Right at two o'clock, the girls showed up.  They told me to shower and get ready because they were going to make me look amazing. As I was showering, Kara yelled, "Don't forget to shave." No one wants to date grizzly Addams!"

I rolled my eyes as I heard laughter.  Ah, the perks of a woman, having to shave your legs and armpits regularly.  I did it anyway because it's better than waiting, which takes longer.

Once I showered, I dried off and put on my clothes. I held up a matching pair of lacy underwear: Mel.

I put them on, and then next came the dress. It was a red satin form-fitting dress with straps that went to my knees.

I had to admit Mel did have incredible tastes.

I walked out of the bathroom to be met with whistles from the girls. I looked at them and shook my head. Then I walked over and sat in front of the mirror as they did my hair and makeup.

They left my hair down in loose curls and gave me a look of flawlessness, with makeup that was light and airy. I was kind of glad. I hated too much makeup, and my skin felt like it couldn't breathe.

Then, they topped it off with a pair of satin pumps.  I stood up and looked at them.

"Well?"

"Girl, I have a feeling that dress is going to end up on the floor, and that's quite all right," Mel smirked.

I looked at her.

"If it doesn't end up on the floor, remind me to smack you," Kara grinned.  Tara rolled her eyes.

"Don't listen to these two knuckleheads. Just go and have fun. That's the main thing," she advised.

"Such a mom," Mel said, rolling her eyes.

"Not everything has to be about sex, you know," Tara retorted.

"Twin, she is single and ready to mingle. Of course, it's about sex.  Give the girl a break," Kara countered.

"Then why haven't you let Wyatt put a ring on it," she shot back.

"Wyatt and I are excellent just the way we are."

"Yeah, as heathens," she snapped back.

Then they started bickering. Finally, Mel interjected, "Look, whatever happens tonight, just let it happen. Scott doesn't strike me as the type who will make you do anything you don't want to."

"I don't think it's that," I sighed.

They all looked at me.

"Then what is it," Tara asked.

"This is just the first date I've been on since Ben. He's the only one I had dated before we married. I'm a little nervous," I said to them.

"Oh honey, being nervous is fine; just stay away from the drink," Tara suggested.

"Lina, Scott is crazy about you. We all see it. I mean, he did tell some lunkhead you had a billion kids," Kara grinned.

I laughed at what happened at the gym.  That was pretty funny.

"Plus, someone else didn't look too happy when some girls talked to him," Mel added.

I looked at them.

"Lina, you like Scott?" Tara asked.

I took a deep breath, then said, "I do. When Scott kisses me, I feel something I have never felt before, not even with Ben. When he's around me, it's like the world stops, just him and me. Scott's amazing with Kami and Georgia. He has all these different sides to him.  Plus, he makes me laugh a lot."

They all smiled.

Then I heard the doorbell. We all left my room, and I walked over to the door to find Scott in a dark navy blue suit. The suit brought out the blue in his eyes.

"Ready?"

"Yes."

He held out his hand, and I didn't hesitate to take it.

"Ladies."

"Bye, Scott," they all said.

We walked to the car hand in hand, and he opened my door so I could get in. Then he closed it and climbed in the driver's side. He pulled out and drove to a restaurant.

We walked in, and the hostess greeted us and showed us our seats. She seated us in front of a fireplace, and I had to admit, it was truly romantic.

We placed our orders and talked.

"You look amazing," he said to me.

"You look pretty handsome yourself," I smiled back.

"By the way, I wanted to clear something up. I did not intend to accept those girls' drink offer yesterday at the gym."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, Chris was all for it, but I wasn't. I was going to decline but got interrupted when I heard you laugh."

I looked at him.

"Lina, I'm going to be upfront with you. I like you a lot, and I want to get to know you more. I'm also a one-woman man. When I take an interest in someone, it's one person. I have no interest in anyone else. I know working together and being your boss makes for an interesting dynamic, but as I said before, I keep my personal and professional life separate."

"Okay, if we're going to be upfront and honest, then I will do the same."  He looked at me. "I like you a lot. Seeing some girls flirting with you makes me jealous, but I also know we can't help who talks to us. I had been with one man for years, and then it came crashing down, it scares the hell out of me to think it will happen again.  But if you're willing to try it, so would I," I said to him.

