(23)

Gina closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“He makes me feel like a teenager. I had butterflies in my stomach all evening.”

Gina paused for a moment, reliving the feelings.

“He is just… I don't even know what to say. He ordered dinner for us. Oh my God; there was pizza and wings and tacos and salads and all types of picky foods. My fridge is still full. He brought Stella Artois beer and expensive wines and he even brought non alcoholic wine for the kids.”

Elaine laughed.

“Oh yea, lets dump this guy,” she said sarcastically, remembering the way Gina had duped her earlier.

Gina was still smiling and shaking her head.

“I kept waiting for the other shoe to fall, but there was nothing.

We had wine and we talked and we had a wonderful dinner and we played charades and we talked and we …”

Gina suddenly burst into tears.

Elaine moved to the chair next to Gina and put her arms around her.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“I don't know,” Gina blurted out.

Elaine hugged her best friend tightly.

“But did you sleep with him?” She asked, knowing she didn’t, but figuring it would make Gina laugh.

It didn’t.

Gina just stared at Elaine.

“I would have in a second.”

Elaine started laughing.

Gina pushed her back.

“It is not funny.”

“Oh my fuck. You are in love, girl,” Elaine snapped at her.

Gina shook her head.

“I am not.”

She was silent for a moment, staring at Elaine.

“Am I?”

Elaine nodded.

“I think you are. Is he really that amazing?”

At that moment Melissa walked back into the kitchen.

“Ask her,” Gina said.

“Ask me what, Mommy?” Melissa said quickly.

“Auntie Elaine wants to know if you liked Dylan and Tyla.”

Melissa turned to Elaine.

“Tyla is my new best friend and Dylan is a wonderful man. He calls me princess, just like you do.”

“Would you like your Mommy and Dylan to be boyfriend and girlfriend?” Elaine asked.

Melissa thought for a moment.

“No.”

“Why?” Elaine asked.

Melissa looked at Gina.

“I would rather have Dylan for my Daddy.”

Silence filled the apartment.

No one knew quite what to say.

Melissa finally broke the silence.

“Tyla is not up yet, but Dylan wants to talk to you,” Melissa said nonchalantly as she passed her cell phone to Gina.

Gina put her hand over the phone.

“Has he been listening all this time?” she asked Melissa.

Melissa shrugged her shoulder.

Gina shook her head and glared at Elaine, who was laughing.

She put the phone to her ear.

“Please tell me you were not listening.”

“Not at all,” Dylan said, “but if you want I can book the justice of the peace for tomorrow.”

Gina blushed and started laughing.

“Don’t tempt me.”

“Anyway,” Dylan continued, to avoid a possible embarrassing situation.

“I was just wondering if you would mind if I took the kids to Western Brook this afternoon.”

Gina was caught off guard.

“Of course, if the kids don't mind.”

“Well Melissa was all excited and Brandon was all for it, but I wanted to check with you first.”

Gina smiled.

“It is okay with me.”

“We will be back in time for dinner at the restaurant, like we discussed last night,” Dylan assured her.

“No don't worry about that. You guys have fun. I don't want you rushing back if there is no need.”

“We will do our best,” Dylan promised.

“If not, then I will see you tomorrow.”

“Oh,” Gina said, a disappointed tone in her voice.

“I was hoping to see you later.”

“What time will you be off?” Dylan asked.

“Not until eleven.”

“I will see what I can do. Okay?” Dylan said, sweetly.

“I have an early meeting tomorrow morning.

Gina pouted.

“I guess so.”

“Hey,” Dylan said.

“I had a great time last night.”

“Me too,” Gina said sweetly.

“Well, gotta go. Got a meeting to go to. Talk to you later?”

“You will,” Gina said.

She turned off the call and passed the cell phone to Melissa.

“So, we can go?” Melissa asked, excitedly.

“Yes.”

“Yippee,” Melissa said as she ran back to her bedroom again.

Elaine stared at her friend.

“This sounds serious.”

Gina simply smiled.