Forgotten

The date

Mathew's POV

When I got back to the hotel. The piles of paperwork Nate had brought from the pack house for me to go through are discouraging. I have neglected my business since learning about my mate. I run my eyes through the first stack of papers that has Stella's on it. The manager Kiki advised me a week ago that we needed two more waitresses, a cook, another busboy, and a replacement Hostess due to firing one. I'll look through the applications, and the interview notes Kiki sent and sign off on all the people she had picked for the positions. I trusted Kiki's judgment she is part of my pack and knows the importants of hiring quality employees. I then continue to the four other restaurants. Needing extra staff due to its growing popularity. Three more applications came in yesterday morning from businesses applying to put shops in my open spaces in the mall the next town over. I sign the paperwork picking the ones I decided to grant leasing to. I paid all the bills to all my businesses, all the expenses from the pack. Now on to the hotels! My phone rings. Hello, I say hearing Clints voice on the other end. Did you get it? I ask. Yes he advised. I'll be sending you the paperwork in an email. All you have to do is sign the papers and send them back. Clint is my lawyer. I have all the other branches of the hotels as well. They will all be sent in just a few minutes.

There he says as my computer dings notifying I have an email. Ok, I'll get these signed and have them back as soon as possible. let's get these places fixed up as soon as possible. I want everything ligit no mistakes! I say hanging up. As soon as I am finishing up with the inventory and rest of the bills from my other businesses my phone chimes yet again.

Nate: she started getting ready about an hour ago.

Should be finishing up in a bit. Are you going on this date to our am I still chaperoning??

Me: You do it. I won't be able to control myself with him touching her. Make sure he doesn't cross a line and make sure she is safe. Protect your Luna.

Nate: no problem boss. Want me to break his arm if he touches her?

Me: as much as I would like that don't get involved unless you have to. I don't want her getting the wrong idea about us.

Nate: Affirmative!

I walk out of my room and head down to the edge of the forest in the back of the hotel. I need a run.

Jacob's POV

It's about twenty minutes until I'm due to pick Joe up. I'm ecstatic. I can't believe this is finally happening. I thought for sure she would tell me we could only be friends. I honestly didn't think she would give me the time of day. Not that she is that type of girl. I just kno what our friendship means to her. I can see her not wanting to change that, or possibly ruin it. Honestly it wouldn't have mattered one way or the other I am always going to be there for Joe, I love her. I will always love her. Even if I can't be with her. I can't live without her in my life. As I start the car and pull out, I hook up the radio and hit play on mine and Joe's favorite playlist we made together. As I pull into her drive my heart is beating a thousand miles an hour. I turn off the car and walk up to the door and knock. When she Answers the door, I am amazed. She has never looked more beautiful.

She is wearing a long sleeve blue shirt with silver and black designs on the front. Looks like one of those expensive shirts, I don't know who the designer is. I don't follow or pay attention to fashion like some do. I'm pretty plain Jane and simple. She has tight dark blue jeans on and her favorite pair of black boots. Her skin is flawless. It shimmers and glows in all the right places. Her lips a succulent brick red. I stare at her lips wanting to kiss them . You look beautiful I say to her. Ready to go? I ask. Thank you. Yes, I'm ready. she says closing the door behind her. I take her hand and walk her to the car opening the door for her and shutting it after she gets in. Thanks she says as I climb back into the car. The radio starts back up. She turns the dial up and starts belting out the song. I'm glad she can be herself around me. When we are pulling up at the restaurant. I turn down the radio and see her eyes get big. How did you get reservations at this place? She asks. Knowing it's always booked up. I have connections. I say. As I walk around to help her out of the car. I take her hand and lead her in. This feels so right her hand in mine. I want this to last forever. We sit down at the table, and I order us some wine. Joe's favorite cranberry wine. she smiles and nods her head at the waiter agreeing. He leaves to get our order. I take her hand and clear my throat. Here goes nothing I say to myself. Joe, I. I just want to say thank you. Thank you for giving me this chance. I promise you I won't mess this up. I could never hurt you. You are my best friend. I am so happy that we are here together. she smiles that georgous smile at me. I'm glad we could do this together. she says. but then pauses. I.... I just. hesitating she bites her lip. Go ahead. I say to her. Remember our promise. I have a lot on my mind right now Jacob. She says. I can't seem to keep my thought process straight anymore. I'm not saying I don't like this cause I do. I just..... I just need this to go really slow. I don't want either of us to get hurt. she finishes. I understand that completely. I say. Let's just enjoy this night together, and each other's company. No expectations. Promise I say. We talk through dinner, and she finally relaxes a bit after her first glass of wine is gone. It is so easy with her. After dinner I took her for a short drive enjoying the view. We parked and started talking about our call the other night. It was a bad one.