He took a moment to think about it, then reached across the table and took my hand. "I would love that."  A smile curled upon my lips, as did his.

The waiter brought our meals, and we ate. We ate and talked. It was amazing how at ease I felt with Scott. We talked about everything and laughed a lot. Something came alive in him that night, but it also came alive in me. It was at that moment that I knew what I wanted: him.

After dinner, we took a walk. It was a little chilly since it was April and early spring. I am so glad I wore a warm coat. As we walked, he held my hand.

"I like this."

"You do," I asked, a bit surprised.

"It's nice to spend time with someone who is easy to talk to and enjoys the simple things.  You're so easy to talk to, Lina. I feel like I can be myself," he said to me.

"I take it you don't get to be that way with many people."

"Not really; everyone expects something from me except Kelly and Tara.  Kelly offered genuine friendship to me. No strings attached. Plus, he's a straight shooter.  Tara is the same way, and she is amazing with Georgia.  When he suggested I meet you, I questioned if there was something wrong with you," he smirked.

"Thanks a lot," I said, rolling my eyes and giggling.

"Then, when I finally agreed and realized you were the girl from the club, I knew it was fate. What are the chances of meeting someone in a club, at work, and then at your friend's house?"

"You said you never go to a club. Why did you go that night?"

"Honestly, I don't know. Something inside me said go. Like I was being pushed," Scott said to me.

"Yeah, I had the same problem, except it's called three crazy best friends," I grinned, making him laugh. Kelly even mentioned introducing me to you, although I didn't realize it was you. All he said was he had this friend who was divorced and had a child. I never realized it was you," I said to him.

"I guess things work out in mysterious ways," he said, looking at me.

I shiver slightly.

"Cold?"

"Just a bit."

"Come on," he said as he returned to the car. We walked over to it, and he opened the door. I climbed in, and then he closed it. Then he got in himself.  We turned over the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.

We drove back to his place, and he parked the car. After getting out, we walked up to the building, and he opened the door leading me up to his home.  The last time I was here was that one night.  I was so drunk anyway; I didn't remember everything about it. I wish I did because my mouth dropped open when he opened the door.

I walked in, "You live in a penthouse apartment?"

"I like my space, plus it helps when you own the building," he said, hanging up his keys.

I looked around, and it was odd; I thought it would be messier, but it wasn't. It was immaculate.  Scott showed me around, telling me where everything was.  I came upon Georgia's room. It was adorable.  It had a mixture of princess and superhero stuff.

I looked at Scott, "Yeah when you told Georgia she could be Batman, I decided to get her some stuff.  I didn't want her to think she was subject to one way."

"I believe kids should be whoever they want to be. Even if it's Batman," I smiled.

As he showed me around, there was a knock at the door. We looked at each other, "Are you Expecting anyone?"

"Not, stay here," he said and went to answer the door.  I stayed in the hallway and listened.

"Victoria?  What are you doing here?"

"I need you to take Georgia tonight," her high-pitched voice said.

"Why?"

"Because I got plans."

"It's past her bedtime. She shouldn't be out this late."  I could hear the agitation in Scott's voice.

"Oh, well, that's not my problem.  You wanted to spend time with your child. Here you go."

"Victoria, I swear."

"Remember, I have full custody. Even think about doing anything, and I will ensure you never see Georgia."  She turned to walk away and stopped, "Oh, by the way, she's staying with you all week.  I'm going to the Bahamas.  Ciao. " With that said, she was gone.

"Daddy, I'm tired," Georgia said, rubbing her eyes.

"Come on, Princess. Let's get you to bed," he said, picking her up and carrying her to bed. Once he had dressed her and put her to bed, he read her a story and kissed her.

He turned off her light and closed the door. He came out and found me sitting on the couch. He walked over and said, "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Because Victoria decided to ruin our night," he said solemnly.

"Scott, it's your daughter. She comes first. Even I know that," I told him.

He walked over and took a seat on the couch. He reached over and took my hand, "This is going to make my decision so much easier."

Oh god, please tell me he isn't going to end things before they get started.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Really?" I asked, a bit surprised.

"Yes, most women would be annoyed that I put my daughter first, but you aren't. You understand, and I know you like her, especially when you gave me the picture she gave you. That means the world to me. I was going to ask you, but tonight proved I made the right decision."

I couldn't help but smile.

"So? Will you be my girlfriend?"