Keir

Lunch is at a Japanese restaurant, and it's nothing to write home about. Both the service and the food are good, just not great. I’m not sure the guy who owns all these places should’ve decided to try every kind of cuisine there is, instead of sticking to one, but that’s not my problem.

Being with Grace makes it better than it would've been without her, and I find I'm liking her more every minute we spend together. I drive us back to the apartment after lunch, so we can change for dinner before the afternoon adventure I planned for us.

She puts on a green, off-the-shoulder minidress with a gold pattern all over it. The top curves up, so there's no cleavage, but she's still sexy, because she's her. She's let her brown hair go natural, with curls bouncing over her shoulders, and down her back. Being in the sun earlier has made the red highlights in her hair more prominent, and I can't help but smile at the image in front of me.

"I know, I know...I look like the Little Mermaid."

"Maybe just a little."

"I like green."

"I like you in green."

"You're not looking so bad yourself."

I've changed into charcoal grey pants, and a black button down. No tie, because I prefer not to wear one when I can get away with it, and the restaurant for tonight isn't quite formal enough to require it.

"Thanks. Are you ready for the next part of our date day?" I ask, leading us down to the rental car.

"Yes, because I don't know how you think you're going to outdo the goats and lemurs."

"Is that even possible?"

"Probably not."

"I'm hoping to wow you in another way."

"Maybe I shouldn't tell you this, but I'm good with wherever you want to go. I like spending time with you."

"Even without the sex?"

"Yes," she says, bowing her head.

I immediately feel like an ass, because she told me she feels like she's pressuring me, and I haven't assured her quite enough that it's really not the case. I've never been one to hold back, and in fact, before I got married, I was a pretty promiscuous guy. Then, there was Jacky. We had sex after meeting at a kegger in college. Not even a first date. So, it's not about wanting to wait for moral reasons; I just have this weird urge with Grace. I simply suck at explaining it properly to her.

I start the car, and turn to look at her. "Gracie, I have never waited with another woman. Ever. I don't know why it's so important for me to wait with you, but it just feels like it is. You being hurt, or embarrassed, because you want me, is killing me."

"I used to be shy. I didn't ask for what I wanted. At home, I did, because I was comfortable with my parents, but only there. Then, when I graduated, and got my first job, I tried. I stood up for myself, and I was shot down, and called a pushy woman."

"Whoever said that was a moron."

"It was a lot of men, for a lot of years. I let them beat me down, until one day, I decided I was tired of hiding myself, and I spoke up. Luckily, the right person heard me roar, and actually listened."

"Well, I consider myself a feminist, and I love that you're telling me what you want."

"Really?"

"Yes, and you're working for the best company you could possibly work for, because I know Miles and Matt are all about supporting women."

"Oh, I know. When I saw the job posting, I decided to take a chance on applying, but I didn't think I'd get it."

"Miles and you seem close."

"We just clicked during my interview, and his wife has become a good friend as well."

"Alex is great."

"You've met her?"

I should tell her now about Ainsley being my sister, but while she has her issues with being taken seriously as a woman, I have mine about my kid sister getting me this job. So, I tell a half-truth. "I've done some stuff with the Foundation in the past."

"The women who work there are beautiful."

"Yes, they are."

"You weren't interested in any of them?"

"Not really an option since most of them are married."

"So, yes."

"I'm not going to lie and say I was never attracted to any of them."

"Sometimes, the truth sucks, but it's better than lying."

Which I'm doing, and I know I shouldn't. I could argue, I'm just not supplying all the info, but it's lying by omission, and I know it. Not knowing who my sister is won't hurt Grace, but I need to tell her sooner, rather than later. Just not now.

"It is."

We drive the rest of the way to our destination in silence, simply enjoying each other's company. When I pull into the parking lot, Grace looks at me in surprise.

"The art museum?"

"Unless you totally hate the idea."

"I love museums."

