Just the Two of Us [Jo]

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon made good on his promise to pick Jo up at nine o’ clock. He was there, dressed in simple black dress pants, a button down red shirt and a basic black tie at 8:45. The man didn’t own many nice clothes, but he did clean up well. His hair was still a little messy, though, preferring not to put any product in it if he could avoid it. Tonight most of his impressing would happen at the restaurant he was taking Jo to. The Blue Scallop paid well for his product, and he wanted to return the favor for once. They were pricey, but it was a first date, and Brandon was aiming to show Jo that he was more than just a clumsy flirt with a filthy mouth. He was much more educated than he came off being, and much more chivalrous too. For a few minutes, he tried to tame his hair a bit more and smelled himself carefully. No fishy smell. His harness was tight enough that his wings couldn’t be discerned through his dress shirt, and though it was constricting, he was used to it. For all he knew, Jo was a normal girl who had no idea people like him existed.

Finally, with five minutes to spare, he got out of the car and made his way into the small shop. This time around, he didn’t care who saw him; he was too excited to be picking up his date. And there she was, as cute as ever with her big doe eyes, her short brown hair, and cheeks that looked like she hid apples in them. He smiled wide when he caught her eye, strolling toward her with his hands in his pockets. “Ahoy there, madam,” he greeted playfully. He came right up to the counter and looked around to see if anybody else was about. Not that he could see. With a lopsided grin, he reached over the counter and grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles gently as he kept his eyes on hers. She had very soft hands. “You look lovely tonight,” he complimented quietly, before he let her hand go. He remained leaned on the counter, though, just as content as could be watching her on the other side of it.

“I hope you like seafood,” he commented. “I’m taking you to the Blue Scallop for dinner.” Brandon had never been one for letting other people make his plans for him. When it came to dates, the way he saw it, was most women were looking for initiative in their man. Making the dinner plans was just one way he could show initiative, though if she didn’t like where he was taking her, he would adjust accordingly. Brandon liked taking charge, but he didn’t like to make his dates uncomfortable, especially not when he liked them as much as he liked Jo.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

To say Jo was looking forward to her date with Brandon was an understatement. She was a little nervous about him coming after she had put in a long day at the shop, but she made it work. She took a late lunch and had the girls watch over the store as she went home to get cleaned up for her date. She showered, did her hair and put on a little makeup before dressing. She opted for a cute denim summer dress that had a large brown buckle under the bust. It was nice without being fancy. She put on strappy brown sandals to go with it and returned to the store, sliding an apron on to hide her attire. A couple of the girls teased her but Jo wasn't bothered by that. They were just teasing her and she was in far too good a mood to be dampened by something so silly.

As promised, Brandon came in a few minutes before closing and she smiled brightly at him as he came inside. He looked devilishly handsome dressed up and scruffy. It was a nice mix on him and she noted how well he was able to pull it off. “Ahoy there, madam,” he greeted playfully, coming towards and reaching for her hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her knuckles. She rolled her eyes at him but was grinning like a complete idiot. It was the cutest damn thing! "Ahoy, captain." She shot back playfully, her tone borderline flirty.

“You look lovely tonight,” he complimented and she simply melted into a puddle. Could he be any cuter? "As do you. I'll admit, you clean up nicely, sailor." She couldn't believe how much she wanted to jump his bones already and he had JUST walked in the door. It had been far too long since she'd been laid. She promised herself she would behave, though. She had to if she wanted this one to keep coming back and for seeing her as her and not some sex starved shop girl loser.

“I hope you like seafood, I’m taking you to the Blue Scallop for dinner.” She raised her brow at his choice. It wasn't a well known fact the Blue Scallop was one of Scriptor bays finer restaurants. "It so happens I do. Look at you trying to impress me."She teased coming out from around the counter and pulling the apron off. She bit her lip looking him over for a moment, lost in her thoughts about how hot he is before blushing and looking away. "Andie? I'm going. Don't forget to lock the safe when you're done, and the front and back doors." The girl looked up from her sweeping and nodded at her boss before continuing. Jo went and grabbed her purse and then came back to Brandon, sliding her hand through his arm and walking with him out the door.

