“I know. But I want to. Every time I see you, I feel things I’ve never felt. This is going to sound crazy but I believe in fate. To meet at the bar and then see you at the hospital and then again today. I don’t think it’s coincidence.”
My heart speeds up at the same time as it sinks. Despite being outside, I suddenly feel like I can’t get enough air. My face feels like it’s on fire when he moves closer and takes my hand. His eyes are too intense and in them I see all the expectations and dreams that are more dangerous to me than any drug. It would be so easy to get wrapped up in the fantasy and let myself hope that for once, everything will work out perfectly.
Why did he have to appear in my life now? It hurts more to find someone amazing when you already know it can’t last.
“This is too much. I can see in your eyes that it’s too much. But all I’m asking for is a chance to spend more time with the girl I met in that bar. She was real. She was funny. And talking to her was the most fun I’ve ever had.”
“Okay but I get to pick the restaurant.”
The words come out before I even realize what I’m going to say. He squeezes my hand like he knows what I’m thinking.
“That’s fine. I’m sure you know this city better than I do.”
The triumphant look on his face says he thinks he’s gotten one up on me. That he’s finally scored a point. Which only proves how little he really knows. Because the more he makes me want him, the more determined I am to show him it’s a bad idea.
“Meet me at Wilbur’s tonight at eight o’clock.”
“Fantastic. How should I dress? Suit? Jeans?”
This is almost too easy. “A suit for sure. It’s the hottest reservation in the city. I know the owner so I can get us in.”
He looks impressed. “Great. I’ll see you there.”
“I can’t wait.”
That night I don’t bother putting on makeup or a cute outfit. Vin wants the real me so he’s going to get the real me. The night we met I was a little depressed and all out of fucks. What he got that night was the unrefined, uncut version of Ariana that usually works to keep people away.
Didn’t work on him though, did it?
No, nothing about my mystery man from the bar has been the usual.
My phone dings with another calendar appointment.
Tomorrow: Doctor’s appointment 10 a.m.
Location: Northern Virginia Oncology Partners
With a groan, I swipe it away so it disappears from the screen. The reminders are necessary but they are a serious buzzkill.
God, I’m not in the mood for this date. Especially since I know it’s not going to end in the hot sex that would at least make me feel better before being poked and prodded tomorrow.
I feel a momentary pang that Vin couldn’t just be like all the rest. If he’d been happy with one night, at least I would get to have the memory of being with him to keep me warm on future cold nights.
But he had to give that absolutely dreamy speech earlier about fate and wanting the real me. Well, it’s doubtful he’ll feel that way after tonight.
Wilbur’s is this awesome barbecue place that has a huge pig on the sign outside. The guy probably wears silk boxers to bed. I doubt he’s ready to chow down on barbecue and get sauce all over his face.
It’s almost time to leave. I open my closet and pull out the finishing touch for my outfit. Wait until he gets his first look at just how crazy I can get. Imagining Vin’s reaction is totally worth going on this date.
Washington DC is similar to most big cities in that space is at a premium. Women traveling alone are at particular risk for guys who use it as an excuse to get too close.
After one too many accidental ass-grabs on the metro, I devised a system to gain myself some space. It’s amazing how hard people will work to stay away if you seem strange enough. My little accessory keeps anyone from getting too close. But tonight it has a different purpose.
This is the final nail in the scare-him-away coffin.
Once Vin gets a full serving of Ariana Unplugged, he’ll probably leave skid marks behind as he runs away.
Oreo pads into the room and then hops up on the end of my bed. Now that Mya’s back to spending all her time at Milo’s place, I’m sure she’s feeling a little lonely.