I left work in plenty of time to meet this mysterious man. Upon arriving at the restaurant, it occurred to me that maybe I should have gone home to change first.
This isn't a date, I reminded myself. I wasn't in the mental headspace to be dating, even if I wanted to be. I took a seat at an empty table while I waited for him to arrive.
I see a man coming to my table about ten minutes after I arrived. I find myself studying this man, who is at least 37 years old. Maybe a little older. He has blue-green eyes, dark brown hair that lays down in the front, and big soft pouty lips. He is at least ten years older than me and not normally my type. Still, it's nice to have someone to keep my mind off Amy for once. "So nice to meet you, Andrea Harrison, " he says, staring at me with those beautiful eyes.
"How did you know it was me? " I asked, feeling overdressed in my black work pants and red dress shirt. All of my clothes were markdowns from Dillard's mixed in with Goodwill finds and whatever I mixed in from Target. But compared to his jeans and black Nirvana tee shirt, I looked overly dressed. "Negan showed me a picture. I hope that's okay, " he said, looking over the menu. I feel myself getting caught up in the moment. I hear "With or without you" playing, I smell pizza and see happy couples, eating and drinking together. Somehow, this non-date feels like a date. "I mean, this situation is a bit uncomfortable for me. But my boss has been pretty decent after my car accident. He gave me extra time off work, collected money to help pay for my hospital bills, and his wife even brought over groceries. He wanted me to go to this charity event with you, so I will. " I said, hoping to make it feel less like a date.
"Negan and his wife are good people. I'm sorry to make you feel uncomfortable. I honestly don't know anyone else I could take. I'm pretty new in the area. But if going with me would be too awkward, I understand. No hard feelings if you don't want to go. " he said before ordering them a pepperoni pizza with two beers. I find it odd; he happened to order one of my favorites without asking. Almost everyone likes pepperoni pizza, I think.
"Honestly, it would be better for me if we just went together next Friday. My boss expects to see me there, and I don't have five hundred dollars to buy a ticket. Plus, going alone would be awful, I said, taking a sip of the beer. "You never know, you might actually have a good time, " he said, smiling at her with his blue-green eyes. "Maybe, " I said, attempting to smile. The waitress arrived with the pizza quicker than expected. The quietness gave him an opportunity to look her up and down from a closer view. He saw her pretty face, light blue eyes, tan skin, blonde curly hair that she had pulled up in a ponytail, and he noticed how her clothes fit perfectly to her body. He also picked up on the sadness in her eyes. She didn't seem to be too hard to read. "I love the Nirvana shirt, by the way, " I said, pointing to his shirt. His staring had gotten slightly uncomfortable for me, and I needed to say something. "One day, I'll let you sleep in it, " he said, smiling completely too hard. "You move fast, " I said, feeling myself blush.
I should get up and leave. I know his comment is inappropriate as much as he does. But for some reason I stay.
"Only teasing you, " he replies, feeling her tension. "Good because I want to keep this relationship completely professional, " I say, taking a bite of pizza. I only eat about two slices, and he has three. There are four slices left, and I stare at them. "I understand. I just enjoy your company, " he says, knowing that she was about to leave now.
"No problem. Should we get a to-go box for this? " I said, knowing I should get going. It's an early workday, and I'd like to do my cardio workout at the gym. I needed a workout after all that pizza.
He notices her staring at the food, and it doesn't take long for him to figure out that the main reason she came was for the free meal. She is probably struggling to buy enough groceries, he reasons.
"You can take it. My chef can actually make food way better than this anyways, " he says, peaking her interest.
"You have your own chef? " I knew Negan and his friends are very wealthy, but I guess I underestimated how much they actually have.
"Yes, I do. He could cook you anything you want if you came over. I also have a swimming pool, bowling alley, gym, movie theater, and a really big backyard, " he says, bragging. "I like really big backyards. When should I come over? " I said, actually curious about his house.
"I have to deliver a baby tomorrow morning. Then regular check-ups for the next couple of days. But I am free most evenings. So what day would work for you? " he says, looking her straight in the eyes.
"Thursday, " I said finally.
"I'll see you then, " he says, leaning in close enough for me to smell his vanilla-scented Old Spice.
I hear "Delicate" by Taylor Swift playing in the background, and I want him to kiss me so bad in this moment. I even move closer, trying to make it easier for him. He doesn't kiss me, though. Instead, he gets up from the table and walks me to my Mustang. I do feel his hand touch my shoulders for a moment, causing my skin to burn.
"Thank you for dinner. I had a nice time, " I said softly. "Goodbye, Andrea. I'll look forward to seeing you again, " he says, putting his hand on my face.
He removed his hand slowly and walked towards his red Tesla. My skin burned again from his touch.
I sat in my Mustang watching him drive off. Why did I complain to Negan about introducing me to him? He is well-attended, attractive, and obviously has more money than I'd ever see in my life.
Maybe I am just attracted to the money? I told myself I wasn't going to start anything with this man but here I am acting like a silly teenager. I start the car and Delicate is playing again on the radio. I suddenly remembered watching the Summer I Turned Pretty with Amy. This song was playing when Jeremiah and Belly jumped in the pool. I've seen too many movies, I decided. I slowly go inside my apartment and get dressed for bed. I decided to watch the Summer I Turned Pretty for a few hours first. Watching the show, I get my phone to see if Philip has texted or called. He hasn't and I didn't want to text him first.