"So, what would you usually do on a date?"
I started coughing violently as the coffee I was sipping lost its way and went to the wrong pipe because of his question.
He was looking at me with concern. "Are you ok?" He stood up and started patting my back.
"I'm ok. The coffee was a bit hot" I tried to look unaffected.
"Baby, it's a cold coffee" He was definitely stifling a laugh for my sake.
It had to be the most embarrassing moment of my life. You might think I'm exaggerating. Yeah, I wish.
"I was just making conversation. Don't take it the wrong way". He tried to explain.
"You ask personal questions to make conversation?"
"Sorry. I was just wondering. I feel like we have known each other for a long time". He said this with sincerity. I almost felt bad.
"Alright. Don't apologize. It's like we always keep saying sorry back and forth".
"Ok. So, back to the question. What do you do on your dates? What are the places you would visit? What activities do you like?"
So he might have just wanted to know the best date spots in this town. He might have asked someone out and wanted my advise. Thanks, dear brain. That didn't make me feel any better.
"I haven't been on any dates since I came here" I admitted.
"You have got to be kidding me. You don't date? Why aren't people lining up to ask you out?" He was really curious.
I stared at him like he grew two heads. He looked like he was genuinely surprised at my answer.
"Well. I don't know. I am a bit of workaholic. And you have seen my expertise in being so likeable. Come on! Not everyone is like you, probably going on dates on an hourly schedule."
"That's called stereotyping, Alex. To answer your questions, Yes, I am genuinely surprised. And no, I haven't been on a date either, it's complicated", he said looking down at his coffee.
Woah! Was he serious? I knew it. He was in jail, wasn't he? How else could you explain the lack of dates? But I kept that theory to myself.
"Really? Do you expect me to believe that? We have been here for 10 minutes and you have been already hit on by that waitress".
"Doesn't matter. I am not interested in her". He was looking at me with a strange expression. I didn't want to get my hopes up by trying to decipher some meaning out of looks like some expert.
Because let's face it, I couldn't predict the meaning of others' looks to save my life. Heck, I couldn't understand myself sometimes.
I was desperate for a topic change. "Nice coffee. How do you usually take your coffee? My most favorite is a latte with loads of whipped cream".
He smiled at my lame attempt to steer the conversation but didn't comment on that. "I like black coffee but I can get used to a latte too".
"Right. I don't know much about you. Are you from around here? What do you do for a living? Where are you staying now?"
He laughed at my series of questions. What can I say? I was born curious. Eventhough curiosity is believed to be a cat killer, it didn't discourage me to find out more about the man in front of me.
"Easy, tiger. I am not from around here. I am taking care of family business and I am staying at my condo at 11th street near the mall. You can come by anytime you want".
Wait, did he invite me to his house? That's 3 or 4 dates away, right? And this one didn't count. From what I have observed, he might not have even realized it could be interpreted that way.
He looked at me expectantly like he needed me to share something. I thought of answering the same questions.
"I am also here because of my job. I am working as a game developer at Dez. I am staying nearby the company. You can come by if you want. Um, when you are free. I can send you my location if needed". I have added the last part because he offered the same before.
"Really? I might take you up on that offer. How about this Sunday?"
I didn't expect things to be moving forward this fast. Was he coming to my house? I nodded with doubt but said "Sure".
He was smiling warmly and the waitress decided to come over and ask, "Do you need anything else?".
She was still sulking. Dean looked at me and I shook my head. He turned to the waitress. "No thanks. Check please".
Once she came back with the check, he grabbed it immediately before I could even react. Nice reflexes.
"At least let me share" I said and he looked at me like I asked him to kick a puppy.
"No, ba- Alex. It's my treat. I was the one who asked you".
"Fine. Next time I will pay". I realized that I said there would be a next time. "Uh, I mean, if we get dinner or something". Did I ask him on a dinner date? What was happening to me?
He voiced my thoughts. "Are you asking me out to dinner next time?"
"No. Yes. I don't know. Let's just say I want to thank you for the car incident and coffee".
"Sure, let's just say that". He was still smiling when we came to the parking lot.
"Thanks for the coffee. Do you want me to drop you off?" I looked around for his expensive car and couldn't find it.
He smirked and said, "No, today I didn't take my car. I felt adventurous so I took her". He pointed at something behind me.
"Her?" I turned around and I was not that surprised to see a motorcycle. I mean, look at him. Walking cliche, I know.
Let me tell you a little secret. I am a sucker for cliches.
A/N: Wow, a mysterious guy with a motorcycle? Not cliche at all.
But these things exist for a reason. Aren't we all suckers for a little cliche? :)
Also, this is the whole scene of the sneak peek from the description. Previously I had something from a furture chapter but I loved this, so I updated the description.
No need to be ashamed of what/whom we love and what we do, as long it doesn't hurt others. YOU do you! :)