"There's a cool exhibit I want to see with you," I tell her as I open her car door, and help her out.

"I really appreciate you thinking things out, and planning stuff for us to do. This day has been one of my best ever."

I pull her to me, and kiss her. "Mine too."

Grace

The exhibit Keir got us tickets to has a timed entry, so we have time to explore the permanent collections first. I love the fashion area, and the Impressionists, while he's engrossed in the Modern Art collection. It's fun to walk through the different rooms, holding hands and kissing.

When it's time for us to enter our exhibit, I'm completely blown away. I wasn't expecting a room full of mirrors. It's called an Infinity Room, and when the lights go off, it's like we're in space. Keir has his phone ready, and we take selfies, and straight on photos. Smiling, kissing, cuddling...whatever we can think of to commemorate this experience.

It's over in minutes, the time flying because, yeah, we're having fun. There's a little time to go through the gift shop, and despite my protests, Keir buys me a necklace I fall in love with. I could buy it myself, and it's pricey, but he insists. Honestly, I love that he's buying it for me, even though I can't wear it tonight.

Our final restaurant on this trip is another Mexican restaurant, owned by the same guy whose other places we've been sampling. It looks identical to the one we were at last night, but the service is a thousand times better. This time, Keir slides right into the booth next to me, and we share our burritos, empanadas, nachos, and enchiladas with each other. The food here is as great as the service, putting us both in a good mood.

This place also offers a live salsa band, and we join the couples on the dance floor after dinner. It's fun, but we can't stay late, as Keir promised to be home tonight. His sister is dropping his sons at his house, and waiting there for him. It's not fair to any of them if we come back too late.

Despite all of that, we make out against my car for several minutes back at the airport in Vegas. "You need to go," I tell him, deciding to be the sane one for a moment.

"I know. Have lunch with me tomorrow?"

"As platonic co-workers, yes."

"I'm going to find a way to kiss you."

"Maybe one kiss in my office, with the door closed."

"Maybe two."

"Go see your boys."

He gives me one more lingering kiss. "Sweet dreams, Gracie."

"You too, Kei."

I don't float home on clouds of love, but I'm happy. Happier than I've been in a very long time, if I'm being honest with myself. It's almost too good to be true, but I'm living it, so I know it's real.

I call my mom when I get home, because I promised to tell her I arrived safely back in my city, because I need to talk to someone about Keir. She answers on the first ring, even though Manhattan is three hours ahead of Vegas, telling me she's waited up for my call.

"Grace, my love, how was your trip?"

"Really great. Better than great."

She's quiet for a moment, and I know it's because, while I enjoy my job, I don't usually gush about it. "Why was this trip different?"

"Keir."

"I'm guessing you got past the water issue?"

"Pretty far past it."

"I don't need details."

"There aren't many to give in that regard."

"Oh?"

"I thought you didn't want to know," I say, with a laugh.

"I don't want details, but I am interested in why things didn't progress to the bedroom if they were going so well."

"He wants to wait."

"That's...romantic."

"And frustrating, but yes, it's sweet. I'm not used to sweet, Mom, and I felt like I was pressuring him because I wanted to take things further. He insists I'm not, and he wants me too, but I don't know."

"Tell me about the last two days," she insists.

So, I do. I tell her about the restaurants, the kisses, the places he took me to today, and the dancing. I gloss over the making out, but I don't keep his parenting situation from her.

"He has two boys, and they are his world."

"As they should be."

"Agreed, and I'm strangely not bothered by it. I've always wanted to be first in everything, but when it comes to Keir's kids, I can see myself being happy to come in second, or I guess, third."

"It sounds like you're both being smart about what's happening."

"I think so."

"You sound happy, and that's all I care about."

"Thanks, Mom. Now, you need to go to sleep. Tell Dad I love him."

"Not me?"

I roll my eyes, even though she can't see me. "You know I love you."

"I do. Love you too, my sweet girl."