Free Family Ties (Hidden Secrets) by P. J. Belden

Fortress is?”
    He nodded his head and pulled out.  For the first time, I was nervous.  Normally I could carry on a conversation just fine, but tonight … nothing would come to my mind to talk about.  He reached over, slightly brushing my leg to shift gears and then turned on the stereo.  Staring out the window, I tried to come up with something to talk about.
    “ Have you ever been to Fortress ?” I blurted all of a sudden as the idea popped into my head.
    He laughed softly, “No, I haven ’t.”
    “ They have excellent food, but offer entertainment as well.”
    I went on to tell him how it was kind of like an open mic bar, but with class.  You had to be pre-approved to perform.  It was an old Castle like building on the outskirts of town.  People would wait for hours to get in and reservations were usually months out.
    When we pulled up to the restaurant, valet gave us a ticket and pulled away.  Tobey put his hand at the small of my back and led me inside.  The feel of his hand there had me faltering in my steps.  He smiled down at me like he knew my reaction.  The hostess greeted us warmly before recognition struck her and she started falling over herself. She didn’t bother asking my name.  She just looked at the book, grabbed two menus and walked us to our table.  Veronica was our waitress’s name.  She was probably early twenties and was annoying.  She clung to our table, leaving us not a single moment of peace.
    When she finally walked away with our orders, I turned to Tobey.  “I don ’t know if she was more obsessed with me or you tonight.” I laughed.
    He chuckled. “I have a feeling there won ’t be much conversation for us tonight,” he whispered fake pouting.
    Not long later the waitress came back, it quickly became obvious who she was clinging to more, Tobey.  He did look good though. He wore a simple white button down dress shirt with black jeans.  It was simple, but damn did it make him look sexy as hell with his dark hair, bringing out his gorgeous blues. My eyes were drawn to his mouth as he talked to the waitress.  Those ‘kiss me’ lips, which I tasted so thoroughly only hours earlier, beckoned me to claim them. They taunted me with the softness, calling me with the reminder of their taste and feel on mine. A shiver ran through my body.
    When the waitress was pulled away, I smiled at Tobey still unable to pry my eyes from his lips.  In my heart, I prayed that he was different and it was my moment to finally find some happiness.  Although at the same time my head was screaming that I don ’t deserve happiness.  Just as Tobey leaned in to whisper something in my ear, a camera flashed. Whatever Tobey was going to say died with that flash and he sat back in his chair.  Just as he sat back, the waitress returned to our table.  He smiled and began talking to her.  Suddenly I felt like I was interfering on their date.
    Finally the waitress left us alone for a few minutes only to arrive with our food shortly after.  My stomach was in knots and suddenly my salad appetizer wasn’t appetizing anymore.  I just pushed my food around my plate and said nothing.  Though I noticed that Tobey made no effort to talk to me either.  What the hell had happened?  Only a bit ago we were all over each other and now he seemed like he didn’t even want to look at me.
    When I tried to make conversation, he gave curt answers not trying at all to continue a conversation with me.  He had finished his appetizer and the waitress came over to clear his plate.  He smiled at her.  My heart was slowly being chipped away and there was no stopping it.  The waitress brought the entrée out and again was kind enough to leave us alone while we ate.  Only this time he seemed like he wanted to talk.
    We talked about everything and anything that came to our heads.  I started to relax and felt more like I was on a date rather than sitting on the sidelines watching him have a date with someone