Nathaniel picks up his phone to text Chloe.  He shakes his head and thinks , not good enough.  He smiles.  He finally, has an idea.  He calls Chloe on the phone and hopes she answers.  He happens to know today is her day off from work.  

       Chloe hears her phone ring.  She looks at it and sees it is Nathaniel.  She grins as she thinks, wow, it must be important!  This is the first time he has ever thought to call me.  She picks up after the second ring.   "Hello, N-Nath, wow, this is a pleasant surprise!" Chloe says.

      Nathaniel smiles as she answers on the second ring.  He is glad she was to afraid to answer it.  He thought for a moment there she was upset with him, or something.  What a relief to know how wrong he actually was right now. 

      "Goose, how are you?"  Nathaniel says.  He tries not to sound like a nervous wreck.

    "Gr-Great, how about you?"  Chloe says. She can not believe she still stutters on occasion around him.

     "It is nice to hear your beautiful voice.  So, would you like to go out with me, tonight?"  Nathaniel says into the receiver.

    "You mean as a hang out, or a date like the time we went to the movies that one time?"  Chloe ask.

    "I mean like a date, so what do you say?"  Nathaniel ask. He grins big as he waits for her to answer.

    "I will have to check my schedule and..." Chloe begins.  She feels awkward and is not sure how to explain why she is so insecure about this whole thing.

     Nathaniel interrupts her,  "Chlo, I happen to know you are not busy because it is your day off from work, so just give me a simple no, or yes already, woman!  I mean if you are going to let me down  than why stall for time?"

      "I wish I could see your face right now to see your reaction to my answer.  Oh, and yes, I will be happy to go on a-another d-date with y-you, N-Nath.   It would be n-nice."  Chloe replies.

      "Great, I will be by your new place to pick you up at 4 pm!  Oh, and wear something comfortable, but modest.  Also, you could bring a jacket if you think you will need it.  You know what, forget about the jacket.  I will just bring mine."  Nathaniel remarks.

     "Ok, see ya at four then!   I will make sure to find just the right clothing for our date.  What about shoes, which ones should I wear?"  Chloe says.

     "We will go for a stroll in the park, and afterwards if you are okay with it to the fair.  It is the last day that is it in town, and I would really like to go to it with you."  Nathaniel says.

        " You can wear whatever shoes you think will be the most cozy.  Just keep in mind it might be a bit cooler outside as the days high will only be around 68 degrees instead of in the upper eighties or nineties. "  Nathaniel responds as he tries to figure out why she would worry about such silliness as shoes.  Then, again he reasons, this goose we are talking about here.

        "Oh, thanks Nath!  I am sure, I will be just fine.  Yes, the fair after our walk, sounds great! See you later, Nath!" Chloe says. She smiles even though she knows he can not see her through the cell phone.  She thinks, wow, he just up and ask me out!  Me, the girl who is the sister of his best friend.   Imagine me as Mrs. Kurtzberg.  She  snaps out of her day dream long enough to hear his response.

            "Yeah, s-see you later, C-Chloe!" Nathaniel says.  He thinks, did I just stutter?   He smiles as he hangs his cell phone up to end the call.  He sighs, and tells himself, well, that went over better than I would expect it too.  He is so glad Chole does not have some other man in her life. He blushes at the thought that she is available.  Available for him to ask to be his girlfriend, official for once.  He intends to do just that on their date tonight, so there is no more uncertainty left for either one of them.

         Chloe smiles as she hears the phone call end. She can hardly contain her excitement.  She checks the time and sees it is almost noon already.  She fixes herself a sandwich and pretzels.  When she finishes the light lunch it is 12:00pm.  She thinks, my date starts in four hours.  She day dreams about it as she looks through her closet for a nice outfit.  She chringes and throws out the lame sweater, top and pants she has had around since her high school days.  She rather wear something more modern something that shows maturity.  What?  What could work though?

       Two hours later, Chloe  has finally chosen the outfit.  She reads a book which occupies her time for thirty minutes.  Then, she watches a movie, checks the time and sees it is now 3 pm, just one hour left until her date with Nathaniel!  She is so happy!  She changes into the outfit, brushes her hair and decides to leave it down for now.  She puts in some cute earrings in the shape of bees, slips her feet into a pair of cute sandals, brushes her teeth, decides to go without the makeup today,does her nails and done.  Now, she is already to go.

       Chloe grabs up her purse, adds the keys, puts on her sunglasses, adds a small bottle of sunscreen to her purse,along with a small hair brush, a hair tie just in case she decides to pull her hair up later,  and some hand sanitizer.  Chloe  waits on her sofa for Nathaniel to arrive.  While she waits she tries to visualize how everything will go that day.  Only, nothing she can imagine will prepare her for the actual date itself, nor does it make her a less nervous wreck than she finds herself in already.  She tries to shrug it off and thinks, he likes me, he does, why else would he ask me out again?

     published June 4, 2019  & edits made July 25, 2019

      to be continued in Chapter 12  Nathaniel and Chloe's  Date!