Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 21003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
I return to my house and prepare for my date with Tom. All I know is he works at one of the pet stores as the manager and is in college. We’re both twenty-three. As I do my hair and makeup, I’m not looking forward to this date. My mind is on the grumpy man who hates Christmas. I peer around my bathroom, which even has pink and white holiday towels, and I know that he and I wouldn’t mix.
Finishing my prep, I’m just about to head out to the restaurant when I get a text from Tom, telling me he’s going to be running late. He needs another hour, if that’s okay with me. It’s only six, so it’s not too bad.
I reply.
Me: That’s cool.
Tom: Thanks. Can’t wait to meet you. I don’t respond because I can’t actually say I am excited for this date.
I set my phone down, and my stomach rumbles. Damn it, I really want some tacos, and now I have to wait. With my calorie budget tight, I skipped lunch and that was a big no-no because now I’m ravenous. The smell of my calorie-laden cookies wafts through the air, tempting me, but I snatch only one. I made them to share at work and enjoy over the holiday weeks. I lean against the dining room table and admire my décor. My entire home is normally white and navy blue with gray wood floors, but now that it’s Christmas time, I have it decked out in pink and white colors. I think of the little fairies and snow. There are also shades of silver and gold, but it’s perfectly blended with everything.
It’s getting later, and I finally decide to leave. I’ll probably arrive a few minutes late, but that’s okay.
When I get there, it’s not busy and I see a tall, slender man in a puffy vest like it’s not winter outside. “Hey, you’re Carrie, right?”
“Yes,” I answer. “Tom?”
“Yes, it’s great to meet you.” We shake hands, and then a woman approaches with menus.
“Welcome. Will you be dining in, or to go?”
“Dining in. Can we get a booth for two, please?” I ask.
“Of course, please follow me.” Tom waves his hand to let me go first. Our booth is near the window and near the pickup counter. We take off our coats and sit down. “Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“Water for now, but I’ll have a Coke Zero with my dinner.”
“A water, please.”
She nods and leaves the menus. “So, have you been here before?” I ask him.
“No, it’s new to me. You?” he asks, looking at the menu and not at me. I wonder if he’s just nervous or maybe he doesn’t normally make eye contact.
“Yes, it’s my favorite place.”
He lowers his menu and gives me a curious look. “You often bring dates here?”
I’m interested in defending myself, but he doesn’t know me any more than I know him. “I don’t date. This was Anne’s idea.”
“Yes, she’s really nice,” he says with an emotional gleam in his eyes. Then why doesn’t he date her?
“So what do you like to eat?”
“I prefer Italian food, but I suppose Mexican food will do.”
“I meant from here,” I bite out each word.
“Oh, sorry. It’s been a long day.”
“You were at work?”
“I thought the shirt was a dead giveaway.” Rude much? “I didn’t have time to change. Someone called off and I had to go in.”
“That’s terrible.”
“It really is. I need to find a better job.”
“Here are your drinks. Are you ready to order?” I look at him, and then he says, “Yes. I’ll have a steak fajita dinner.”
“I’ll have a chicken taco with everything.”
“Wonderful.” She takes our menus and then leaves us. What I don’t miss is the way his eyes linger on the server’s backside. I close my eyes and internally remind myself, I’m only here for dinner and I’m paying for my food, anyway.
“Anne says you’re in college. What are you studying?”
“A little bit of everything. I still haven’t figured things out.”
“Anything in the veterinary sciences?” I question. Maybe that’s why Anne thought we would be a good fit.
“God, no. I hate animals.”
“But you work at a pet store.” My voice jumps an octave at the absurdity.
“Chill. It’s just a job that I’m good at, and it pays the bills.”
“I suppose we all do jobs that aren’t our careers.”
A moment later they bring us our food, and it smells so good. “Thank you so much.” I dig in because I’m so starving. The food is delicious and gives us both a chance not to speak to each other. I’m loving it because he’s definitely not my type. Not that I have a type, but a man who doesn’t like animals and is rude is a double red flag. My mind goes to the other rude man who isn’t a good match for me, and yet I want to see him again.