“I don’t know. The email didn’t say.”
“The mystery guy, of course. Ooh, I’m so excited about it. I can’t wait to know more.”
“Hmm yeah.” It was intrigue that hooked me in as well. That’s why I ended up saying yes.
“So, anyway.” She twists my hair up in her hands. “I think he might be the one.”
“The one?” I scoff. “What do you mean ‘the one’?”
“Well, I don’t mean like the guy you are going to marry, I just mean the one to get you back on the dating horse. The one to make you feel good again, to drag you out of this rut.”
“What if he’s a serial killer?” I panic. “What if I end up murdered and that’s why he was so weird?”
“Hayley wouldn’t let you get murdered. You know that much. Plus, he’s taking you to The Trattoria. That’s a super posh place, serial killers don’t take you out for expensive food first.
“How the hell do you know that?” I half laugh.
“Because what would be the point, if you’re going to die anyway?”
I roll my eyes, choosing to ignore that. I’m not about to get into a debate about serial killers with Luci right now. It won’t exactly put me in the mood for romance. I need to get my head in the game.
“Anyway, are you sure I look okay? This dress isn’t a bit much?”
“No, you look hot. Really hot. I want to go on a date with you, you look that good.”
I twist my body from side to side, wishing I could see what she saw. To me I just look a bit silly. My hair is all curled and spilling down my back, my make-up is a little heavier than I thought it would be, my dress is tight and shows off a bit too much cleavage, but it’s too late to change now.
“I’m going to have to go,” I say with a shaky voice. “I need to get there. I don’t want to be late.”
“Do you want me to walk you there?”
I shake my head. I need some time to myself first. “No, I’ll be okay. Just be on the other end of the line in case I need the emergency call to get me out of there.”
“Just make sure you’re there this time. Don’t mess it up again.”
“Yeah… I won’t.”
“I still don’t get why you were in the bathroom for so long. Even if he was a bore…”
“Yeah, I need to get going.” I shut her down sharply. “I will speak to you soon, okay?”
“Let me know how you get on. I want all the details about mystery man.”
Her words really freak me out. I know that if I don’t leave now, I won’t. I’ll talk myself out of it. So, I say my goodbye and I make myself leave, separating with her at the end of her road so she can go back to her place. I walk towards the restaurant, glad that I decided to make this journey alone. I could have been picked up but I need a head clearing moment. To get myself back into a place I didn’t think I would be again. On a date.
What am I doing? How did I manage to let myself get into this situation?
All I know for sure is that this date better be much more fun than the last one. The closer I get to The Trattoria the more determined I become to make this a good night. Whatever happens. And I won’t stick it out for a long time if it sucks again. I will make my excuses and leave. I’m stronger now. A better version of me.
“Okay,” I mutter quietly to myself as I stare at the building. “Here we are.”
This is the sort of place that I walk pass all the time, but I would never even consider going inside. Mostly because of the price, but also because I don’t feel like I belong. I get that feeling right now, and if it wasn’t such a mystery who might be waiting inside, I would probably turn around a leave.
It takes a couple of deep breaths and a moment of panic, but I finally get my legs walking and I head inside. The smell hits me first, a posh smell of very rich food. Then the dark yet subtle light washes over me, this time making me feel like a princess. It’s nice, I’m excited. I like it.
I ask the waiter to take me to the table booked under Hayley’s name and I walk behind him with my heart racing. Any minute now I will see who this mystery man is and until I lay my eyes on him, he could be anyone in the world. The possibilities are endless…
“Here we are, Ma’am.” The waiter steps to one side and shows me my table. I can sense a shadow there. My date is already here, I’m the second one. That’s good and bad all at once.