"Jeez, I haven't been on a for real date in ages. I've had a weird relationship with an ex for a while." She silently scolded herself for bringing Kit up not even two minutes into her date with sexy sailor! "I mean it's over now! But because of him my love life has just been...blah. He's kind of... you know what? I'm not talking about him right now. So? How are yooou?" She asked playfully as he brought her to his car.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

“It so happens I do. Look at you trying to impress me.” Brandon shrugged with a big smile. “I like to think I know how to treat a lady,” he replied. He watched her take her apron off, keeping his eyes on hers as she watched him in return, biting her lip. She was in trouble if she kept looking at him like that. Brandon could be a gentleman when he wanted to be, but there was a playboy lying dormant in him just waiting for his chance. After a long moment she looked at the other girl working and gave her instructions. Brandon nodded a smile at her, being polite as Jo grabbed her purse and hurried to his side. He liked that she looped her arm in his, smiling down at her as she did so. When they reached the door, he held it open for her before continuing to escort her to her car. “Jeez, I haven’t been on a real date in ages. I’ve had a weird relationship with an ex for a while.” Brandon looked down at her curiously, finding it hard to believe she had trouble finding a date. He was also surprised that she was bringing up her ex on a first date. He didn’t mind it; he just assumed most people kept that off the table on the first date.

“I mean it’s over now! But because of him my love life has just been…blah. He’s kind of…you know what? I’m not talking about him right now.” Brandon chuckled, just watching the change in her expression as she changed the subject. Jo had some cute expressions. “So? How are yooou?” He laughed at the way she asked the question and then sighed. “You know, it’s been a grueling day off. I slept in, watched TV, napped…I mean it’s just been a rough day,” he teased. “But a man’s gotta do what he must to get ready for a big date.” His tone was mock serious and he gave a playfully serious frown as he nodded. When they reached his red mustang, he opened the door for her and smiled boyishly as she climbed in. “Your chariot awaits,” he announced, leaning an arm across the top of the window while she got in. He made sure she was all the way in before he closed the door behind her. He made his way to the driver’s side and when he turned the key in the ignition, the car purred to life. “How was your day?” he asked as he pulled out and made his way to the restaurant.

He listened attentively as she talked about her day, throwing in his playful comments every now and then to make her laugh. She did have a great laugh, an infectious one, and he liked hearing it. As soon as they pulled up to the restaurant, he got out and opened her door for her before giving her a hand to help her out of the car. Though he was certain Jo didn’t need to be pampered and treated chivalrously, it was obviously an appreciated gesture. What woman didn’t like being treated well? Once she was out, he offered his arm for her to take with a charming smile. “Shall we?” he inquired with a good-humored tone. He waited for her to take his arm before they headed into the restaurant. “Some of my fish ends up here,” he said conversationally. He looked down at her with a boyishly proud look. “You should try the salmon. Odds are I caught it.” His tone was playful and he gave a grin to show that playfulness, but he really had sold the restaurant some choice salmon earlier this week. He was thinking he might get some himself, just to try out his wares.

Once inside, he gave his name for their reservation and the host took them right back to a table near the window with a great view of the beach and the pier. Even though it was dark out, the lights on the pier made it look lovely and there was a crescent moon lighting up the ocean. Once at the table, he pulled Jo’s chair out for her politely and tucked it under her as she sat. Brandon was much older than he looked and his manners befitted an older man; he knew how to treat a lady. He took his own seat across from her and smiled handsomely. “Have you ever been here before?” he inquired casually.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

Jo was glad when she heard him laugh instead of getting weirded out that she had brought up her ex. What the hell was wrong with her bringing up Kit like that? She was so mad at Kit for invading her mind while she was on a date with Brandon, that if she were still talking to him she would text him and tell him to knock it off, as if it were his fault.

His day sounded great and she laughed softly as he made it seem like a long, grueling day of relaxing. He was too cute for his own good. “But a man’s gotta do what he must to get ready for a big date.” "That he does." She agreed with the same level of seriousness he used,

Jo was impressed when he opened her door for her and climbed on in. “How was your day?” Jo beamed as he showed interest in her day and went on and on about how her distributors had screwed up her Vegas shipment and the labels had a typo and how the store manager at the Vegas location had given her her one month notice. Jo had known it was coming for a while; Roxy wasn't fit to run a store forever, but she had done a damn good job while she had.

Jo didn't hold back chewing his ear off the whole way figuring that if he didn't want to hear it he would give her some sort of sign, but his little comments made it clear he was not only listening, but was relatively interested in what she had to say, which was a nice change of pace. Her heart raced when he opened her door for her when they got to the restaurant and she beamed at him, taking his hand to help her out. He was being such a gentleman! It was hard not to swoon.

