“Interning at a law firm,” he replied, not even having enough decency to look up from his phone.
“Oh, that’s interesting.” He must work with Charlotte, which made sense. Did he even know how to carry a conversation? His nose was too deep in his phone to allow any interaction. This was going to be a long night, and she would hear about it after.
The moment our food touched the table I shoveled it in, eager to escape the awkwardness of the date. Charlotte had told me I should at least give him a chance, but there seemed to be no connection between us. I was about to push away from the table in defeat when he smiled at Charlotte and handed the waiter his card to pay the bill. That smile was for her - not for me.
“Thanks for letting me take you out tonight. It was nice getting to know you.”
He stared at his phone, not even looking up when he spoke. I felt like he wasn't interested in getting to know me, and I could feel the conversation lulling into a deafening silence. He didn't even bother to ask me a single question, and I wished I had just stayed home, put on my slippers, and eaten dinner in peace.
The waitress returned, eyebrows furrowed, and leaned in close. “Sir, I’m sorry, but your card was declined.” Heat rose to my cheeks as I sunk lower in my seat. I wanted to laugh out loud at how ridiculous this situation was—being set up with this man by Charlotte, of all people.
“I have money on there. I don’t understand why it would be declined,” he said, his face growing redder by the second. His jaw tensed.
“No worries; let me just pay for it. I’m exhausted and have to be up early for work tomorrow.” I fumbled in my wallet and handed her my debit card. I scrawled my signature on the paper as she handed me a copy of the receipt.
“I’m so sorry about that. I don’t understand. I’ll have to call my bank tomorrow. Could I take you out again?” he asked, his eyes pleading with mine as he stood there, hands shoved into his pockets.
He hadn’t said much the entire night, then his card was declined at the restaurant, and he still had the nerve to ask me out again? I shook my head slightly. “I’m going to head home now. Thanks for tonight,” before turning away and walking off into the night.
The moment I stepped through my front door, I grabbed the phone, dialed Charlotte's number, and waited, my foot tapping in an anxious rhythm. When she answered, I didn't mince words. "It was a complete waste of my night," I said. "What made you think we'd be compatible? I don't get it."
"He's a really good guy," she said. "At least that's what I've heard."
I rolled my eyes and flopped onto the couch. "Right..."
She sighed on her side.
“Let me tell you now, no more setups! That date was an absolute disaster. Michael just spent the whole time glued to his phone. He couldn't keep up a conversation and then, after he had ordered enough to bankrupt a small country, his card was declined. I had to pay for the whole thing. And then he had the nerve to suggest another date! I was so tempted to laugh right in his face, but somehow I managed to hold it in.”
“Oh, honey, wow. I can’t believe I was so wrong about him. I’ve been working alongside him for weeks now, ever since he mentioned wanting to find a nice girl. I thought of you immediately.”
My heart sank as my friend’s words echoed in my head. “Well, no more blind dates for this girl," I said firmly before ending the call.
I slowly poured myself a glass of red wine, and set it down on the bathroom counter. I started to fill the tub with hot water, letting myself slip into a dreamy state as my mind wandered back to Alexander. His eyes had been so full of life, and his smile was so genuine when he asked me out on a date earlier that day. Usually, I would’ve felt butterflies in my stomach, but something inside me kept holding back-- was it fear? He was so different from me—traveling around the world without a care in the world, living lavishly. It all just seemed too good to be true. I tried to find some way for it all to work out in my head, but nothing seemed to fit quite right.
Every day, it was the same. When I arrived at work, I'd get my assignment list and check it out one by one until I reached the last name on the list: his. A feeling of dread settled into my chest. Why does Mary keep assigning me to him? Is it intentional?
"Housekeeping."
He opened the door. “Come on in. The trash is full, and the bed needs to be made.”
I started making his bed, but all he did was stare at me.
“Ella, I really want to take you out. Why won’t you let me?”
I studied his face, searching for sincerity. He traveled the world for his job, and I wasn’t sure if I could build a relationship with someone who was never home. “I’m not interested in dating someone I’d never see. You yourself said you travel constantly,” I said.
He shifted his weight from one foot to the other and sighed. “Give me a chance at least. If you don’t enjoy our date, then at least you gave me a shot, and I won’t ask again.”
I hesitated for a few moments, weighing my options.
Wow, he was being very persistent. He wasn’t going to stop pushing.
“You want to know the real reason? It’s because men like you don’t end up with girls like me.”
“What do you mean? Men like me? Money shouldn’t have anything to do with it. You’re a beautiful woman, and I want to take you out.”
I was so confused. Looking at Alexander, it was so hard to say no. Maybe I should just give in. He could be different than everyone else.