Page 63 of Perfect Date
“Okay, I get it, but will you just think about it? How’s that?”
“What’s in it for me?”
“A lot!” She says and I roll my eyes.
“Kimberly, I heard what I heard.”
“But did you though? Did you really, Charlie? Think back, what did you really actually hear? How much of it did you just fill in with assumption?”
I pause, then shake my head stubbornly, “It was just fake dating, I know it, he knows it, and you know it. Whatever he said to you, or Sam, it’s only because he feels bad, I’m sure. He’s a nice guy. I know he is, I saw it and felt it and came to really like it. But the fact is, he didn’t like me like I like him,” she starts to interrupt, “And it’s okay. But I’m sure as hell going to make him regret it.”
“Well again I’m just going to ask that you think about hearing him out, and if you do then I’ll…”
“You’ll what?”
“I’ll think about letting you set me up with someone.”
“Whaaat?” I ask a big smile coming on my face and I actually feel gleeful for a moment, until I remember what it is she wants me to do in exchange.
“No promises,” I tell her immediately feeling serious again.
“Fine. Go on. Do this. If you have to.”
“I have to. Maybe it will show me the truth. Operation, make Justin jealous is a go,” I tell her and then she precedes me out the door shaking her head the whole time.
It isn’t until I’m already in my car and on my way that I realize I didn’t even tell her that her hair looks nice.
I suck.
16
Idon’t arrive absurdly early like I have in the past. No, that won’t work this time. This time I’m late.
Tonight, I’m meeting a guy for a date named Jordan, and this time, I did something different prior to agreeing to meet him in person. I actually exchanged a couple messages with him ahead of time before just taking the plunge like I have in the past. For tonight I needed to reduce my risk.
Getting embarrassed again was absolutely not part of the plan.
Nerves make me hesitate a bit as I pull my car into the parking lot. Lord knows I haven’t had the best luck with dates. And they’ve left me less than confident, so again I remind myself, that’s why I spoke to him ahead of time. I think it’s safe to say, he seems like a really nice guy.
Apparently, he has a career in marketing, and he even shared the exact firm he works for, so it’s not like marketing is code for… standing on a corner holding a street sign advertising a low price at the wireless store just down the way. Admittedly though, to be sure, I found his profile on LinkedIn and true to his word, it checked out.
He also shared he has two sisters with whom he’s close, enjoys playing baseball in a summer league with some friends, loves his golden retriever Iggy, and enjoys making things with his hands, especially wood-working, though he admits to being a bit of a handyman who always is searching for projects. He sent me photos of a bookcase, table, and even a chair he made. They’re all beautiful.
Stepping inside, I’m about ten minutes late, which is perfect. I take a few minutes to look around, and don’t miss Sam’s glare when she catches my gaze. In her brief expression, I know without spending more time searching, that Justin is there and that he’s seen me. Or perhaps I just feel his imprint like I have in the past. Yep, it’s like a dormant wire just came online again, because I canfeelit.
Refusing to give in to the desire to look at him, I turn my attention to Jordan, who’s sitting at a table by himself.
When he spots me, he stands and as I begin to walk over to the table, out of the corner of my eye, I see Justin come around the bar. I almost stop, but instead go straight to Jordan’s table.
“Charlie,” he says with eagerness in his voice, and wow, he’s even more attractive in person.
He’s got dark blonde hair, eyes so blue they almost look grey, and he looks very fit in his dark gray suit and tie.
“Jordan, hi. It’s so nice to meet you in person,” I tell him and I’m taken off guard when he leans forward and kisses me softly on the cheek.
“It’s so nice to meet you too; you look absolutely beautiful. Wow.”
“Thank you,” I smile shyly, feeling pleasure at the compliment.
