Free The Romantic Misadventures of a Modern Woman by Jessica Brown

the table, Rich stood up. Immediately, the other two men were on their feet. Jeremy stepped out and pulled out Hannah's chair for her. Arthur hurried to assist Gina before Rich could casually grab Nita's chair.
     
    When they left the restaurant, they got more attention than when they arrived. The men only permitted the driver to hold the door as they assisted the ladies stepping inside. On their way to the concert, the men accessed the limo's bar and poured drinks for the women. Although Hannah and Arthur had brainstormed a list of questions and topics, in advance, that would keep the conversation going, they never needed them. It was easy and comfortable to talk in this group.
     
    The limo followed a scenic path to Karberry Hall. Their route took them through the historic district, then beside the river. Holiday lights had begun to go up around town; they made the evening seem even more festive. Music played inside the limo and no one allowed any interruptions by their smartphones.
     
    The KISS-LOVE 91 V.I.P. booth had been reserved for Gina and her group. Inside, they found back-stage passes and an assortment of complimentary CDs by artists who were performing at the event. A refrigerator, stocked with canned and bottled beverages, was unlocked and available for everyone in the group to enjoy.
     
    As the music filled the venue, it called those in the audience onto the dance floor. While dancing to the music of the live band was fun, it was also another opportunity for the men to compete. But, all competition ended when a slow song started and each man got to dance with one of the women, holding her in his arms.
     
    Gina had begun flirting with Rich from the moment he arrived at the restaurant. She sat next to him in the limo and slipped her hand under his thigh without anyone noticing. When he escorted her to the dance floor, his composure had already begun to deteriorate. She pressed her cheek against his and began to whisper in his ear as they danced. He became so overwhelmed by the feeling of her breath on his ear, he began to get dizzy. He tightened his arms around her, hoping no one would notice he was losing his balance, but it was too late. He toppled onto the dance floor, taking Gina with him. Mortified, they untangled themselves and retreated together to the privacy of the V.I.P. booth.
     
    Arthur took an opportunity to speak with Hannah, privately, as they walked back to the booth. "I can tell you are the leader in your group of friends. They seem to respect you and look up to you."
    "Yes, I guess I am." Hannah replied. "It all started when I began serving and caring for them."
    "I like that. There is too little of that in the world." Arthur put his arm around Hannah's shoulders as they continued to walk. "I noticed your earrings. Are they  Jedi  inspired?"
     
    Nita considered her budding friendship with Nathaniel. She wondered if she should try to build friendships with two men at the same time. Although Nathaniel had a head start over Jeremy, she still didn't know him very well. As she was organizing her options, two strong hands gently grabbed hers.
    "Nita, this group date has been fun, but we don't know enough about each other yet. I would like to fix that. I'd like to take you on a date where it's just you and me. May I call you sometime and ask you out?"
    "Sure" Nita replied. "And I agree, we don't know one another well enough from this group date, but I look forward to your call."
     
    During the ride back to the restaurant to drop off the men, everyone had a prospect for future friendship. At the end of an enjoyable evening, all seemed to agree that the group date was a success. When the men left the limo, the women, too tired to talk, stretched themselves out across the newly emptied chairs and waited to be dropped off at their respective homes.
     

Chapter 24
Sitting in the Sun Room
    Nita re-read her observations from the group date that she had written in her journal:
     
    "It's a funny thing