Chapter 8
Alex
I was never this impulsive. Showing up at Mae's workplace was something that I would never do, but after last night I could stand it. I had to see her. I have never had a date that affected me so much. We had more fun in that short amount of time than I have had in years.
The girl was growing on me faster than I wanted to admit. But the thing is that I can't help but admit it. I wanted to spend every second that I could with her. Just hearing her voice telling me another story from her past or see her smile made my stomach flip flop.
Those are the reasons that I am with her now. We get into my car, and I drive us to Rosetta's diner. I wanted to spend time together in a place that we both felt comfortable. I didn't feel like I had to do anything special to impress her. She was the type of girl who wanted something of substance, not appearance.
As we walk in, I notice that Rosetta is standing in the back corner talking to some customers, so I take Mae by the hand and lead her to a table.
"You do know that as soon as she sees us that we are not going to be able to enjoy any time alone. She'll be watching like it is her personal soap opera." Mae says giggling.
"I may have talked to her already and told her not to do that," I say, peaking up from the menu.
"She called you earlier, didn't she?" The look on her face says that she already knows the answer.
"Yes, and she may have given me the push I needed to come and see you." I smile at her and wink.
"Sounds like her. She was so excited to see the flowers. I think we are like her new project or something. She has been after me for years to get out there and "find my man" as she calls it."Â Mae says this, doing the air quotes.
"Me too, but I told her I prefer women." Mae starts laughing, and I can tell that she is one of those people who find dad jokes funny.
"What can I get you two?" Rosetta says as she walks over with a grin on her face.
"I'll take my usual," Mae says. I wonder how often she eats here.
"I'll have mine as well," I say, smiling at the woman who wants nothing more than to have us married within the week.
"It will be coming right up." Rosetta walks off, and I can tell she is fighting the urge to turn around and watch us.
"It's killing her to not look back," Mae is trying hard not to laugh at our friend.
"Yeah, she is fighting pretty hard. So how often do you eat here? I haven't seen you when I'm here."
"Oh, a couple of times a week. I usually come around three in the afternoon. I work earlier hours, so I miss the rushes." She smiles at me, and I can't fight the smile that I give her back.
"So, Alex. What are we doing? IÂ need to know because my heart feels like it may burst at any moment." Mae says suddenly. Her cheeks are red, and she looks flushed like it took everything in her to ask that question.
"I know that for most people, one date isn't enough time to get to know a person. But yesterday was amazing, and I feel like I could tell you anything already. Mae, I want to give us a shot. I know it's fast, but I can't help but feel like you're the one I have been waiting on." I say all this and look in her eyes and see the same emotions running through her.
"Thank God you feel the same. I was ready to make a mad dash if you didn't. I don't do things like this. I don't date or have relationships, so I am out of my depth here." She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes.
"Do you mind if I ask what happened?" I know that I am prying into an area that she may not be comfortable sharing just yet.
"I was engaged to a man named Tanner about five years ago. We had dated a while, and then he popped the question. I thought that we were happy and that he was the one. I should have known better because you have already stirred up more in me in just one day than he did the entire time we were together." She stops and takes a sip of water.
"You don't have to..."
"No, I want to. I was already working for Rosetta at the time, so she and I were out looking for some supplies for a cake I was making. We walked by a restaurant, and Tanner was making out with some girl. Rosetta slapped him and the girl before I could even think straight. It turns out that Tanner had been cheating on me the entire time we were together."
To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. Mae was an amazing woman, and to think that a man was lucky enough to claim her as his and then to turn and do that is unbelievable. I take her hand in mine as a show of comfort.
"He said that I just wasn't enough for him. Even though I was a great girlfriend, I wasn't the best looking girl out there, and that these gorgeous girls were what filled the needs that he had."
"What a dick!" I burst out. I couldn't get the words out of my head. Mae was beautiful. "Don't think that his words are the truth. Mae, you're gorgeous. You are a natural beauty. You don't put all that crap on your face and you have a glow about you. It sounds like he wants someone who is fake."
"Well, I try to not focus on his words but I can't help but feel that way sometimes. I'm sure that since it ended he has spent his time with all the beautiful women he comes in contact with. Hopefully, he got an STI." She laughed at the end. I grab my glass and hand her hers.
"Here is to karma and STI's." We clink our glasses together and laugh.
Rosetta brings our food out and we dig in. We talk the whole time and I enjoy just spending time with her. She has a way of bringing out my playful side that is refreshing. I feel like a teenager again and I love it. I worked so hard in school to make sure I had good grades that I often forgot to have fun.
When we finish I grab the check to pay before she can get her hands on it. I laugh at her sulking face and walk up to the register. Rosetta is there waiting on me and she is smiling like it's her birthday and Christmas altogether.
"Nothing makes me happier than to see you two together. I would have never thought of setting you up myself but you two are perfect for each other." She says as she rings me up.
"I have to say that I think that you are right. I can't stop thinking about her and I have more fun with her than I have ever had. I'm going to do everything in my power to make her happy. I just have a huge desire to make her smile." I know that after saying that I am grinning the cheesiest grin ever, but I don't care. She is worth it.
As we leave I take her hand and lead her back to my car She smiles and leans into me and I feel complete. I feel like this is where I am supposed to be, and the way she acts leads me to believe that she feels the same. We get into the car and I don't start it right away.
"I really don't want tonight to end yet?" I say and look over at her. She smiles and it takes my breath away.
"Come over and watch a movie with me?" She asks and she seems a bit nervous.
"Yes, please. But can we stop by mine first and let me get something a little less suit like to wear?" She laughed and nods her head in reply.
"I hope you like horror movies because I have a new one and you are going to watch it with me." She says in all seriousness.
"Only if you let me have popcorn," I say and put on the serious negotiator face I have for work.
"Only if you let me have my starburst." She counters raising a brow. I stick out my hand to her.
"Deal." We say at the same time and shake on it.