A fabulous singer Grace Starlin

Chapter Twelve

We pulled into Millie's and parked near the entrance. I walked in, with Nathan right behind me, and saw Bobby coming our way. Bobby is the waiter I had last time I was here with my family and crew and Willow.

"Hi, Grace. Just you today? Or is this gentleman with you?"

"Hello, Bobby. It's the two of us today. This is my boyfriend, Nathan. Nathan, this is my waiter, favorite waiter, Bobby."

"Thank you, Grace. Nice to meet you, Nathan."

"Likewise, Bobby."

"Let me bring you to your table." Bobby led us to a table with a bench that wraps around it and gave us our menus. "What can I start you off with to drink?"

"I'll have a strawberry cheesecake float."

"I'll have the same as Grace."

"Okay. Be back with your floats. You want our homemade bread and strawberry jam, too. Right, Grace?"

"You bet, Bobby. I could never pass that up. Thank you, Bobby. And good memory."

"Thank you. Now, let me get those for you."

Bobby left to get our floats, bread and jam. I talked with Nathan about what to get. Nathan was stuck between one of Millie's famous Texas Toast Grilled Cheese's and Chicken Spaghetti. Bobby came back with our floats, bread and jam and butter, about two minutes after he left our table.

"So, what can I get you to eat?"

"I'll have one of the Chicken Spaghetti meals with a side of your homemade Garlic Bread and a Caesar Salad."

"I'll have one of Millie's famous Texas Toast Grilled Cheese meals with a side of Tomato Soup."

"Okay. So, Grace, you want a Chicken Spaghetti meal with our homemade Garlic Bread and a Caesar Salad?"

"Yes. That's correct."

"Then, Nathan, you want one of Millie's famous Texas Toast Grilled Cheese meals with Tomato Soup?"

"Yes. That's right."

"Okay. Be back with your meals shortly."

"Alright." Bobby went to let the chef know what we want, so I slid even closer to Nathan and took his hands in mine. "Nathan? I need to tell you something."

"Okay. Is something wrong?"

"No. No. Everything's okay. Nothing's wrong. I just wanted you to know that I've never had a relationship, any serious relationship like ours, with anyone before. There's been a lot of guys who have tried before you, but I wouldn't go out with them. You're the first guy I have ever felt a real connection with. You stole my breath away and made my heart skip a beat the moment our eyes met. That has never happened to me before. I'm scared I might mess things up and I don't want to ruin what we have. I'm scared I'll lose you and that'll break me if I do."

"Grace? Grace, look at me." Nathan let go of my hands and held my face in his hands, wiping away the tears that escaped my eyes. "You don't have to be scared. There's not a thing you can do that will make me stop loving you. I promise you you can't mess up or ruin what we have. Don't be scared. I won't leave you. The fear of losing me will never happen. Our love, our bond, what we have, is too strong for you to lose me. I promise you everything will be okay. Whatever happens, we'll work through it together, I promise. Nothing can take away what we have and the strength of it."

"Thank you, Nathan, for saying those things. I feel a lot better knowing you feel that way. So, thank you." We kissed and I felt a lot better about myself and the relationship I have with Nathan. As I wiped the rest of my tears away, Bobby walked up to our table with our food. "Thank you, Bobby. This all smells so good. I can't wait to eat it."

"Well, dig in and enjoy. Before I go, can I get you another strawberry cheesecake float or something else to drink, at all?"

"Um… Sure. I'll have a cookies 'n' cream hot fudge shake with extra oreo chunks."

"Got it, Grace. How about you, Nathan?"

"Same. That sounds delicious."

"Alright. I'll be back with your cookies 'n' cream hot fudge shakes with extra oreo chunks."

"Alright. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Nathan."

Nathan cut his sandwich in half and took a bite. Then, I took a bite of my Chicken Spaghetti and we both said 'Mmm' and laughed.

"So, now I see why you chose Millie's for lunch. The food here and the drinks are beyond words. This is my new favorite restaurant. Thanks for choosing here for lunch, Grace. I'm glad I let you choose."

"You're welcome, Nathan. Now, shall we finish. You still have work, remember."

"Right. I forgot about work. Being with you does that to me."

"Aww. Thanks. Oh, the check's on me." Nathan went to argue, but I kissed him to stop him from saying he'll pay. "I'm paying and there's nothing you can do to prevent that." I pulled out my wallet and showed Nathan the amount of cash I had in it. "Want to argue now? Or can I pay the check?"

"Fine, you win. But I pay for desserts to go."

"Okay. Deal."

"Deal."

After we finished eating and emptied our cookies 'n' cream hot fudge shake glasses, I paid our check, gave Bobby a one hundred fifty dollar tip, Nathan paid for our peanut butter no-bake cookies, slices of banana cream pie and slices of apple crumb cake, then we left and I got back into my Jeep and, after kissing Nathan goodbye, went home.

When I got home, I searched for my Ruby Red party gown with white hearts on it. After I found it, and my white open-toed heels, I went to my bed and started reading a love story that I had. Then fell asleep.