“Shall we?” He asked and she could tell he was being sweet and playful at the same time, which she found more than a little sexy. "We shall." She replied, looping her arm in his and walking with him to the restaurant. She couldn't believe how sweet he was being. He had exceeded all of her expectations, which was really nice considering their date had only just begun.

“Some of my fish ends up here. You should try the salmon. Odds are I caught it.” Jo raised a brow. "Oh, yeah?" She asked, showing her interest. "I might just have to do that. I love salmon!" She replied as the waitress escorted them to their table.

The view was beautiful and she looked out with awe as they approached the table, and was again blown away when Brandon pulled her chair out for her. She beamed, not recalling any man doing that for her. "You certainly know how to impress a lady." She teased gently, crossing her legs at the ankle and tucking them under her chair as Brandon took his seat. She gazed at him feeling her stomach squirm slightly.

“Have you ever been here before?” Jo just shook her head. "I haven't. I don't date an awful lot and when I do.. let's just say you're probably the nicest guy I've been seen with in a while." She laughed, taking her napkin and tucking it on her lap. "Which is sort of a surprise. I mean, not that I'm surprised you're nice, just.. I don't know I got the impression you're more of a pool and beer kind of guy than a wine and dine. Or maybe I had it right and you're just trying to impress me." She grinned with her tease, folding her hands on her lap and grinning sweetly at him form across the table. "Which is an okay date for me, too.. but I like this. I like being treated like this. What girl doesn't? Brownie points."

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon had to say he was pretty proud of himself for surprising Jo so much. Maybe he was little more than a brute, but he could pretend he was more than that when he wanted to. “I haven’t. I don’t date an awful lot and when I do…let’s just say you’re the nicest guy I’ve been seen with in a while.” Brandon smiled, shaking his head. “That’s pretty bad,” he joked with a laugh. Brandon being called nice? It had happened before, but he never saw himself as such. He was funny and maybe cute, but he didn’t think of himself as nice. “Which is sort of a surprise. I mean, not that I’m surprised you’re nice, just…I don’t know, I got the impression you’re more of a pool and beer kind of guy than a wine and dine. Or maybe I had it right and you’re just trying to impress me.” He followed her lead and placed his napkin in his lap, chuckling with a nod. “Which is an okay date for me, too…but I like this. I like being treated like this. What girl doesn’t? Brownie points.” She was adorable. The way she smiled and said “brownie points,” made him laugh. He put his palms to the ceiling and raised the roof discretely. “Brownie points!” he cheered quietly and then grinned. He liked the sound of her laugh.

“Honestly, I find it surprising that you don’t get treated like this more often. Guys should aim to impress on the first date and treat their date like a lady. Maybe that’s old-fashioned, but that’s how my dad raised me,” he commented with a little shrug. “Now, after the first date, I think a guy should be able to make it casual. A walk on the beach with no food or drinks should suffice if he pulled out all the stops on the first date.” He said it with a playful tone and smirked at her, letting her know he wasn’t serious. If this date went well, he had something good in mind for their next one. Jo may have thought this was impressive, but what he had in mind for the next date would blow this one out of the water. After that, maybe he would just take her out on the boat. It was creative and romantic, after all.

The waitress came over with a kind smile. “Good evening! I’m Lucy, I’ll be your server tonight. May I start you off with something to drink?” Brandon let Jo order first before looking to Lucy again. “I’ll have a Sam Adams,” he said with a friendly smile. Lucy told them she would be right back and hustled off, so Brandon turned his eyes back to Jo. “You mentioned coming here from Vegas. Is that where you’re from originally?” he inquired, wanting to learn some more personal things about the pretty lady across from him.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

She giggled when he raised the roof, her nose wrinkling lightly as it usually did when she laughed like that..He was certainly cute and funny, but she had known that already and she had a feeling he did, too. She wanted him to cash those damn brownie points in already and the date had only just begun! “Honestly, I find it surprising that you don’t get treated like this more often. Guys should aim to impress on the first date and treat their date like a lady. Maybe that’s old-fashioned, but that’s how my dad raised me,” Jo swooned. His dad taught him how to be a gentleman? That was one of the sweetest things she ever heard, but she knew it was probably because she never had a father to teach her anything, and here this stud had learned all his moved from his own. What other great things had Brandon's dad taught him?

