Chapter 8: The First Date
The weather had been gloomy for days, with snow falling intermittently.
Winter days get dark early. The snowflakes glittered in the headlights of passing cars as I spotted Alex waiting outside the restaurant.
He was impossible to miss.
Wearing a long gray wool coat over a black turtleneck, holding a sleek black
umbrella, his 6’3” frame commanded attention. He looked like he’d stepped straight off a magazine cover. Women passing by kept turning their heads to look at him, unable to tear their eyes away.
Í blushed. “Seriously? We’re eating at a hole–in–the–wall place, not a Michelin- starred restaurant. Why are you dressed like you’re heading to a fashion shoot?” Alex tilted his umbrella to cover me, looking slightly embarrassed. “Just came from a meeting–didn’t have time to change. Should I go home and come back in something else?”
“No, no, it’s fine,” I said, pulling him into the restaurant. “Their buffalo wings are amazing, and the loaded potato skins–you have to try them.”
He glanced down at my hand on his arm. “Okay.”
“Look at you now, all fancy,” I said, searching for conversation as our food arrived. “Such a change from the kid who was always getting into fights. Talk about a glow- up–I wouldn’t have recognized you.”
Alex’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Actually, I never wanted to fight you. I had just moved to the neighborhood and didn’t have any friends. I thought you were cute and wanted to hang out, but Jake wouldn’t let me near you. That’s why I fought with him.”
“What?” I was stunned.
“He was the one playing dirty. Every time he saw me talking to you, he’d pick a fight,” Alex said, resting his chin on his hand. “I thought he had a crush on you. Surprised to find out you were just friends.”
My smile faded slowly. “…Yeah. Just friends.”
My phone suddenly buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Jake:
1/4
[What are you up to? Come out for dinner. Found an awesome new place]
I was about to reply when Alex pushed the menu toward me. “I’ve never had this grilled eggplant. Is it good?”
“It’s amazing,” I perked up immediately. “Their potato skins are out of this world. Hey, could we get an order of the loaded potato skins?” I called to the server. “Looks like they have craft beer too,” Alex said, glancing at a nearby table. “Been ages since I had a good draft beer. Did you drive here?”
“I didn’t-”
“Two craft IPAs, please,” he told the server before I could finish. I didn’t bother to
object.
Once the beers arrived, the mood shifted. After a few sips of the hoppy brew, Alex tilted his head. “Jake mentioned you’re writing a book. Could I read it sometime?” “It’s nothing special,” I waved dismissively. “Just an online novel. Not worth talking about.”
“That’s still impressive. I tried writing once–mystery thriller stuff like Gillian Flynn —but gave up after a few pages,” he admitted with a self–deprecating smile. “But I remember your essays in school were always brilliant. I think you’ll make it.”
I knew he was just being polite.
But at that moment, when no one else supported my dream–my parents thought I was wasting my time, Jake never took my writing seriously, and I had zero support system–even empty flattery felt warming.
Talking with Alex was surprisingly easy. He never let the conversation lag, and with beer lowering our inhibitions, we grew more animated, even making plans to meet
again.
It wasn’t until I went to the bathroom that I saw the string of messages and
missed calls on my phone.
All from Jake.
My momentary lightness faded. I hesitated before stepping outside to call him
back.
2/4
“…What’s up?”
“Where have you been all night? Working on your manuscript and missed my messages? I still haven’t eaten–get over here.”
I stared at the ground. “I can’t. I already ate.”
“Already ate?” He sounded surprised. “By yourself?”
“With Alex.”
The cold wind blew snow into the doorway, melting against my cheek. There was a brief silence on the other end.
After a moment, Jake’s voice came through, strangely flat. “Alex?”
His tone was unreadable. “You just met, and you’re already having dinner together?”
“Yeah,” I didn’t see the problem. “Weren’t you the one who introduced us?” “Gotta go,” I glanced back at Alex walking toward me. “It’s rude to be on the phone while I’m with him. Talk later.”
I hung up.
Immediately, my phone lit up with messages.
[?
What time are you coming home?
Send me your location. It’s late, I’ll pick you up.]
I frowned, but before I could respond, Alex waved his phone at me. “Just ordered an Uber. Where do you live?”
He asked so naturally that I answered without thinking. “Westside Gardens.”
Alex quickly gave the driver the address, then slid into the back seat next to me
instead of taking the front passenger seat.
The faint scent of mint, citrus and salt mingled with the malty aroma of beer as he leaned closer.
“Who were you texting? You kept checking your phone all night.”
I put my phone away. “No one important.”
After Alex dropped me off and left, I finally remembered to reply to Jake.
3/4
[No need. He already brought me home.]
Jake called immediately, his voice harsh. “He brought you home? He knows where you live now? Listen, aren’t things moving a bit fast? You’re a single woman living alone–do you even know if he’s a good guy? What if he knows your address and
has bad intentions?”
I was confused. “Weren’t you the one who recommended him? Said he was great and super popular?”
Jake went abruptly silent, then awkwardly changed the subject.
“Where did he take you?”
“I took him out, actually. To that old place we always go to.”
“You took him to OUR place?” Jake’s voice suddenly rose.
“Yeah, why?”
“Nothing. Just surprised that someone with his money let you pay. I figured he’d at least take you somewhere fancy like Per Se or Le Bernardin.”
Jake’s tone was strangely bitter all evening. I had no idea what his problem was.
I’d had a couple beers and was getting sleepy, not in the mood to continue this bizarre conversation. “Jake, you’re being weird tonight. What exactly is your point?” He was quiet for a moment, then said coldly, “Nothing. Bye.”
