Dennis drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as he approached Charlotte’s building, ten minutes early. With no street parking, a gated entrance into her parking garage, and the nearest municipal lot three blocks away at Piedmont Park, no wonder she had insisted he pick her up in front. 

His stomach clenched. Why so nervous? He’d been on hundreds of dates, most of them first dates. He groaned. Nearing his fortieth birthday, he wanted something more serious. He snapped his fingers. If he counted their impromptu dinner after his fund-raising speech on Tuesday, it wasn’t a first date.

He stopped in the loading zone and waited. 

Five minutes later, Charlotte exited her building dressed in jeans and a white tee shirt, her auburn curls pulled back into a low ponytail. Even dressed casually she impressed. He found her more attractive now than when she’d worn a cocktail dress.  

He hopped out of his Volvo and jogged around to the curb. 

She laughed as she opened the passenger door before he reached it. “Nice car.”

He ran back and slipped into the driver’s seat. “Henceforth, let it be known that I tried to be a gentleman.” A nervous laugh escaped him. How lame could he get? He pulled away from the curb.

Charlotte giggled. “Thanks for driving. I could have met you there, though.”

“No reason for both of us to drive.” He glimpsed her in his peripheral vision.

She faced front and stared out the windshield. 

His mind raced. Why hadn’t he thought of something to talk about on the way? What did they have in common other than still being single?

Charlotte cleared her throat. “When was the last time you went to Stone Mountain?” 

“Oh. Years ago.” He exhaled. 

Conversation about Saturday outings, her software company, and his law practice and youth center flowed during the half hour drive. 

After he parked at the main ticket plaza, he glanced at the long list of attractions. Why didn’t he do any research? 

Charlotte unbuckled her seatbelt but stayed in her seat and winked at him.

He hopped out and rounded the front of the car. 

When he opened her door, she clasped his hand and stepped out. “What do you have planned?” 

He winced. “Did I tell you my schedule has been ridiculous this week?”

She grinned and steered him toward the ticket booth. “Then I get to decide.”

Dennis stood behind her, let Charlotte order tickets, then he supplied his credit card. She reached into her purse, but he pushed his card at the clerk. “I invited you.”

“But I—”

“If I had planned better, you wouldn’t have needed to.” He finished the transaction and escorted her toward the entrance. “So, what are we doing?”

“The skyride, of course.” Charlotte headed that direction and pointed at a ropes course. “Ooh, I didn’t see that. Do you want to try it?”

Sweat beaded on his brow. “Let’s do the things we have tickets for, first.”

Her eyes twinkled. “We could watch for a few minutes. We have time.” She hesitated. “We do have the rest of the day, right?”

He squinted. “Yeah, why?”

“Because I—” She smiled. “Er, you bought tickets for the laser show. I haven’t seen it in ages.”

He smirked. “Me neither. I’m up for it.” 

She led him to the ropes course, where they watched a family of four start off, the smallest going first. He looked about seven. “I always think if little guys like him can do it, I can.” 

Dennis forced a grin. “Uh, yeah. But his center of gravity is much lower than mine.”

She snorted then covered her mouth with her fingers. 

The kid’s older sister, mom, and dad made their way across the first balance beam.

Charlotte pointed. “See, it’s not hard.”

He raised his index finger. “Ah, but maybe they make it look easy.” 

“Okay. We’ll think about doing this later.”

“If we have time.” He clasped her hand and strolled toward the skyride. He’d dawdle enough to make certain they wouldn’t have time for the ropes course. “Have you ever hiked up to the top?”

“Oh wow.” She blew a raspberry. “When I was twelve?” She sighed. “I’m not sure I could now.”

“Really?” He narrowed his eyes. “You look fit.” He clamped his mouth shut. Too soon.

Her smile faded. “Thank you. But, it’s an illusion.” She waved her hand back and forth. “I sit in front of my computer all day.”

He took a deep breath as they approached the end of the line for the skyride. “Looks like we wait.”

A gondola approached.

“I don’t think it’ll take long.”

“Not long enough.” He mumbled. 

She studied the ground then looked at him. “We don’t have to go to the top.”

“It’s fine.” She’d given him an out. Why had he spoken without thinking?  “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”

A stream of people passed them going the opposite direction. A kid from behind poked him in the shoulder. Dennis ushered Charlotte forward. He swallowed hard as he entered the cable car. Wasn’t stepping out of your comfort zone what made life worthwhile? He closed his eyes and inhaled letting it out on a count of eight. Why had he suggested this outing? 

Charlotte squeezed his hand. 

He squeezed back as he prayed not to shake or sweat. 

“Thank you for coming with me.” Charlotte slid out of his grasp. “You can open your eyes now.” 

The car clanked into the station at the summit. Charlotte beamed at him as he escorted her through the small building into a bright spring afternoon. She squinted at him, then raised an eyebrow.

“I’m fine, now.” He bobbed his head at the rail around the edge of the mountain. “As long as I don’t go close to that.” 

“I appreciate your sacrifice coming up here with me.” She slapped his shoulder. “You could have told me you didn’t like heights, though.”

He chuckled. “Went you one better. I showed you.”