrong with a little black dress,” Paula said.

Felicia jumped up and down excitedly. “How about that lace number you bought for that thing last year with what’s his name that you backed out of at the last minute? You know which dress I’m talking about,” she said, looking from London to Paula.

Paula laughed. “I am deeply disturbed that I do know exactly what dress you’re talking about,” she said as she rushed back to the closet, searching frantically through London’s wardrobe. “The black lace, slightly off the shoulder, that stopped at her knees. That dress was hot!”

“I am not wearing black lace!” London exclaimed, eyeing them both like they’d lost their minds. “This is not a date.”

“Like hell it isn’t!” Felicia exclaimed. “Dinner at Truluck’s Seafood Steak and Crab House is definitely a date.”

“Dinner with a man that fine is definitely a date!” Paula added.

London reached for her cell phone. “That’s it. I’m canceling,” she said as she began to scroll through her contact list.

Felicia snatched the device from her hands. “You’re doing no such thing.”

“Why in the world would you cancel?” Paula asked, finally laying her hands on that black lace. She held the dress up for the other two to see. “Now, this is special!”

London shook her head. “Oh, hell no! I am not wearing that dress and I don’t care how cute it is. That is not the impression I’m trying to make. I’m wearing a suit.”

Felicia shrugged. “You might be right. That dress says you want to get laid. But then again—” she pretended to slap her forehead before continuing “—you do want to get laid!” she laughed heartily.

London was not amused, and she said so. “You’re not helping!”

Paula held up a second dress. “This is what you’re wearing,” she said. “This is perfect!”

The other two women turned to stare. Paula held up a form-fitting sheath dress in a simple floral print with the neckline, sleeves and hem piped in black. It was simple, elegant and a favorite of London’s that she had yet to wear, the price tag still hanging from the dress label at the zipper.

“Very pretty!” Felicia exclaimed.

London nodded. “That’s not bad. That might work.”

“You need to get dressed,” Paula admonished. “It’s already six o’clock and you’re going to hit traffic with your luck.”

Thirty minutes later London stood in front of her full-length mirror, admiring her reflection. Felicia had twisted her natural hair into an updo that flattered her slight frame and Paula had perfected her makeup, adding just enough color to her face to brighten her eyes and give her a less casual appearance. Her two besties stood huddled together like proud parents sending her off to the prom. They were teary eyed and emotional, and they made her laugh.

“You’re going to blow him away,” Felicia said.

“You look fabulous!” Paula added.

“You two really need to get yourselves a life,” London said, her cheeks a brilliant shade of bright red.

Paula laughed with her. “We’re living vicariously through you.”

“Which is why you need to get you some tonight,” Felicia added. “I put condoms in your purse, just in case.”

London shook her head. “Lock the door when you leave, please,” she said, throwing them both a look. “I’ll call you both when I get home.”

Her friends grinned. “Just have a good time,” they both echoed simultaneously.

* * *

The drive to the restaurant was fraught with energy London hadn’t expected to feel. Despite her efforts to show indifference about meeting up with Collin, she was actually very excited. And anxious. Nervous tension cramped her stomach and had her perspiring like she’d just run a marathon. For the life of her she couldn’t begin to explain it if she tried.

London was no stranger to dating. She did it regularly, with a fair degree of success. She enjoyed the repartee, the subtle teasing and flirtation, and on occasion, mind-blowing sex without commitment. After the experience of one serious relationship having gone very badly, she had no interest whatsoever in a long-term relationship and quickly dismissed any man who wasn’t willing to play by the rules she established. And London had a long list of rules.

The men she dated had to be adequately employed, motivated to be successful, politically savvy, philanthropically invested in others, considerate of her grassroots mind-set, respectful of their elders and women, and not overtly religious since it had been some time since she’d last seen the inside of anyone’s church. There was no kissing on the first date. There had to be a minimum of five dates before she even contemplated being intimate with a man. She didn’t do last-minute invitations and expected outings to be planned well in advance. She was not a fan of spontaneity and she hated surprises. She never invited a man to her home, never had sex with him in her bed and never spent the night in his bed unless it was a planned getaway in a luxury hotel.

She could be fastidious, obsessive, slightly anal and not always as accommodating as she expected her male counterparts to be. She was a handful for most men and unapologetic about it. Maintaining control ensured her heart didn’t get broken, she didn’t get hurt and the relationships that didn’t work could end as amicably as she needed them to.

Now she was headed to dinner with a man who had no idea about her rule book, and she hadn’t had an opportunity to ensure he was willing to play by her rules. But it wasn’t a date, she thought, fighting the urge to turn her car around and go back home. It was dinner and one meal couldn’t possibly hurt either of them.

* * *

Collin stood outside of Truluck’s, pacing anxiously back and forth as he waited for London to arrive. He hadn’t returned to the office after leaving the law library and he hadn’t called her, not wanting to give her the opportunity to change her mind. He had learned enough about London Jacobs to theorize she would have called by now if she intended to cancel. He could only begin to imagine how she was rationalizing their sharing a meal. Apparently, she was particular about who she dated, and he imagined that despite the friendship blooming between them, he hadn’t yet made it to her short list. But he had high hopes.