Page 18 of Ryder

I had no earthly idea who my date was, which I think Allison always did on purpose. Maybe she was afraid I would look him up and then bail on the date? Who knows.

Feeling in a much better mood today, I played music as I got dressed. Selecting a pair of black ankle pants, a silver sequin halter top, and black heels. I pull my hair into a high ponytail and drape a black studded necklace around my neck.

Sprinting my favorite Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue perfume around me, I take a glance at myself in the mirror.

The restaurant that Allison texted me earlier is only a few blocks away from my apartment. I decide to walk and enjoy the beautiful evening.

The small little Italian restaurant was adorable and had a great atmosphere. With an outdoor patio and live music playinginside, it was a great place to eat and enjoy the California weather.

As I walk the short distance, I admire the cute boutiques and bakeries lining the streets. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else in the world. Moving here was the best decision I had ever made.

I could hear the music of the band playing as I turned the corner onto the street where the restaurant was located. I could see the outdoor patio and smell the buttery and garlic aroma of the amazing food. My mouth began to water, and even if this date were a bust, at least I would get a fantastic meal tonight.

Walking up to the hostess stand at the door, I spotted Allison and John. They were the cutest couple, and I secretly hoped to find that kind of happiness one day. John was tall with dark hair and a beard. He had a little beer belly that bounced when he laughed. He was a great guy, and Allison was a lucky woman to have him.

“Scarlett, over here,” Allison yelled, as she waved from the outdoor table.

I smiled at the hostess and then made my way through the array of round tables until I reached where Allison was. I smiled at her and John, and then my eyes traveled to a man who I instantly knew was my date.

Standing, he wore khaki pants and a light blue, button-down shirt. Everything about him looked stiff, even his slicked over light brown hair seemed stiff like he had too much gel holding it together.

“Scarlett, this is our friend Gregory,” Allison says, introducing us.

Gregory reaches out and shakes my hand, his grip firm, but...nothing happens.

No sparks. No excitement. Nothing that makes my body tremble and my mind race.

We all sat down, and Allison and John began chatting away, trying to build a conversation.

“So, Allison tells me you work with her at a place called All Our Children,” Gregory asks me.

I nod in confirmation as I glance at the menu. “Yes, I have been there for a year, and it’s a great place to work,” I say.

“For now, right? I mean, eventually, you will want a more corporate position,” he says, his tone more businesslike than formal.

“I don’t know,” I say, a little perturbed by his question. What if I wanted to stay there forever? I had this uneasy feeling that this man was judging me.

I gave Allison a knowing look, and she pretended not to notice.

“Well, what is your business plan? Where do you see yourself professionally in the next five years?” Gregory asks, his eyes looking at me as though I am a child.

“Is this a job interview or a double date?” I joke, taking a sip of my ice water that the waiter had placed on the table.

I could feel the tension growing at the table as Allison and John could sense that this date wasn’t going as they had planned. I mean, did Allison and John not know me at all? What in the world would make either of them think someone like Gregory would be a good match for me?

Then, something hit me like a ton of breaks. Allison had set me up with Gregory because he was safe. He was absolutely everything I had said I wanted in someone after my disastrous breakup. When, in reality, that was the last thing I wanted. I sunk deeper into my chair, feeling the weight of that clarity piling on me.

Gregory offered a slight chuckle, and I could see he wasn’t impressed all that much with me either. While he was kind enough, he wanted someone more business-minded. However, that wasn’t how love worked. I wanted someone who wouldmake my heart skip a beat with just a smile. To laugh and joke while at dinner, not talk about work.

“You are right, Scarlett, this conversation feels too stuffy,” he says, but I can tell that would interest him more than anything else I would want to talk about.

Gregory started up a conversation with John, and I just smiled at Allison. She opened her mouth to say something, but she was cut off by a familiar roar of a motorcycle engine.

“It couldn’t be,” Allison stated, her eyes growing wide as she turned in her seat to face the street.

I almost forgot how to breathe as my eyes began searching the street for a raven-haired man on a motorcycle. I knew I shouldn’t feel this anxious at the thought of seeing Ryder, but I couldn’t help that my body was betraying me.

“What’s wrong?” John asked, noticing how Allison was now standing as she searched the crowds.

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