“Now, after the first date, I think a guy should be able to make it casual. A walk on the beach with no food or drinks should suffice if he pulled out all the stops on the first date.” He was obviously joking but Jo smiled and and sighed as if this sounded like the most perfect date in the world. "You tease but that doesn't seem so bad. Actually... that doesn't seem so bad of an idea if I can still stand your face after supper." She teased back, offering her wrinkling nose grin once more. She would be more than happy to walk the beach with Brandon and maybe get another one of those sexy kisses he seemed so good at giving.

The waitress came by and took their drink orders, and Jo simply ordered a water with lemon. She preferred simply water, and perhaps with supper she might order a glass of white wine, but for now the water was fine. Jo watched pleasantly as the young girl went off to fetch their drinks, not having looked at the menu yet.

“You mentioned coming here from Vegas. Is that where you’re from originally?” he asked conversationally and Jo simply shook her head. "I'm not really from anywhere I suppose. I was born in Wyoming where it was just me and my mom, but when I was four I sort of got the boot." She gave a laugh as if this was a funny thing that happened, not wanting to bring up the whole messed up version of the story yet, not unless he really inquired. "Moved around a lot after that living with different family members all over the country really, but mostly in the west and central states. Moved to Vegas a few months before my seventeenth birthday and my aunt and uncle helped me through the rest of high school and then through most of college. Just until my store took of and I was able to really fend for myself." Jo, at times, had raised herself which was why she was extremely mature when it came to certain things, but far too behind in other aspects of her life. It came with the territory of raising yourself.

"But part of the reason I chose coming here was that I know I have roots here. I never met my father and I'm not entirely sure who he is or if he's here, but I know he's from here." Jo didn't come right out and say she was a Guardian. She didn't even necessarily imply it, but if Brandon was intelligent enough he might put two and two together and figure it out on his own. Of course she would deny it until she knew she could trust her secret, but she would cross that bridge when she came to it.

"How long have you been a fisherman and what made you become one? And when do I get to see that big ol' boat of yours?" There was a mild sexual undertone in what she asked about his boat, her eyes flirty, but she played it off as if she were completely innocent. She wasn't trying to rush him into the sack, but she was genuinely interested in his fishing boat.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon listened attentively as Jo told him her story. She looked like a small town girl and she confirmed it with telling him she was born in Wyoming. He found it disturbing that she would have gotten the boot from her own mother when she was four, though. How could a mother just give up their young child like that? While he was curious, he continued listening. She was shipped around the States, had been to college and started her store young. He liked a woman with ambition and Jo seemed to have plenty of it. Having pretty much raised herself, it seemed, it also made her very strong. The more she talked about herself, the more Brandon liked Jo. He’d really lucked out getting knocked into her table on the Pier. “But part of the reason I chose coming here was that I know I have roots here. I never met my father and I’m not entirely sure who he is or if he’s here, but I know he’s from here.” That sparked Brandon’s interest. Before now, he assumed she was a regular human girl who moved to Scriptor Bay for business. Now, having heard that her father was from here, he considered the possibility that maybe she was a Guardian. It was certainly plausible, and it would explain why she came here looking for answers, but maybe that was just because she really was just looking for her father. He had to wonder and felt a little less uncertain about showing her his wings.

“How long have you been a fisherman and what made you become one? And when do I get to see that big ol’ boat of yours?” The flirty look in her eyes suggested that maybe she was referring to something other than what she said. His big ol’ “boat,” huh? He smirked, trying to keep his filthy mind out of the gutter for once, but it was difficult when the woman across from him was so cute. A soft chuckle left him as he ran a hand over the scruff on his face, regaining his composure. “Well you can see the boat any time you want to, Darling. Just let me know when,” he replied, his smirk bordering on suggestive as he looked across at her. Whether it was actually the boat or something else she wanted to see, Brandon knew he was more than willing to comply with what she asked for at this point. “But I’ve been a fisherman for pretty much my whole life. I took a break to do some traveling when I was younger and I got to see the world, but as soon as I got back, I started up my own boat with my own crew. My father was a fisherman, as were his brothers, and I helped my dad on his boat when I was young. My sister and I both did.” As he spoke, the waitress made her way back over with their drinks and asked if they were ready to order. Brandon politely asked for a few more minutes and the waitress smiled and nodded, walking away again.

