The Love Game

CH.11 First Date

Chapter 11 First Date

Rachel P.O.V.

Lunch with the kids and Zander was so much fun. The kids could not stop laughing at each other, and Zander was there sitting next to me grazing my hand and my leg on occasion. Zander and I were happy to see that the kids got along so well. It made our decision to be together that much better. Before we left to go our separate ways, Zander pulled me aside and told me he could not wait to see me in a few hours and to dress comfortable. I was so excited about tonight. I am sure he can feel how excited I was. We both smiled as we took our kids home.

Finally the time came for Zander to come pick me up. I decided to wear my black skinny jeans, an army green t shirt, with my brown knee-high leather boots and matching leather jacket. I had the kids all situated with their babysitter and we all had our stuff ready for the new week. I hear the doorbell ring and race to get it. I open it to see Zander holding a bouquet of White roses. He was wearing plan jeans and a white t shirt under a black leather jacket. I could not help but take a second to admire all his glory.

“Hey… Are you going to let me in?” he said breaking me from my trance and I blushed.

“Yea, sorry, come in.” I open the door wider to allow him to pass.

“These are for you.” He handed me the roses.

“Tibet’s. Nice choice.” I say to him as I go to the kitchen and grab a vase and fill it with water to place them in.

“I didn’t know which flowers to get you, I hope its no too much of a cliché?” He said nervously

“Not at all, I love them. These particular roses are called Tibet because they are as white as the snow that covers their mountains.” I inhale them before putting them in the vase.

“Shall we?” He asked. I nod before poking my head in the living room and telling the kids I will be late. I get a nod from all three of them as they sit there looking like zombies in front of the TV.

“Ok I guess that’s that. Let’s go.” I grab his hand as he escorts me to his car. I was overjoyed to see what we were driving in. A fully loaded brand new Jeep Wrangler in Blue. I was hopping up and down and clapping my hands and a squeal came out of me. Zander turns to look at me.

“I guess you like?” he pointed to his car.

“I love…I actually have one myself in Red!” we laughed together and Zander shakes his head. We get into the car and I start gently touching every surface. I bit my lower lip inhaling the new car scent.

“Could you be more perfect” Zander was starring at me as he turns on the ignition.

“Why do you say that?” I lean back on my chair and give him a smirk.

“You just continue to surprise me. And please stop biting your lower lip. I am hanging on by a thread here.” He says with a coy smile and starts to drive off.

We arrive at the lake next to a dock. There was a boat there waiting for us. Zander wraps his arm around my waist and escorts me to the boat. It was a white bayliner with a blue line wrapped around it. He helps me in, and I take a seat. He gets in, unties the rope, turns on the boat and drives off. I just take in the magnificent view. Mountains at the distance, dark blue skies, endless trees. I was in heaven. Zander slows down close to an embankment. He shuts the boat down and drops anchor. He heads to a cooler and hands me a drink and then brings out a bag with food in it. He then made his way over to the bench and motions for me to join him. I smiled and obeyed. He pulls our two big sub sandwiches and two bags of chips.

“I figured since we already had burgers today, we should eat something light.” He said, caring evident in his eyes.

“That’s great!” I take one of the sandwiches and dive in. He just smiles at me with admiration.

We eat in comfortable silence, I was enjoying my sandwich too much to be disrupted. We both finish and clean up the mess. We sit back and snuggle together. It was as if we were to magnets drawn to each other. We needed to feel each other’s embrace. We talk for a little bit as we watched the sky change color.

“Rach…?” Zander softly called.

“Hmmm…?”

“Is it wrong to fall for some one so fast even after going through what we went through?” I was silent for a minute before I let me heart tell me what to say.

“I don’t think so… We needed time to grieve. We spent so much time with those people that they became part of our identity. We needed the time to figure ourselves out. How could we give ourselves to another when we are battling with our identity? If your wife were like Jonny, they would want us to not only take good care of our kids but to be happy. And I believe that if I find love again, I will embrace it, cherish it, and never let it go because it is a precious gift. Love is love, whether its at first sight, or it takes months.” We sit there in silence for a moment. I could hear his heart start to beat a little faster.

“Rach… I am falling hard for you.” I close my eyes and smile. I had this overwhelming rush of happiness pass through me. I turn to look him in the eyes. He takes moves his hands, one wraps around my waist and the other cupping my face. “I know it’s soon, but I can’t shake this feeling I have towards you. The need to be around you. To be able to spend the rest of my life with you. And how the kids get along with one another just sealed it for me. I Love you Rachel.” A lone tear escapes my eye and I smile.

“I love you too.” I whisper, he immediate started kissing me showing me the need he had. I could feel all this surge of emotion emanating from this one kiss. This was beyond magical. We pull away for air. He leans his forehead against mine.

“I Love you Rachel.”

“I Love you Zander” I pause. “I guess now we have to definitely tell the kids.” We both chuckle.

We spent the next hour just cuddling and watching the sky. On our way back home, Zander had his hand on mine, every now and then bring my hand to his lips and gently kissing the back of it. We get to my house and like a perfect gentleman he follows me to the door.

“Thanks Zander, this was a night to remember.” I smile at him.

“I’m glad you liked it.” He said starting to lean closer to me. I slowly lean in to meet him and we gently kiss each other. As we pull apart, he whispers “Goodnight my Love.” I blush and look up at him.

“Goodnight… I love you.” I open my door and before I could shut it.

“I love you Rachel.” He said at the very last minute. I just smile shamelessly closing the door completely. My heart was pounding. I was on cloud nine. Could this really be happening? I knew how to play this dating game well, but this almost seemed to good to be true. No matter, I am going to enjoy myself for once without regret. I love him and he loves me.