Korie blushed again. She had to admit to herself, she was having a wonderful time with DeVaughn Harris. She was almost upset when Brandon and Jayna joined them.
“So, is everyone behaving over here?” Brandon said jokingly.
“Yes, we're fine,” Vaughn said, while never taking his eyes off of Korie. His eyes said that he was very satisfied with what he saw and the company that she kept.
“So, are you ladies ready for dessert?” Brandon said.
“I've got room for dessert,” Jayna said.
“I guess I do too,” Korie agreed. “Where is the rest-room?” she asked Vaughn.
“Right there in the back,” he said as he finished his wine.
“Please excuse me, I'll be right back.”
“I'll go with you,” Jayna said.
“Please excuse us, then,” Korie said.
Â
Korie went to the bathroom, used it, and then adjusted her makeup in the mirror. As she checked herself out, Jayna was looking at her like a Cheshire cat, giddy like a schoolgirl, all smiles and bug-eyed, waiting anxiously for Korie to say something. When Korie said nothing and continued to do her makeup, Jayna couldn't contain herself any longer.
“So . . .” Jayna asked.
“So, what?” Korie said. She looked at Jayna as if she had no idea what she meant.
“Bitch, stop playing. Are you feeling him or what?”
Korie laughed.
“Vaughn is a nice man. I have to admit, I am enjoying dinner.”
“And?”
“No and.” She continued to reapply her makeup “He's a nice man.”
“So this will be the first of many dates?”
“I don't think so. Don't get me wrong, he's a real sweetheart, but he is a lot older than I am.”
“So?”
“So . . . I don't know. I don't think so, but anything's possible. So how are things with you and Brandon?”
“Great. I think there is really some potential there. I'm more curious about you.”
“Don't be. Like I said, I enjoyed myself, but I don't see things going much farther than they have today.”
“Why?”
“Because he's so much older. And he's not the type of man that I'm used to.”
“You mean, handsome, respectful, unmarried, no issues, and rich?”
“I don't know that he doesn't have any issues.”
“As wealthy as he is, any issues he might have can be easily taken care of.”
“Money can't take care of everything, Jayna.”
“No, but it can make almost anything more comfortable.”
“I need more than that. He's financially stable, that's obvious. But I want more for my life. I want someone I can spend the rest of my life with.”
“Why can't he be that man?”
“Because of our age difference. I would like to spend the rest of my life with my man. Not the rest of his life. Plus, this was just one date. How do I know that he even wants to see me anymore? Like I said, he's a nice man, but I don't see things going any farther than they have.”
“Girl, you must be out of your damned mind. You must be out of your body. That man is wealthy beyond your wildest dreams, and of all the women in Chicago he asked to go out with you. “
“That's another thing, Jayna, why me? He could probably go out with anyone, so why me?”
“Korie, why not you? You're a beautiful woman. Instead of constantly asking why you, maybe you should be asking why not you. And rather than ask me, why not ask him? Ask that man why he wanted to take you out.”
“I think I will.”
“Good, because . . .” Jayna started to say something but let her voice trail off.
“Because what?”
“Nothing.”
“Don't do that, Jayâsay what's on your mind.”
“I'm just wondering, Korie. You haven't been serious with anyone in a while. I'm just wondering, is it because you just haven't found the right person, or if you're still waiting on someone else to come around? I know you'll always have a special place in your heart for your ex, but sister, isn't it time to move on? Isn't it time that you moved forward?”
“I'm over him, Jay.”
“Are you? I mean, really. This could turn out to be something with Mr. Harris. It could be something, or it could be nothing . . . in either case, I think you should give him a chance.”
“Because he's rich?”
“No, because from what I am hearing from Brandon, he's a damned good man.”
“And the age difference?”
“The age difference is healthy. If he turns out to be a good man who's good to you, what difference does that make?”
“I hear you.”
“I'm just saying, give him a chance. At the very least, see this evening through before you pass judgment.”
“That I can do. Let me ask you something, Jayna; are you saying all this because you want to see me happy, or because you hate him so much?”
“I want to see you happy.”
Jayna hugged her.
“And I can't stand his ass.”
Both women shared a small laugh.
“Do you think rather than have dessert, you and Brandon could maybe make yourselves scarce?”
“If you're serious, we will.”
“Yeah, I think I am. Let's see where this path leads with Mr. Harris. Maybe you're right. Maybe it's time that I moved forward.”
“That's my girl.”
The two women returned to dinner. Before they could order dessert, Jayna spoke to Brandon and Mr. Harris.
Â
Â
“Mr. Harris, I know that you were expecting to have dessert with Brandon and me, but we have to leave unexpectedly. I got a call from my mother and I have to leave.”
“I see.”
“So, Korie, I will give you a call later?”
“That's fine.”
Mr. Harris looked as if he expected Korie to find an excuse to leave. Instead, she picked up the dessert menu.
“So for dessert, what do you recommend?”
Mr. Harris was surprised. He was pleasantly surprised. He smiled as he picked up the menu.
“I thought this was your favorite place. What do you recommend for dessert?”
“I have never stayed for dessert before. I'm usually full when I leave here.”
“And you're not full today?”
“No, I am. But I'm not in a rush. So I figured we could take some time and talk a bit more while I decide on dessert.”