“I guess my main motivation for starting up my own crew was my dad passed away and left the boat to me. It was what I knew best and a tradition for the men in my family, so I got my business underway. I do genuinely like it, though. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than making money with your hands.” He gave a big smile and took a sip of his beer. “You should try it for a day. Then we can stink like fish together,” he teased. He opened his menu and decided that salmon sounded damn good tonight. His eyes glanced over that part of the menu, trying to choose his dinner as he thought about something more to ask her. He looked up at her across the table and smiled. “Did you ever do hard labor? Not that making soap and lotion isn’t hard work. I’m just having a hard time picturing skinny little you working on a farm or on a fishing boat,” he said with a playful grin. It was actually kind of cute picturing her doing either of those things.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

Jo liked the knowing little smile that Brandon offered her when she mentioned seeing his boat. It made her feel almost powerful for obviously getting a little charge out of him as he offered his suggestive look and told her she was welcome any time. Jo was starting to really fall for Brandon, and she was hoping things would work out, but it was way too soon for any of that.

It was fascinating listening to him talk about how he became a fisherman. He had traveled which was exciting, too! “I guess my main motivation for starting up my own crew was my dad passed away and left the boat to me. It was what I knew best and a tradition for the men in my family, so I got my business underway." Jo listened with deep interest, finding the more he talked, the more she was enjoying him. All of him.. not just the silly, sexy, suggestive part, but the intellectual who hid behind that. He was obviously a good man with strong morals and a kind heart. She had definitely misjudged this one and she wondered how long it would take for her to screw it up. She wasn't good at keeping the good ones around. Sure, the bad ones stuck it out for a while and then left her broken, but she wasn't going to let anyone break her again. Or so she told herself.

"There’s nothing more satisfying to me than making money with your hands. You should try it for a day. Then we can stink like fish together,” Jo cocked a brow at his insinuating she had never worked with her hands. “Did you ever do hard labor? Not that making soap and lotion isn’t hard work. I’m just having a hard time picturing skinny little you working on a farm or on a fishing boat,” His grin was playful but his words cut deep. It was clear he had made as many assumptions about her as she had of him.

"I'll have you know I used to live on my uncles ranch in California. Yes, it was only for about eight months, but I was up every morning feeding the horses and shoveling manure. I also once helped build a house when I lived in South Dakota. My great aunt Minnie insisted I was a bad egg and she made me volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, which was a lot more fun than hanging around her crummy old house. Not to mention have you seen the boxes in my store?" She narrowed her eyes playfully and made a muscle for him to see. Sure, her arms were scrawny but there was a little bulge where the muscle was. "I'm tougher than you think, bub. Watch yourself." Her smile grew and she put her hands back down in her lap and gave a small laugh. "I might have to come on your boat and show you up." She taunted, her gaze a challenging one with heavy seductive undertones. She wanted it to be clear she could hold her own.

"Now... let's see about this salmon." She tore her eyes from him and peaked down at the menu, her grin still visible on her face as she looked over the seafood portion of the menu.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Jo got fired up at Brandon’s playful statement and he raised his eyebrows at her. “I’ll have you know I used to live on my uncle’s ranch in California. Yes, it was only for about eight months, but I was up every morning feeding the horses and shoveling manure. I also once helped build a house when I lived in South Dakota. My great aunt Minnie insisted I was a bad egg and she made me volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, which was a lot more fun than hanging around her crummy old house. Not to mention have you seen the boxes in my store?” Brandon was smiling wide, amused by her insistence on proving her strength. He even chuckled as she showed her muscle to him and all he could think was how cute she was. “I’m tougher than you think, bub. Watch yourself. I might have to come on your boat and show you up.” He laughed, putting his hands up defensively, but her seductive undertone caught his ear. Oh, she could come on his boat alright…Damn, she made it hard to behave himself.

“Now…let’s see about this salmon.” Brandon watched her look down at her menu, smiling as she did. He looked at his own menu, settled on the first appetizing thing that involved salmon that he could find, and then went back to watching her. Physically, she looked so frail, like he could break her over his knee. But her personality was so strong and she seemed so forward, he had to look past it and see the commanding, fiery woman she really was under that scrawny frame. She was still cute, though. It wasn’t all bravado and forcefulness, she seemed pretty sweet too and just cute. He tilted his head to the side and smiled wide at her across the table. “Do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you right now?” he asked softly. His smile got wider as he caught her attention, getting a kick out of surprising her.

