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I haven’t been this excited about a date in a long time. Everything about the way Max and I met was thrilling and I’ve never experienced this instant connection with anyone.
We both wanted to meet somewhere we could talk (and eat), so we agreed to meet at Silk Road (a restaurant I had never been to). Max offered to come pick me, but I refused because I enjoy walking into a place and have the guy stare at me. I hope that’s not strange.
I did not want to ‘dress up’, so I didn’t beat my face. But I wore a simple black bodycon dress, threw on my wig, wore ankle-strapped heels, and I was good to go.
“You look amazing,” said Max as he got up to hug me. I was happy. Not because of what he said, it was the way his face lit up when I walked in. I couldn’t stop admiring him. He had on a blue long-sleeved shirt that showed off his chest and arm muscles, which are not too big to look like he was about to burst out of his shirt.
“Thank you, so do you,” I said as I sat down.
“I was half expecting you to be late, so I’m impressed by how early you made it. AND to look that good too…”
“I told you I wasn’t going to be,” I said, smiling. He had already ordered a bottle of Chardonnay and was pouring me a glass.
“You did. But I’ve experienced people being late to appointments too many times to believe when they say, ‘I’m on my way’.”
“Yeah, that’s true. Well, it’s good that I’ve shown you I’m not one of them.”
“And that’s awesome.” He sipped his wine and looked at me intently now. I could sense he was now serious. “So, I’m going to jump right into this and ask you a question if you don’t mind.”
“Sure,” I said, trying to be as serious as he was.
At this moment, the waiter had come over to take our order. I wasn’t too hungry and didn’t want to ‘suck belle’ after, so I just asked for shrimp. He said he was going to have the same thing.
“What were you going to ask?” I asked.
“I wasn’t going to forget,” he laughed, then became serious again almost immediately. “What is your dating life like? Are you single?”
“Of course I am. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t.”
“There are people who would.”
“I thought we established the fact that I’m not people? Anyway, is that why your face got all hard guy?”
He laughed. “Of course. Don’t you want to know if I’m single?”
“Are you?”
“Yes, I am. But you’re going to change that.” I keep talking about how good looking he is and I’m sure it’s tiring. This man was making me blush. I was sitting down, but my knees were weak.
“You don’t mean that.”
His expression became serious again. “I do. I mean, why waste any time when you immediately know you’ve found what you’re looking for.”
“Oh, you’re serious.” I realized this dude wasn’t playing and I panicked a bit. I’m surely not ready to jump into anything. “We get along alright and I really really admire how confident you are. But we just met and I don’t know you like that.”
He burst out laughing. “You should have seen your face. I wasn’t serious. That was how we got babes 10 years ago.”
Our food arrived and I thanked the waiter.
“I like that you did that,” Max said smiling.
“What?”
“Thanked the waiter. It’s courteous…and hot.”
I was smiling. “Seriously, what type of people have you been meeting that don’t say thank you?”
“They’re everywhere in this town, trust me.”
“Ok o. Sooo before this food interrupted, you got me to say I admire your confidence. I’ll get back at you.” We both laughed.
We ate mostly in silence, except for the occasional “this tastes lovely” and “you look so good while you eat”. We also talked about the ambiance of the restaurant coz it was my first time and I wanted him to know he made a good choice.
After the meal, he excused himself to the restroom and I went on the group chat with my girls to let them know I was having the best time.
“Asari! I KNEW that was you.” I turned around to see Efosa.
“Oooh God,” I thought to myself. Efosa is friends with Tobe, who is someone I’ve been on a few dates with. I wasn’t in the mood to see anyone I knew right now, but I got up and said in my most cheerful voice, “Efosaaaa, it’s so good to see you.”
“You too.” He hugged me. “How far now, where did Tobe go?” He signaled the empty plates.
“Uhmm, I’m here with someone else.” I pointed at Max, who was approaching.
“Oh wow. Hello bro,” said Efosa as he extended his hand to shake Max.
“Hello,” Max said as he took his hand. Then he took his seat. The atmosphere was tense and I didn’t understand why.
“I’ll see you some other time then, Asari. It was nice to meet you, uh???”
“Max. His name is Max.” I interrupted. “I’ll see you soon.” Then he left.
“I got called in for a work emergency while I was in there.” I could tell his mood was different. He was frowning.
“No you weren’t,” I said with a smirk. “You have a problem with what just happened.”
“What happened?”
“Efosa is friends with this guy I’m seeing.”
“This guy you’re seeing? You said you were single.” He looked slightly irritated.
“I am. Going out on dates doesn’t mean I’m not.”
“I agree, but you should have made that clear.” He beckoned the waiter to bring the bill.
“I’m confused.” I really was. “Am I supposed to give you my dating history on the first date?”
“Yes, because I asked.”
“But you only asked if I was single.”
“I asked what your dating life is like.”
“Well, I apologize for not going into details.” At this point, my confusion had turned to annoyance.
“I’m sorry for the way I reacted. I’m very honest about every detail of my life, so I just expect that from everyone.”
“But it’s not like I lied. It’s just unnecessary to tell you on the first day about anyone else I’m seeing.” The waiter was here and Max insisted he’d pay, so I got up to leave.
“Asari!!!!.” I heard him shout behind me, but I was already walking too fast to stop.
I’m standing outside Silk Road now, waiting for the taxi I ordered on my way out and texting my girls about how this all turned left.
1 Comment
Gen, gen… Nice suspence….