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Chapter 4 - Dating Again Tash had spent a restless night, practically prowling her apartment. Her dog had eyed her speculatively all night long, wondering what was going on inside her head. It was early on Saturday morning, and Tash watched the sun rise, bemused with herself for feeling like a lovesick girl. There was a certain part of her holding back, sure that this was all a crazy dream from which she would awaken very soon. She thought about the sudden bond she had with the man she barely knew. Was it simply a wistful longing for another person to share her life with? For over a year now she had thought only about Josh, and grieved for the passing of their life together. He had been severed from her, and she had been left to pick up the pieces. There was still a little bit of resentment towards him for leaving her that night. She had begged him not to go, telling him she had a bad feeling about it, but he had brushed aside her worries as if they were inconsequential. He'd had a gig to get to in San Antonio, and there was no stopping him. Unfortunately there had been no stopping the drunken driver that had plowed right into him either, in a head on collision, killing the both of them instantly. She sighed softly, and suddenly thought of how she seemed to sigh a lot where Josh was concerned here lately. Why must she be continually thinking of him, even on this morning when a new man was in her forecast? Well, she might as well clean the apartment if she was going to daydream. She got up and rummaged through her closet, looking for her vacuum cleaner. She began to methodically vacuum, dust, and wash whatever she could get her hands on. When the clock struck 6 o'clock she gasped and realized that even though she now had a spotless apartment, her date was due in an hour! She had been cleaning from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.! She had finally decided to put Josh's clothes and things away, into a closet, where they were now neatly arranged - and locked up tight. It had felt like an amputation, but she knew she had to do it, and she felt a little bit better. She rushed into the laundry room, pulling out clothes left and right, frantically trying to decide what to wear. He hadn't even told her what they would be doing, so how was she suppose to know what to wear!? Would it be casual, or dressy? 'Oh God,' she thought, 'what am I going to do? I don't even have his number!' She stared at the new pile of clothes on the washer, and willed herself to relax. Again came that sarcastic voice in the back of her head, 'You are acting like a lovesick girl. Pull yourself together!' She finally, after a moment, picked out a pair of jean shorts and a T-shirt. She would wait and ask him when he got here, and then she could dress. She dressed and headed to the bathroom, where she did her hair up into a French twist, to get it out of her face. She applied her make-up, and made sure all the necessary appendages and crevices, such as arm pits and legs, were shaved. She had just finished painting her toenails when she heard a light knock at the door, which set her dog Maggie to barking her head off. She was in the kitchen in her pen though, so Tash didn't have to worry about her running up to the door. Tash realized there were knots in the pit of her stomach, but she compelled herself to be steady, and walked to the door and opened it. There he was again, still dressed in jeans and a simple white tank top. Just looking at those arms made her a little woozy, and she focused on his eyes and smiled. He grinned a little boyishly, and said "G'day love, I know I'm a bit early, but I just couldn't wait any longer. I've actually been out here for half an hour now, but thought I would give you a bit more time." Tash hadn't realized he was early, thinking it was right about 7, but then she saw the clock and it said 6:45. She grinned right back at him, and opened the door. "Want to come in? Wow, you smell great. Here, make yourself at home." She moved toward the couch and patted it. "Sit down if you want. By the way, I'm just guessing here, but I guess a T-shirt and jean shorts will be alright wherever we are going?" He continued to grin at her. "I smell good huh? You look good enough to melt an ice cream on a snowy day, and yeah those beauties you have on right now will do just fine." She thought she was gonna fall to the floor just smelling and looking at him, but she somehow managed to thank him for the compliment. "I'll be back in a New York minute." She said as she practically ran into the bathroom. She gave herself a once over in the mirror, amazed at how much her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks were rosy. She was practically purring like a cat! He was having some effect on her that was for sure! When she came back into the living room, he was up, standing in front of the fireplace looking at the mantle. She had forgotten all about the pictures on it! She mentally cursed herself at first, but after a second or so she realized she had nothing to be anxious about. She would always love Josh, but that didn't mean she couldn't love someone else too. He turned to look at her, and had a plaintive look on his face. He cleared his throat, and walked to her, taking her hand. "Look, I just want you to know, I don't want to rush this. I know it takes time to get over something like you have went through, and I am willing to give you lots of time. Well, that is, if she would like to see me after tonight!" He giggled. She didn't even smile, but reached her free hand up to his face, and stroked his cheek. She said "Yes, I loved him, and I probably always will. But I don't want to spend the rest of my life alone. No one likes being lonely, and I've been through hell in the last year. What I want right now is to go out and have a good time. I'm not going into this expecting anything Russell, so there isn't any pressure on you. If we do have something one day, it will be very important that we are completely honest with one another. And I can honestly tell you that I am happy that you asked me out, and I say lets get going so we can have some fun together." She grinned mischievously and pinched his cheek. He laughed heartily, and put her hand on his arm, propelling her toward the door. He grinned wickedly at her, "Ever been on a Harley before, love? No? Well, you are about to get on one!" Her eyes widened, and she turned and locked the door. "Well, I'm glad I put my hair up tonight, or else I'd end up looking like Dreadlocks Barbie!" He got on his bike laughing, and pulled her on behind him, making sure she put her helmet on. He popped his on, started the Harley up, and they took off down the boulevard. |
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