The waitress came back, interrupting anything Jo was going to respond with, asking if they were ready to order. He was in the middle of taking a sip of beer when she appeared, so instead of saying anything, he looked over at Jo, raising his eyebrows inquisitively. Once he had swallowed, he asked, “You ready, Jo?” He left it up to her whether they would order now or later.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

She felt his eyes on her and it made her stomach tingle deliciously, but she didn't look up, pretending not to notice as she scoured the menu. “Do you have any idea how much I want to kiss you right now?” he asked softly, and she could ignore him no longer. Her stomach twisted once more, this time in longing and desire as she looked up at him and smirked, when really all she wanted was just the same.

Again her mind flitted through the notion that he was too good to be true. He wasn't trying to use her, she decided. If he was he certainly wouldn't be dropping a small fortune on dinner, but that didn't necessarily mean he was genuine. Still, she couldn't help but feel the same as him. Jo wanted nothing more than to slide onto his lap, wrap her arms around his neck and make out with him there at the table. The thought made her blush slightly. Her mouth opened so she could talk when the waitress arrived suddenly, making her blush even darker as she looked up at her.

The girl asked if they were ready and Jo turned her doe eyes to her date, who asked if she was ready. She was ready for him more than she was for supper. "Uh.. yes." She said, flustered. "I'll have the Citrus Salmon with Watercress Salad, please and a glass of Chablis, please." She gulped and turned her eyes back to Brandon, waiting for him to put his order in. It didn't take long for them to be alone once more.

"You know... maybe you'll get that kiss if you behave." She teased from her spot across from him at the table. Deep down she already knew he was getting that kiss, it was keeping it to just the kiss that was going to be the real hard part. "It's my big muscles that did it for yah, isn't it?" She asked, her grin brightening a little more at her joke. She lifted her "guns" for him again, flexing and then laughing when she saw someone looking over at her, feeling embarrassed. She pulled her shoulders forward and wrapped her arms down over her stomach. "Maybe I'll flex more later when we're not so... public." She laughed, nipping at her bottom lip again as she smirked at Brandon.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon bit back a laugh at how flustered Jo was when the waitress asked for her order. She gave it quickly though politely and he watched her with a knowing smile. There was something so pleasing about flustering a woman; on Jo it was adorable. When she was done ordering, he smiled at the waitress. “I’ll have the Chilean salmon, please.” The waitress scurried off to put in their orders and Brandon’s eyes came back to Jo’s. He hoped she could tell he genuinely meant what he said. Looking at her now, he remembered the way her mouth felt against his in the backroom of her store, her body pressed against his. It made him swallow hard, telling himself he would be able to do that later.

“You know…maybe you’ll get that kiss if you behave.” He sighed heavily like he was disappointed. “Do I have to behave?” he whined playfully. His mouth broke out in a grin to let her know it was a joke. “It’s my big muscles that did it for yah, isn’t it?” He laughed and then nodded. “Yeah, you got me!” he admitted playfully. She showed her guns and he sucked in a breath through pursed lips like she had just done the sexiest thing in the world. “Oh, baby, don’t tease me,” he scolded playfully. Her eyes went to a nearby table, and he did the same, seeing the people watching her, and he laughed with her. Looking back at her, he had to admire how wide her smile was when she laughed and the way her nose crinkled was adorable.

“Maybe I’ll flex more later when we’re not so…public.” Brandon grinned from across the table, leaning back in his chair a bit. “I hope that’s a promise,” he said with a wink. Their witty banter was fun, toeing the line between cute and sweet, and he found it fit Jo perfectly. Half the time he wanted to call her cute and half the time sexy. He shook his head as if in awe of her and he took a sip of his beer, never taking his eyes off her. “I still can’t believe you’re single. Are you sure I’m not the other man? Because I might feel objectified,” he warned playfully, giving her a mock suspicious look. What crazy asshole wouldn’t want someone like Jo? He had to admit, he didn’t know her very well, but he was certain that even if she was capable of putting up a good fight, she also be capable of being very caring as well. It would take time to come to a certain conclusion about Jo Haile, but it was time Brandon was willing to put in to get to know her.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

Brandon could dish the funny comments and take them pretty well. He seemed like an all around good guy, and pretty happy. Jo wondered if there was a bad side to him at all! “I hope that’s a promise,” He shot at her with a wink when she told him she'd flex more later. She gave a coy little grin, her eyes shooting to the ceiling as her shoulder rolled up in a playful shrug before looking back at him. She wasn't promising anything, not on the first date! She would behave herself as best as she could. Plus, he had to drop her back off at the store and it wouldn't be comfortable to get down and dirty there. Not that they couldn't, just that it wouldn't be ideal. Plus Jo liked to pretend she had more class than that.

