On our way back to her place, Wren asked if I could drop her off at the bus stop, so that she could pick her kids up. I didn't agree with dropping her off and letting them walk home, so informed her that I'll pick them up and drop them all off. They don't need to walk as long as I'm around. Plus, I am not willing to take the risk of something happening to them. Until we can figure out who is sending the threats, she nor her children will be safe.

After I dropped them all off at the house, I headed over to Reese's, to get ready. This morning, him and I were talking, and he informed me that Wren, had confided in him, asking, if he thought that we were moving to fast. At first I started to feel a bit panicked. I thought for sure he was about to tell me she was having regrets, but he quickly reassured me that she was not. When asked what he had told her, he said you can't stop love. He did however, suggest that we should tone it down on the sex for a while, to make sure that we are what each other wants and that our attraction towards one another isn't purely based off sexual desires.

At first I thought he was crazy, but after taking some time to think about what she had asked him and what he had suggested to me, he's right. It does seem like Wren and I have a strong sexual pull towards one another. Reese also suggested that I take Wren out on a date to get to know each other a little better, and since I have never taken a girl out on a real date before, I recruited him to help me plan it. 

When we had everything planned out, Reese left before, Wren woke up to set things into motion. Right now...he should be waiting for me at his house like he said he would be and sure enough, when I pull into his driveway his car is parked in front of his house.

Reese is sitting on the couch, watching television, when I walk in. When he notices my presence he smiles, "You're back early. How did her classes go? Did she learn anything new?"

I sigh and sink back in the seat next to him. He notices my uneasiness and shuts the television off, "What's wrong?" You can hear the concern in his voice.

As I think back to the events earlier today, I can't help but feel proud of the way Wren carried herself. Reese wasn't lying when he told me she was good at it. Her formation was perfect, as well as her punches. Especially the one she landed on James' jaw.

"It's James. He got a little...too upset today."

"What do you mean?" The confusion in his voice matches the look on his face, which I was expecting. James and Reese have been close friends for many years now and he trusts him with his life.

"Wren cracked him a good one, and he almost lost himself. I don't care if he controlled himself or not, you didn't see the way he looked at her." The way he looked at her is what scared me the most. "You could tell he was having a mental battle with himself not to physically harm her. He even admitted that if she was anyone else, he would have laid her out. I don't know about you...but I don't want her taking his classes anymore. I don't trust him."

Surprisingly, Reese nods his head in agreement, "Do you want me to talk to him?"

Of course I don't want him to talk to him. If that was the case, I would have talked to him myself. I shake my head.

"Okay...but, Wren isn't going to like this. She looks forward to hanging out with James."

"I'm not saying she has to completely cut him out. I know they are friends and I know he cares for her. I just don't want her in that type of situation again."

Reese doesn't say anything else about it, and changes the subject. "So...are you excited about your date tonight?"

I smile shakily at the thought. I'm very excited about it. But I'm also nervous at the same time. I don't want to fuck anything up. I begin to feel restricted by the collar of my shirt, and stretch it out some. "Yes...but I'm also a bit nervous."

Reese nods his head, "Well...that's to be expected. After all this is your first date." I hear a hint of amusement in his voice.

"How have you not been on a proper date? You're thirty-three."

I shrug, "I don't know. I've just always avoided them."

"You have never taken Jen out on a date?"

I clench my jaws at the mention of her name. He knows not to bring her up in front of me.
"No." I grit, hoping he gets the point that I don't want to talk about her, and he does.

Reese grabs a piece of paper from the end table and hands it to me. I examine the paper and notice there are multiple things highlighted and checked. "What is all this?"

"That is a list of all the places she has and has not been to," he points to the paper. "All the check marks are the places either Maxen, or myself has taken her. All the places highlighted are the places she hasn't. She has always wanted to go there," he points to, Mount Washington. "But...I felt that, that's more appropriate for a more...intimate relationship, rather than a friendship."

Mount Washington, just so happens to be one of best places to go if you want a grand view of Pittsburgh. I have been there a few times to clear my head when I was younger, but never taken the time to dine there. The fact that he has taken the time to point all this out to me, shows me how much he cares for her.

"Reese, I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. Just make sure she enjoys herself," he pats my leg. "Oh...and I've also taken the liberty of buying you both something nice to wear for this evening, it's on my bed. Wren has probably already discovered hers, and I think you're going to like it."

As much as I appreciate all his help. I couldn't help but wonder why he's doing all this.

"Reese, don't take this the wrong way...but, why are you helping me with all this? I mean not too long ago you was threatening to kill me and now...now I'm just confused."

Reese chuckles, "I've seen a change in you. A change I never thought I'd see. You don't view women as meat anymore. Hell...ever since you met Wren, I don't think you view other woman at all."

This time it's my turn to chuckle. He's right. Ever since I met her, I haven't paid much attention to anyone else.

Reese and I killed some time by bullshitting about anything that came to mind. I have to say, it's nice reminiscing about our childhood together and how we turned out. I think we are doing pretty damn good for ourselves.

Reese claps his hands together and stands, "Now go get ready. It will be time go before you know it."

When I was finished showering, I wrapped my towel around my waist and exit the bathroom. I was a bit startled to see Reese, sitting on his bed waiting for me.

"I think I'm perfectly capable of dressing myself," I joke.

"I was bored and thought I would help my brother out. I want to make sure you look good for your first date and all," he jokes back.

"I'm never going to live this down am I?"

"Not as long as I'm alive," he laughs.

I pull my towel from around my waist and toss it at his head. He pulls it from his head and tosses it back, "Cover yourself. No one wants to see that."

"Wren does," I point out.

"Ah...Wren, my sweet, sweet, Wren. Word of advice, don't do much teasing during your date. We don't want to end up with another situation like before," he smiles devilishly.

He thinks he's funny. "That's alright, I'll just blame it all on you. After all, this no sex thing is all your idea." As suspected, that knocked the smile right off his face.

I slip my underwear on under my towel, before removing it. Reese hands me a white button up dress shirt and I slip it on. Next he hands me the black suit he had bought for me earlier and helps me put it on. When we were finished, I head back into the bathroom to fix my hair. Even men need to make sure their hair is perfect.

Reese stands behind me in the doorway of the bathroom, "Have you decided what restaurant you're taking her to?"

While I was in the shower, I thought to myself, that I wanted our first date together to be memorable, and the best way to do that is by taking her to LeMont on Mount Washington. I haven't been there personally, but I've been told it's beautiful.

"Leomonta."

"I knew you would pick that one," he looks at his watch. "Which is why I made you reservations for eight-o'clock. You have less than an hour." He then pulls out his phone and makes a call.

"Who are you calling?"

"I'm canceling all the reservations I made around the city," he tells me as he walks out the room.

What the...," Did you put all those in my name?" I yell already knowing the answer.

"Sure did," he shouts back.

"Asshole!"

***

By the time I pull in front of her house, Reese was already there. The palms of my hands are so sweaty that they literally slip off the steering wheel. I've haven't been this nervous in-, well...I've never been this nervous. I swallow the lump in my throat and approach her door. After mentally coaching myself, I finally build up enough courage to knock on the door.