I sit in discomfort as Chloe tries to burn holes through my date.
"It's only been a few months, Alex. You're dating already? And really, you could do better."
I surely wasn't expecting that. My date continues to just stare.
"Look, I didn't know you work here. Also, it's none of your business that I'm dating again. We broke up a year ago. I am doing better, thank you."
I chance a glance at my date, who looks at me as if we're the only two people in the room and my ex isn't hovering over us.
"Ah, Alex! It has been a while since you last entered my humble abode."
Thankfully, Vitus the owner just came out of his office and spotted us right away. He seemed to sense some discomfort, so he spoke up again.
"Is there a problem here? Chloe?"
Chloe brings herself out of her stupor and shakes her head.
"No problem Sir, I was just catching up with Alex, she's an old friend."
Vitus is not convinced.
"How about you take the next table, Chloe. I'll handle this one."
Chloe stomps away like a child not getting what she wants.
"Thank you, Vitus. As you can see, I'm on a date, and although she picked the place, I'd love it if she could try your famous souvlaki and moussaka."
"No problem, Alex. I apologize for any trouble Chloe has caused. She can be a handful sometimes."
"Not at all. Thanks again."
"So Chloe, huh?"
My date looks at me with curious eyes.
"Yeah, Chloe. Sorry about that. We dated for about 6 months and broke up almost a year ago."
"Why?"
"She left her phone on the table one day, a message came in and I glanced. I didn't even need to read the whole message to know what it was about."
She waves her hand at me, signaling for me to continue.
"She was seeing someone else. I confronted her about it and she said I was too busy with work so she sought comfort with someone else. This was around the time we were working on a new menu at the restaurant so of course I was busy. I thought she understood."
"Wow."
"You want to know the weird part? Turns out, the other person she was seeing had no idea she had a girlfriend. So my girlfriend cheated on me, AND I was the third party in someone's relationship with MY girlfriend at the same time."
"Oh my god."
"After a month Chloe came back, begging me for another chance. The other person broke up with her too."
"Serves her right. That was a horrible thing to do."
"I know. It was pretty easy to move on after I found out. But enough about that, tell me more about you."
She tells me about working in a local day care center, and putting up her own start-up company, making handmade crayons and other craft materials. We continue to talk about work throughout the dinner, and I'm glad the appearance of Chloe has not put a damper on our date.
We leave Vitus' and walk two blocks in comfortable silence. Halfway through the third block, our hands bump into each other and we both glance down at the same time.
Get it together, Vause. Hold her hand.
We walk a few more steps before I find the courage to weave my fingers through hers. I tentatively glance at her and find a small smile tugging at her lips. My heart does a somersault and butterflies flutter in my stomach.
Butterflies? When did I get so soft?
We reach her apartment door and I reluctantly break the hand connection while she fumbles with her keys before turning to me with those bright, blue eyes.
"So... I had a really great time tonight."
Oh god, those eyes. So familiar, calming.
She slowly leans in and places a kiss right at the corner of my mouth.
"Alex?"
"Yeah?"
"Kiss me."