I just don't know how you leave a child unattended in the bathtub. She cried out in frustration. Agreeing with her I say. We never should have gotten that call. I'm glad we were able to save that baby, but those parents should be arrested for child endangerment. You can't let kids that size out of your site for even a minute. You know, when I walked threw the door and she threw that blue baby in my arms I about peed myself for a minute. She says. You did great! I tell her. You wouldn't have ever known you were so nervous about it. Handled it like a champ. It just frustrated me to no end she says grabbing her hands full of her own hair and sighing loudly. I'm glad she is going to be OK though. Me too! I say. The conversation ends and she yawned so I took her home. Walking her to her door and stopping there. I ask. may I give you a kiss good night? Yes, she said. I grab her gently by her chin and tilt her head up meeting my lips with hers. I'll talk to you tomorrow. I tell her pulling back, looking her up and down. ok, she says and walks into the house.

Joe's POV

Jacob is sooo sweet, and I can't believe he got reservations at Absedy's. Not a bad kisser either. I just wish I could get my mind off of Matt when I am with him. It's not fair to him. Look at me over here treating a perfectly great guy this way when I have no idea what the others intentions are for me. Is this a date or an apology dinner. Does he like me, or is he just sorry he ran me over? I am so confused with all these emotions. They like us! I hear my inner monolog chime in. How would you kno if he likes us or not? I ask myself. Well he did just ask us to dinner she chimed in. Yea, but there wasn't any flirting. We belong with them! How would you know who we belong with. How can you tell a difference at this point? Hell he might not even be interested in us like that. I say inner monologing. No, the voice in my head says. Didn't you feel the connection when we touched? That hasn't ever happened with anyone. They are special. ok....., what's with the talking in the third person all of the sudden and who is they. He is just one man. A very hot one I state out loud talking to myself. I'm going crazy I need sleep I giggle. Bedtime I ring out heading up the stairs. I wake up in the morning anxious. What in the hell are you so anxious about? I ask myself.

Seeing them tonight. I answer my self in my head. This is going to be so much fun. What are we going to wear? How should we fix our makeup I start asking myself? My stomach rumbles and I get out of bed. Worry later, food Now. I state walking to the kitchen.

I grab a pumpkin donut and stuff it in my mouth. As I pull out the frying pan and pam spray. I spray the pan down while munching on the donut. I walk to the fridge and grab the bacon, eggs, some spinach, and Colby Jack cheese. Then I walk to the cupboard and pull out two slices of sourdough bread. I cook my bacon to just barley done. I crack three eggs in the pan and start frying them adding in the spinach and the cheese. When it's all done, I make my sandwich with extra bacon on the side. I grab an orange juice out of the fridge and pop it open and take a big drink. Mmmmm so good. I finish eating and clean up the kitchen and decide I want to go for a run. I run back upstairs and put on some leggings and grab a hoodie to go over my sports bra. Out the door and up my favorite trail. About an hour later I come running back up to my house still dwelling on Matt. Hopefully tonight will give me some indication of what this guy's intentions are and possibly get him out of my head I groan. I run up the stairs and strip down jumping in the shower. After I put my Brad Mondo's new curl solution in my hair. I wrap it up in my curlers. cover it back up to keep in some heat and head back to the kitchen for a snack. I throw some bacon left over from breakfast in a bowl and add spinach, cheese, extra pickles and some black olives. I grab some ranch and go sit down. I devour ever bite. Yum! I say smacking my lips. Guess I should figure out what I am going to wear tonight. I get in my closet and start looking around when I hear a ding. I walk over and pick my phone up off my night stand and switch it on. New message. Unknown number.

No name: I was thinking I could pick you up around four thirty. The place I want to take you is in the next town over if that's OK?

Me: I will assume this is Matt (I type laughing out loud)

No name: Who else have you given your number to lately?

Me: no one, that's why I said I assume! lol

No name: lol, ok. So four thirty is OK with you then?

Me: Yes, see you then.

No name: Formal dress. Can't wait to see you gorgeous!

Me: ? me either, and thank you.

Saving his number I stare at my phone for a minute before squealing and putting it back down on the charger.