“I still can’t believe you’re single. Are you sure I’m not the other man? Because I might feel objectified,” His looks was playfully suspicious and she laughed, rolling her eyes. If only Kit could hear this guy talking about her this way!

"I assure you, you're the only man. At least for now." It was her turn to shoot the playful wink in his direction. It was nice to hear someone think so much of her, and she immediately thought she would give away some weird secret part of her that would freak him out and make him bolt. She had no idea what this secret part of her was, other than her shifting, but the shifting had never scared off potential suitors. There was just something about Jo that attracted the noncommittal type.

"I'm going to be upfront with you, Brandon." She said, her tone becoming only slightly more serious. "Relationships and me... they just don't work. I can't tell you why, because honestly I have no idea. I wish I knew.. but I don't. I don't think it's me, but... well, the crazy person never thinks they're crazy. Not that I'm crazy! I don't think..." She laughed and brushed her hair away from her forehead before it slid right back into place. "Jeez, did it just get a little hotter in here?" She asked with a nervous laugh. Jo bit her lip, afraid of scaring him off, but it was good to warn him! "I always end up with guys that just don't want to commit in the end, even after dating for months. And I know my ex messed up a few chances I had with guys in the past, but we've come to a sort of understanding and I don't think he's going to be hanging around anymore. I've made it clear he's not welcome in my life.." Jo sighed and reached for her water, sipping it.

"I'm doing it again... talking about exes." She bit her lip and shook her head. "I haven't had a really nice date like this in... ever. Just ignore me." She gave a soft, almost nervous laugh, her elbow coming to rest on the table as she cradled her chin in her hand. "On another note, I think you're really sexy.. if that helps pull me out of the hole I managed to dig for myself. Sexy and funny are a good combination, and you, sailor, are a good combination." When all else fails, charm the pants off em'! She thought to herself, hoping her attempt at humor would win him back over.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

“I assure you, you’re the only man. At least for now.” Brandon chuckled at the wink Jo gave him. He hoped it would stay that way. When Brandon was with a woman, he was with only her; he had tried the juggling act once and found he was terrible at it. He was pretty sure Jo was the same, and positive what she said was a joke, but he still hoped it remained so. “I’m going to be upfront with you, Brandon.” He sat straighter, giving her his full attention. What did she have to be so serious about? “Relationships and me…they just don’t work. I can’t tell you why, because I honestly have no idea. I wish I knew…but I don’t. I don’t think it’s me, but…well, the crazy person never thinks they’re crazy. Not that I’m crazy! I don’t think…” Brandon’s head was tilted to the side now, a little perturbed by her statement. She didn’t come off as crazy; quirky, yes, but not crazy. Brandon wondered how it was that relationships didn’t work with her. Was that his cue to give up? Because if it was supposed to be, then he wasn’t taking the cue. He liked Jo, and he had always learned to never say never.

He saw Jo becoming uncomfortable, pushing her hair out of her face to no avail. “Jeez, did it just get hotter in here?” Brandon chuckled at her nervous laugh, noticing again how she bit her lip. “I always end up with guys that just don’t want to commit in the end, even after dating for months. And I know my ex messed up a few chances I had with guys in the past, but we’ve come to a sort of understanding and I don’t think he’s going to be hanging around anymore. I’ve made it clear he’s not welcome in my life…” She took a drink of water and still Brandon remained silent, just listening to her talk. He had to say, this was all useful information. So she was attracted to assholes it seemed. Well, Brandon used to be that way, so that might be why he attracted her, but he was over that phase of his life. He was done running away from commitment. “I’m doing it again…talking about exes. I haven’t had a really nice date like this in…ever. Just ignore me.” Brandon chuckled again, leaning forward more. “That’s impossible,” he assured her calmly. There was a smooth side to go with his prankster core that he was able to fluctuate between.