Mr. Harris smiled at Korie. He smiled at her and this time he more than put her at ease. His smile said that he loved being there with her. His smile said he was having fun and happy that she decided to stay.
“Okay, then. I like that. Take all the time that you need.”
“I plan to.”
“So, would you like something else to drink?”
“I would . . . as long as you have no ulterior motives.”
Â
Mr. Harris smiled again. He leaned in to whisper to Korie. He motioned for her to lean in as well. She did.
“Ms. Dillon, I assure you, I have no ulterior motivesâtonight. Right now, I'm only interested in getting to know you better, that's all. But I will say this. I'm quite happy you decided to spend more time with me.”
He placed his hand on hers. His thumb rubbed her fingers. His touch was light and affectionate. He sat back in his chair and reviewed the dessert menu.
“So, I have a question,” Korie began to say.
“Go ahead, shoot.”
“Why did you want to take me out? I'm sure a man of means like you could go out with anyone.”
He licked his lips before speaking. Korie thought he looked incredibly sexy each time that he licked his lips. He looked at her confidently and spoke.
“I probably could have gone out with just anybody. But what if I wanted more than that?”
“What do you mean?”
“I wanted to go out with you because I thought you were beautiful. Also, because I wanted to go out with someone who was real.”
Korie blushed. She smiled a wide smile before catching herself.
“Okay, wait a minute. I looked a hot, sweaty mess when you first saw me. I didn't even have any makeup on.”
“My point exactly. When I first saw you, I thought to myself, Wow she is really beautiful; naturally beautiful.”
“And the sweat?” Korie said.
“Oh, I didn't mind that,” he said, laughing. His laugh reminded her of how Denzel Washington sometimes laughed in his movies. “I didn't mind that at all. Besides, I didn't think you were sweating so much as you were glistening.”
“And the difference between the two?”
“Sweating is kind of . . . well, primitive, carnal . . . maybe even nasty.”
“And I wasn't any of those things?” Korie's eyebrow went up.
“No, you were none of those things. Like I said, you were glistening. Your skin, it had this . . . copper shine to it. It was kind of a glow.”
“A glow?” Korie said sarcastically.
“Yes . . . a glow. It wasn't nasty at all. It was rather . . . exotic.”
Korie blushed. As she blushed, Vaughn smiled. Then the two shared a laugh.
“Better Days” by Joe was playing overhead.
Korie asked Vaughn a million questions. He gave her a million answers. They all seemed correct. The next thing that she knew, it was almost eleven o' clock. They talked most of the night over wine and dessert. With all the love songs that played, it was like she was in her own world with the only man in the city who mattered. She enjoyed his smile, his rugged good looks, and his conversation. Before long, they spoke to each other with an ageless familiarity. They talked like old lovers or old souls.
Initially, Korie was apprehensive about coming out this evening on this non-date. As the night went on, all she could think was how much she would have missed out on had she not gone. At 11:15, Korie decided it was time to say good night. She gave Mr. Harris her card and a smile.
“I enjoyed myself this evening, Vaughn.”
“I enjoyed myself as well.”
“I think I'll be saying good night now.”
“I'll walk you to your car.”
They both got up from the table and Korie noticed that he didn't pay a bill and one was not brought out to him. Then it dawned on her that he paid for this evening in advance. When they left the Grand Lux, the dining area where they had eaten was then opened up to the public. People looked at them as they exited the dining area. Some looked as if to say, Who are you? Others looked at the couple as if they were royalty or celebrities. Some of the looks made Korie uncomfortable. Vaughn, however, walked with confidence as if he were used to these looks. It didn't faze him in the slightest way.
When they reached street level, Vaughn offered Korie his arm. They walked together slowly and deliberately as they laughed and continued to talk. It was obvious that neither wanted the night to end. Korie started to ask Vaughn to come back to her place, but her manners told her that would be unladylike. Jayna was probably in bed with Brandon right now, but Korie wasn't like that. She was selective with whom she gave her body to. Rich or not, Mr. Vaughn Harris would have to wait for her goodies, if and when she decided to give them to him.
He walked her to her car, arm in arm. She chirped the alarm and unlocked her doors. He opened the door for her and leaned in and casually kissed her on the cheek. She was both surprised and impressed that he didn't try for a kiss on the lips.
“Good night, Ms. Dillion.”
“Good night, Mr. Harris,” Korie said, smiling.
“Here's my card. Please call or text me to let me know that you're home safe.”
“Call or text? I'm surprised you're text savvy.”
He laughed. “Because I'm older than you? Or because you think I'm old?”
Korie's expression changed. It didn't dawn on her that her comment might seem offensive.
“Because you don't seem like the type to text anyone.”
“Okay . . . well, you have a good evening. Call or text to let me know you got home safely.”
Korie started up her car. More slow songs were playing on the radio. Korie watched Vaughn walk away all smiles. She had to smile to herself as well because she had such a wonderful time with him. After he got on the parking garage elevator, she sat in her car and listened to the music for a while. She wondered if anything could happen between them. She wondered how much potential they had as an item. She wondered how much potential they had as a couple. Just as quickly as she thought of it, she dismissed it. She knew in her heart that statistically if they were to even attempt to get into a relationship, it would be doomed to fail.