Strength After Him

Chapter 17-Dinner for Two

I stared at her for a moment, weighing my thoughts, before finally responding. “What is it you want to tell Charles? You have to tell me first, before anyone else,” I said firmly, yet gently.

“Mom… you look sad. Is it because of what I just said?” Ivy asked. “But I still didn’t respond… Mom, I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

I froze, my heart tightening. How could I tell her the truth without breaking her little world? The room felt heavier, every second stretching, and I could feel the weight of her words pressing down on me. Just then, my phone rang, it was Charles. I hesitated before picking up, ready to unleash my thoughts, but when I finally did, I noticed I had managed to hold my cool. His voice was calm, steady, and I couldn’t help but smile.

As he asked questions, I found myself nodding in agreement, almost automatically. Then he asked, “Can we go on a date, just the two of us?” I didn’t realize when I said yes. Going out alone with him meant Ivy would have to stay with Maria while I was away.

Even after saying yes, I told him, “Give me a few minutes to confirm if tonight will actually be possible.” I quickly called Maria, and she didn’t hesitate. “I’m ready to put everything on hold so you can see Charles,” she said.

“Is that how she likes him, someone she hasn’t even met before?” I thought. “Or is she trying to make me see reasons not to lose Charles?” I shook my head, letting out a small laugh. “Well… let’s see how this goes between us.”

The evening came faster than I had expected. I dressed in my most beautiful gown, perfect for dinner. My makeup was on point, every detail in place. I looked so put together that I was sure Charles wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off me, though I wasn’t doing it to attract him. While driving to drop Ivy off at Maria’s, she wouldn’t stop asking questions, her curious little voice filling the car. “Mom, why are you dressed like a princess tonight? Where are you going without me?”

I glanced at her through the mirror and smiled. “It’s just dinner, Ivy. Mr. Charles invited me out, and I couldn’t say no.”

Her eyes widened, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Dinner? With Mr. Charles? Mom, that sounds like a date!”

I almost choked on air. “It’s not a date, Ivy,” I said quickly, though my cheeks warmed. “It’s just… dinner. That’s all.”

“Alright, Mom,” she said softly, folding her arms with a little pout. “But I would have loved to go with you to see him.”

I shook my head, trying not to laugh at her persistence. “No, Ivy,” I corrected gently, “The meeting is just for two adults. Don’t worry, some other time you’ll get to see him.”

She leaned her head against the window, pretending to sulk, but the tiny smile tugging at her lips gave her away. When I dropped Ivy off, Maria smiled warmly. “I hope you have a nice time with Charles,” she said, her voice soft but teasing. Then she got closer, lowering her tone as if she didn’t want Ivy to overhear.

“Ava, I know you’re not really ready for this,” she said, her eyes searching for mine. “I can see it. But you have to be open.”

Her words lingered. How could she see straight through me, see that deep down I wasn’t ready at all?

“Take the past off your mind,” Maria continued firmly, her hand brushing my shoulder. I could only nod in agreement, even though inside, my heart wasn’t so sure that it wasn't over.

Arriving at the restaurant, Charles spotted me first. His mouth fell slightly open, eyes wide in awe, and before I could even settle, he rushed toward me. He took my hand and guided me to the table, his grip warm and confident.

I felt my cheeks heat up, a blush spreading across my face, and my smile couldn’t hide my excitement.” Be calm, Ava,” I whispered to myself, though it was clear Charles had finally gotten to me.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you again, Ava. And you look splendid, wow!” he said. I told him he was not looking bad either, and we both smiled. We got some drinks while we waited for our food. While sipping, he asked about Ivy. I told him she had always asked about him and wanted to be here. Charles shook his head. “It’s just me and you tonight,” he said.

“Oh, so now I’m here,” I said, smiling faintly. “Can you tell me why we’re having this dinner?”

He said there wasn’t much planned, just that he wanted to spend some time with me. I noticed him staring for a moment, and I gave him a questioning look, curious about what he was thinking. Charles leaned in slightly, his voice steady and sincere. He spoke of his interest in me, how he wanted me in his life, and how he longed for a mother figure for his daughter. He admitted he craved a bubbling life and wished never to experience loneliness again. His words carried a weight that lingered in the air between us. I stared at him, taking in the kind of man Charles was. Gentle in his ways, careful with his choice of words, and the way he looked at me carried a respect I had never known. It was an entirely different experience, something I had never felt with George, or any man before him.

“Are you still with me? Say something to me, Ava,” he asked, leaning forward.

“Oh yes, oh yes… I’m with you, Charles,” I blurted out, nodding quickly as my fingers nervously traced the rim of my glass. A small smile tugged at my lips. “I really like you. The few minutes we’ve spent together, you’ve proven to be such a nice man, not only to me, but to my daughter.”

I let out a soft laugh, lowering my eyes for a moment before looking back at him. “You made her feel loved, and she can’t stop talking about you. That’s how much you’ve filled her little heart.”

I leaned forward across the table, my eyes locked on his, my hands resting on each other as though I was trying to steady myself. “Can you do me a favor?” He tilted his head, as he asked. “What is it?”

“Can we just take things easy… let’s get to know each other better?” I asked, my voice careful, almost pleading. I inhaled deeply, the air catching a little in my chest. My fingers laced together on the table as he finally nodded. “Yes… let’s just take it one step at a time. No rush.”

I sighed, almost whispering now. “I’ve made mistakes in the past, and I don’t want to repeat them again.”

Charles exhaled like he had been holding his breath the whole time. A slow smile spread across his face as he reached out, his fingertips brushing the back of my hand gently before pulling back.