Brandon watched as Jo leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as she smiled at him across the table. He was intrigued by this sudden change. “On another note, I think you’re really sexy…” His grin turned a little wicked and spread wide across his face, feeling a little shock of electricity go through him at this blunt statement. “…if that helps pull me out of the hole I managed to dig for myself. Sexy and funny are a good combination, and you, sailor, are a good combination.” Brandon laughed, scratching the back of his head in bashfulness at her compliments. His eyes came back to her and he leaned his folded arms on the table so he could be closer to her. “I think you’re a good combination yourself. Very funny and very sexy,” he replied, his voice low and smooth. His smirk was enough to verify what he said, admiring her across the table. “But you didn’t dig yourself a hole. I want to know all of that about you. Maybe the guys you dated before weren’t looking for commitment, but…well, I’m not them.” He gave an almost playful roll of his shoulders, before tilting his head to the side a little. “I used to be like that, though. When I was younger, I fooled around and left a string of broken hearts in my wake, which may be why you’re attracted to me,” he said with a playful tone at the end before grinning. “But I wised up. When my dad died, I became single-mindedly determined to start my own fishing business, and for the past several years that’s all I’ve thought about. What’s funny is just when I’ve decided I’m ready to get back in the game and be serious this time, I crashed your tea party.” He laughed at the memory, still watching her. “Maybe that’s cheesy and maybe you think I’m just feeding you lines, but it’s true. I really like you Jo…I want to give this dating thing with you a shot. I hope you’ll still have me, even though I want to commit.” He gave her playful puppy dog eyes to lighten the mood again and then took a sip of his beer. “And if I ever find that little fucker who knocked me into your table, I’m going to give him fifty bucks.”

Their food arrived and the pair spent their meal talking and joking. He told Jo what it was like to grow up in Scriptor Bay, shared a few tales about him and Melanie, and Jo told him what it was like to jump around the country as she grew up and shared a few tales of her own. All in all, it was a great meal and a great time getting to know a great lady. Jo was cute and sexy and fun, not to mention funny, and he enjoyed her company. She made him laugh, and while that wasn’t necessarily hard to do, her humor played off his perfectly. It was like they had been talking sharing each other’s humor their whole lives. How lucky could a guy get? He decided to find out. “Well, since I like you and all,” he began, giving her a playful wink. “Would you come to the masquerade ball at the museum with me next week? My sister is a sponsor to the museum, but she doesn’t want her tickets. I thought maybe you would like to come with me.” Brandon liked parties, but he didn’t do the fancy ones very often. It would make for a memorable second date, though, and he hoped Jo would say yes.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

“I think you’re a good combination yourself. Very funny and very sexy,” She smiled and then but her lip. It was so much easier for Jo to dole out the compliments than accept them herself. She just rarely believed when guys told them to her. She was Plain Jane, or so she thought. Then again, maybe that was Brandon's style.

When he talked about looking for commitment, Jo felt her heart leap. So he might want something long term with her? THAT was news! “I used to be like that, though. When I was younger, I fooled around and left a string of broken hearts in my wake, which may be why you’re attracted to me, but I wised up." She was hopeful again. Maybe things would work with Brandon, after all. It made sense why she would be attracted to him if he was one of those serial daters like she used to target. Maybe she had finally found someone who had grown up!

"What’s funny is just when I’ve decided I’m ready to get back in the game and be serious this time, I crashed your tea party.” He laughed and she joined him with a nod. "You certainly did." She agreed. “Maybe that’s cheesy and maybe you think I’m just feeding you lines, but it’s true. I really like you Jo…I want to give this dating thing with you a shot. I hope you’ll still have me, even though I want to commit.” She wanted leap across the table and jump him then and there. She blushed and smiled again. “And if I ever find that little fucker who knocked me into your table, I’m going to give him fifty bucks.” She laughed and shook her head. Could he be any sweeter? "Do you know how badly I want to kiss you right now?" she was obviously head over heels for him.

“Well, since I like you and all,would you come to the masquerade ball at the museum with me next week?" Her eyes lit up. The Masquerade? She had always wanted to go to the Masquerade. "Yes!" She chirped before he had even finished explaining how his sister wasn't going to go. "Oh my God, are you kidding? That's a total yes." She laughed as the waitress came with their meals, making her blush again and pipe down. It was hard not the shriek her excitement and her shoulders peaked in her silent cheer, biting her lip to keep her trap shut. She shook her head once the waitress left. "SO many brownie points!" She said, her voice high and happy.

The rest of the date went off without a hitch. They talked and got to know each other more, and talked about their plans for the Masquerade. Jo was beside herself, and for once she was so glad she had let the guy pick her up at her store. It forced her not to get too carried away after the first date. The Masquerade, however... all gloves were off for that!!

End Thread