Well, I guess that answers both my questions. I say to myself. Now to find something to wear. I pull out a stunning blue sapphire dress with jewels across the upper out line that cuts low showing off the assets. With one shoulder strap the dress ends right at my hip on one side and barely grazes the floor in the other. There are strings of silver jewels all over the dress. I match the dress with simple but elegant black pumps with silver jewels on them. Ok, now for the under garments. I had just gotten in my most recent order from adore me. I love love love to online shop while I'm at work. Of course most everything I order is lace. Ok, Red? No. Pink, nope! Black.... Maybe! Blue hmm. Blue or black? I go back and fourth in my head trying to make a decision. I finally decide on the black. The bra is black lace shimmering with silver intricate designs. The pattern crisscrossing in the front. I jump in the shower and do a quick wash up and use my Vanilla Bean body wash mmmm. It smells so good. I lather up with the same Vanilla Bean lotion that has some shimmer in it. I throw on my bra and undies that match. Heading for the vanity I grab the hair spray and apply to my curlers. I moisturize my face and grab my lose powder applying some lightly. I apply a light blush, then line my lips with a dark brown, stain red then gloss to lock in that wonderful brick red color I love. I spritz my face with setting spray. I let my curls down and spray them again lightly comming threw a few places for lift. I pull out one of my favorites the diamond pallet and pick out a dark blue that matches my dress and I make it fade into a light shimmery purple in both corners. I line my eyes with a black liner and perfect I say. looking at my handy work. I look at the clock I have thirty minuets left before Matt is going to be here. I slip into my dress and of course struggle zipping it up. I put my pumps on and say a silent prayer. Please don't let me fall on my face tonight. I check everything one last time and hear the doorbell ring. Coming I yell down the stairs. I reach the bottom of the stairs and my heart is racing. I place my hand on the door knob and take a deep breath opening it. Wow! My heart felt like it was in the pit of my stomach. This man is incredibly gorgeous. There he is standing in the door way in a black tux with a dark blue tie that matches my dress. Hmm I think... lucky guess.

Hi. He says. He reaches out his hand for mine. He takes my hand and I instantly feel electricity running up my hand from where he is touching my hand. You look beautiful he says smiling at me. Just let me lock up I say. I turn and lock the door placing my keys in my clutch. He takes my hand again and I turn and see a dark grey 2022 Chevy Tahoe . Man it looks sharp. He opens my door and helps me in. Climbing in the driver side he starts the car and says seatbelt. He grabs the belt before I can and fastens it securely across my body sending shocks threw my body when he grazes both my arms in the process. I gaze in his eyes. I could stay lost in that gaze forever. He clears his throat bring me back to reality. I blush and look down as he chuckles. So Joe tell me a little about yourself. What do you do for a living? Oh, I'm a medic I say turning to face him. Wow that's awesome he says. What made you want to do something like that? Well my mom was a nurse before she passed. I always knew I wanted to do something in health care but wasn't sure until after I had gotten a job as a dispatcher. The pay was good but I felt like I couldn't help enough. So, I decided to go get my EMT then I leveled up if that's what you want to call it to a paramedic.

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom he says. How long has it been? Oh, she died suddenly right before my eighteenth birthday. I see he says. What about the rest of your family? Well, my dad disappeared when I was around five. I never got to know his parents and mom wouldn't ever talk about them after dad was gone. Her parents moved when I was ten to Arizona. We still talk every week but I rarely get time anymore to go visit. So, no siblings then? He asks. No it was just me and my mum growing up. We talked some more getting to know each other on the way to the restaurant. Went threw the whole favorites list. color, food, smells, drinks. Music which is course of my favorite subject excluding food. I found myself looking at his hands and arms dreaming about his touch. About how it would feel for him to hold me in his arms. When we pulled in to the most expensive looking place I had ever seen. He pulled straight up to the entrance and gets out. He walked to my side of the car and he opened the door for me. The valet come running as soon as he sees Matt. The valet takes the keys and addressees Matt. Nice to see you this evening Mr. Knighten. Your table is ready as usual. Thanks Tommy he says slapping him in the back. Come here often I ask? He takes my hand chucking and leads me threw the door to one of the tables in the back of the restaurant that looks to close of to be more private if needed. It is the perfect placement. Not to far from the entrance, kitchen, or bathrooms but just far enough away from the other sets of tables that it has enough privacy.

