Author's Note: This is my first time writing Denny Duquette, so bear with me! :)
Finally, a day off. I needed it, especially with finals coming up. It wasn't helping that I had just run out of cookies and crème ice cream. How else was I supposed to get through the night? I pull on a coat, because living in Seattle, it was always known to rain even if the sun was bright in the sky during the day.
I was simply expecting to stay in, eat a tub of ice cream, and watch movies. It was what I considered "me time." Many of my friends always told me that I studied too hard, worked too hard, that I deserved to relax. Though, my use of relaxing didn't exactly meet their standards.
I step into the grocery store, instantly making a beeline towards the frozen foods aisle. The endless amounts of ice cream make me wonder if I should step out of my shell and try a new flavor.
Nope. Don't do it. You're going to regret it.
My inner conscience tells me to settle for what I was used to and of course, I listened. I grab a tub of cookies and crème, holding it securely to my chest. I couldn't wait to get back home, change into my pajamas, and turn on some good ol' Netflix.
Aside from the ice cream, I end up grabbing two bags of chips and a few bars of chocolates. If anyone were to look at what I was purchasing, one would assume that it was my "time of the month." I had a poor diet. I rarely ate and when I did, it was junk food. I didn't know how I kept my figure for this long.
It's because you're always on your feet, stupid.
I roll my eyes at the thoughts in my head, placing my items onto the conveyor belt. I tap my foot impatiently on the floor, waiting for the person in front of me to finish paying so it could be my turn.
"Hi, how are you?" The young man says, beginning to scan my items. I just nod and flash a polite smile. I didn't want to make small talk. I just wanted to get home, eat my ice cream and relax.
"Alright. You're all set. Will you need any help for carryout, miss?"
I shake my head. "I've got it. Thanks!" Grabbing the two bags of junk food, I speedily make my exit. As I step outside to welcome the night air of the beautiful city of Seattle, I am distracted when the bag I was holding onto breaks and soon enough, my items fall to the dirty pavement.
Including my ice cream.
"Damn it. I just want to go home," I mutter under my breath. Suddenly, I hear a few footsteps following a quiet chuckle. Just as I was going to look up, the man kneels down to help me pick up my things.
Huh. What a gentleman.
"You in a hurry to get somewhere?" The man says, his voice gravelly deep. I look up at him, only now realizing how handsome this man was. His hair was a bit shaggy and he had a bit of grown-in stubble, but when he smiled… I didn't think it could get any better, until I saw his dimples.
"Yeah, I'm late for a date with my couch and that tub of ice cream. Thank you." I take the tub of ice cream from his hands, biting my lower lip. I can feel him staring at me, and when he stands upright, the height difference was noticeable.
He's hot, and he's tall? I'd say this is your dream man.
Once again, I shake my head at the thoughts in my mine. It was true though. He was a tall, handsome man and I would be lying if I said I didn't think he was cute.
He laughs, looking at me with an amused look in his hazel green-like eyes. God, this man was beautiful.
"Sounds like you're a woman who needs to learn to be on time, then," he teases.
I couldn't help but narrow my eyes, but my lip is still sucked in between my teeth.
He's cute and now he's funny? Get his number. You have to.
Clearing my throat, I hold the tub of ice cream to my chest despite the chilling feeling it felt against the thin fabric of my shirt.
"Are you always this charming to strangers?" I ask him.
"Only to the pretty ones," he grins.
I try to hide my blush, but from the way he's staring at me, I can tell that he noticed it. He looks… Proud of himself. Then again, if a man made a woman blush it must mean they were doing something right.
"Well, I better take your advice and get home. Wouldn't want to be late especially since a stranger gave me some wise advice. I think I'm going to turn over a new leaf," I smile.
Just as I was going to walk away, the man catches up to me with his long strides. "I'd like to give you more advice. Seems like you'll need a wise man in your life." He grins, grabbing his phone from his pocket and handing it to me.
I bite my lower lip once more – must have been a habit when I was nervous or something – and I stare down at the phone in my hands.
Oh, come on. Put your number in. What is there to lose? You're busy all the time anyway. Plus, need I remind you? He's smoking hot.
With a shut of my eyes to try and gather my thoughts, I finally input my number. I hand him his phone back and he looks it over, smiling to himself.
"So, Jess, huh?"
I nod.
"Well, Jess, I'm Denny. Have fun on your date," he flashes a wink and turns on his heel to enter the grocery store.
I walk back to my car, grinning like a schoolgirl. It had been a long time since I even thought about dating and even when I wasn't looking, a man like him shows up and proves to me that maybe being patient was all it took.
I drive back home, my mind hovering on Denny but I also remembered that today was my day to relax. Being a full-time bartender and a full-time student definitely took its toll on me, but it helps pay the bills and then some.
Once in the comfort of my own home, I prop my feet onto the coffee table with the new tub of ice cream on my lap and play the movie that I had been wanting to watch for quite some time now: Spotlight.
As I relax into the cushions of my couch, I hear my phone go off and I absently reach for it. It was an unknown number, but my eyes took notice of the name through the message itself.
Unknown Number: Hey. It's Denny. How's that date going?
I grin, biting my lower lip. I register his number into my contacts list before pressing the pause on the movie. I needed to reply to him.
Me: The date's going well. The ice cream is delicious. My pajamas are comfy and the movie I'm currently watching will make me cry in about thirty minutes, I can see it happening.
Denny: Oh no. Do you need a shoulder to cry on because I think I'm free.
Me: We just met and already you're trying to come over to my place? You're going to have to buy me dinner first, Denny.
Denny: Tomorrow night? I can pick you up at seven.
Not only was he charming, but he sure was persistent. I bite my lower lip, the movie and ice cream long gone from my thoughts as I try to remember what was happening tomorrow. When the realization that I had work hit me, I frowned. I had to find another way to go out with him.
Me: Well, I've got work. How about lunch?
Denny: Work? At seven? Don't tell me that you're a…
Me: Hold your horses. I'm a bartender. So, is lunch okay or not?
Denny: Lunch sounds great. I'll pick you up at noon.
Me: See you then, Denny.
Denny: Offer still stands for that shoulder to cry on. Would hate for you to waste tissues…
Me: I'll see you tomorrow.
I send him a smiley face before setting my phone aside. I play the movie, taking the tub of ice cream back onto my lap. I feel it vibrate once more, but I was too intrigued by the movie that I didn't bother to check it.
Just like clockwork, I feel tears brim at my eyes once the movie ended. I grab a few tissues, wiping the tears from my eyes before I pick my phone up.
Two new messages.
Denny: I'll see you tomorrow.
Denny: You crying yet?
I couldn't help but laugh. It was sent almost forty-five minutes ago, but without hesitation, I simply send him a sad face. I wait a couple of minutes before realizing that he must have fallen asleep – it was almost eleven o'clock.
I set the ice cream in the freezer, cleaning up around my living room. I needed to get to bed.
Once I was getting ready to sleep, I hear my phone vibrate on the bedside table. I lie in bed and reach for it, letting my finger hover on the home button for it to unlock. I see Denny's name light up on screen and I couldn't help but smile. How was it that I met this man a few hours ago and already, I was smiling just at the mere thought of him.
Denny: Just figured I'd say good night. My shoulder will be available to you tomorrow, so feel free to snuggle then.
Me: You sure love the idea of getting close to me, don't you?
Denny: You're pretty. I'm attracted to that. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night, Jess.
I smile, setting my phone aside. Maybe going to the grocery store late at night was worth it after all. Maybe dropping my things on the pavement was worth it. It definitely attracted the attention of a man that you were going to go out on a date with tomorrow.