Wow! I say. This place is amazing. He pulls out my chair and helps me get seated. I look up at the most intricate, elegant golden chandler with crystals hanging. the restaurants colors are a soft pink champagne with real wood finishings and gold trim. He told the waiter to bring the usual. When the waiter came back he was carrying a bottle I had never seen before. the color was light red. swirl, smell, then taste. Oh my gosh I say as the wine dance along my taste buds. I don't think I have ever tasted anything so good. It's perfect. How did you know cranberry wine is favorite? I didn't he says. This is one of my favorites I thought we could try mine then order something you wanted to try and then decide what we were having with dinner. I'm glad you like it he says. So, what about you? I ask. Tell me about your family. Well my dad died a couple of years ago. I still have my mom and little sister. I have lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. We all live really close so it's like we have our own personal little village. We are all very close. I took over the business when dad died and have now expanded quite a bit. So I manage them and spend lots of time with my family. What do you do in your down time? he asks. When I'm about to answer the waiter comes back to take our order. Oh, I'm sorry I was so caught up in the conversation I haven't had time to look at the menu. I'm not sure what they have here. Well you can never go wrong with a stake he says smiling at me. That sounds great I will have that. I look at the waiter and state medium rare with sauteed mushrooms, loaded baked potato, and salad with ranch. Please and thank you. Make that too he says. The waiter writes it down, places another bottle of wine in the cooler, and walks back to the kitchen. I look up from my glass and he is staring at me. Our eyes lock and once again. I am lost in those dark brown eyes. Then suddenly I see a hint of green appearing through the brown. They are mesmerizing. He touches my arm and sparks fly through me as I let out a soft moan. Whoa! Where did that come from I inner monologue. I said suddenly I am way aware of my behavior and pull my hand back. He frowns, Did I do something wrong? he asks. No, I just.. I clear my throat. I need to use the restroom. He points to the restroom and I all but sprint to it. When I am through the door I press my back to it and slide down sitting in the floor. What in the hell was that I asked myself? We like him my inner monologue says. yeah, a little too much I think. I say out loud to myself. What am I going to do? It's like I lose all self control with him. No, it's more we can be ourselves with him I hear in my head. Well whichever it is it kind of scares me. I have to be careful around him. I barely know him. We know enough said the voice. No we don't I argue with myself. They are waiting on us. Yes I know he is waiting guess I better stop freaking out and get back. I get up off the floor check myself in the mirror, wash my hands and go back to the table. When I return our food is being placed. Oh my gosh this looks so good! He smiles and says wait till you taste it. I see lust flash in his eyes. I smile and sit back down placing my napkin in my lap. I take another big drink of my wine. He feels up my glass and says you know you can be yourself around me. I want to get to know you. You do I question? Very much so he says. Okay I say smiling at him. I relax a bit not sure if it was that statement or the wine but I decided I'm going to give this a chance. When we are finished with our meal he ordered dessert asking me what I preferred. We ended up going for a Banana Foster with chocolate mousse it was delicious. When we are finished he takes my hand and escorts me to the front where the vehicle is waiting. Would you like to get a drink before I take you home? Sure I say. We pull into a little diner with a coffee cup sign glowing in the window. What would you like? Hmmm... a hot chocolate with cinnamon please I say. Would you like whipped cream in that deer? the lady at the counter asks? Yes please I say. She looks to him then. He says I'll have the same. I turn and look at him. I've never had it that way he says but I'm guessing it'll be my new favorite. We drink our hot chocolate and listen to the jukebox. As we are finishing up keep of the stars comes on. He looks to me and puts out his hand. May I have this dance? I slide my hand in his enjoying the electrifying touch. He spins me around and catches me in his arms starting the dance. I'm moving closer to him and enjoy my body being in such close proximity to his it's like my body yearns for his. When the song ends he thanks me for the dance, pays the bill and we walk back to the car. When we pull in the drive he gets out and opens my door. Helping me out of the car he takes my hand and walks me to the door. I really had a great night tonight he says. Yes, i agree with him. It was a lot of fun. Can I take you out again he asks? I blush and say I would love that. He inches closer to me places his hand under my chin lifting it up he snakes his other arm around me. leaning in and pausing just long enough to read my body language staring deeply into my soul. when I inch closer he suddenly crashes his lips on mine pinning me against the brick wall. He devours my lips as he presses himself into me. He suddenly pulls backas we catch our breathe looking me in the eyes he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear pecks my lips again softly. Good night love. Good night I stutter out. I grab my keys from my purse and unlock the door. Once I am inside I peek out the window to see him once more. He is pulling out of the driveway. I touch my lips reminiscing. Damn! What a kiss!