Chapter 65

Chapter 65 – Linda Linda This date is a disaster, and I regret putting so much effort into my outfit before leaving my house.

I curled my hair. It’s coming down in blonde waves, and I matched it with a black dress, which is rare. I never wear dresses but wanted to look nice for my birthday. Which I do.

I look good.

But the man I’m sitting across?

I want to escape from him.

I’m at the Plaza Hotel with a man named David, and perhaps my job as a therapist has ruined me for men. I won’t settle for someone who doesn’t treat me like an equal. Which means this date is a letdown. David came here fully prepared to fuck me on the first date.

My best friend, Carmen, said I must lower my expectations. I’m turning thirty today, and the dating market isn’t what it used to be. But I never thought chivalry was dead until now.

“I brought condoms,” David says from the other side of the table and shoots me what he must think is a charming smile. We haven’t even ordered yet, and the guy is already unbearable.

“Oh, I see…” I say and look down at the menu.

“Big condoms.” David feels the need to add.

is A shudder sweeps down my spine. I don’t understand if David is joking or if he serious. Regardless, I wish I was anywhere else but here right now. He is creeping me out.

Still, I plaster on a smile. “I see…”

“Are you a brave girl?”

“Umm…” I can’t help but breathe a laugh and look up from my menu this time. ”

Excuse me?”

Davin wags his eyebrows at me. He isn’t the best-looking guy, but what can you expect at thirty?

Everyone good is taken.

“In bed, I mean,” David says.

Jesus Christ!

Anger rises to my chest. “That’s very inappropriate to ask, especially since this is our first date, David.”

He groans in his seat, throwing his head back in exasperation. “Oh fuck, you’re one of those!”

“One of… what?” I’m so damn confused right now.

His smirks come back. “A feminazi.’

Did he just say what I think he did?!

I swear I’m already teary-eyed. Not because I’m very sensitive, but today is my birthday, and David is an asshole. When we chatted on the dating app, he was a gentleman, but now he is just pure disgusting.

“I can assure you that I’m not a feminazi, whatever that is. I’m a feminist and all for equality, but that other word? Not me.

“Sure, honey…” David rolls his eyes, and then he laughs. His behavior baffles me, and I stare at him.

“Are you serious right now?” I ask, expecting him to tell me he is pranking me any moment now. He is acting like a dick.

But he never does. He leans back in his chair and looks all sorts of self- righteous.

“Why wouldn’t I be serious?” He rakes me up and down, laughing at whatever he finds. “Look, I just came here to have a good time, but if you’re going to be acting like a bitch from the start, then I don’t know if I should stay. Perhaps we just don’t match?”

My heart stops. Even though David is a jerk, hearing him say we might not be a match hurts. I can’t believe he is ditching me on my birthday… wow. This is just… wow. I lack other words.

“You… you want to leave?”

“Yeah, sure, why not? There are more interesting people to date. No offense, but you’re too much of a prude for me. You have a stick up your butt. So this won’t work.”

David gets up from his seat, and the tears run down my cheek. I didn’t think the date could get any worse, but it just did. I’m officially ditched by the man I found too terrible to date.

My chest constricts, and I blink multiple times to hold back the tears, but it isn’t working. This is the worst birthday ever, and I miss Robert, my ex-husband, more than ever. He passed away two years ago, almost three, and I will never find someone new-

“Sorry, I’m late.”

I look up and laugh in utter bewilderment when I see Mark, a client of mine, dragging out the chair where David just sat. What is he doing here?! Am!

I dreaming?

For a moment, I can just stare at him. He is dressed in a suit that can barely contain his broad shoulders, and his black hair is newly trimmed, shorter on the sides and longer on top.

Needless to say, Mark is beautiful. Not perfect. He has scars, and it looks like his nose has been broken at some point. But he has the bluest eyes and this radiant smile that makes me melt on the inside… shit, why does he have to be so pretty?!

Somehow, I manage words. “Did you come to rescue me?”

“Yes, I’m your prince in shining,” he looks down at himself.

Suit… is that okay?”

Oh, he is sweet.

“I appreciate it, but what about Winnie?

You had a date with her.”

“Winnie isn’t for me.”

I arch an eyebrow. “This morning, you were in love with her.”

“Nah, it was more like a one-sided crush, ” he laughs, clearly not taking offense to liking a girl who doesn’t like him back. ” Right now, I’m more interested in the gorgeous woman sitting in front of me.”

I snort. “Flattery, huh?”

“Is it working?”

He smiles wider, and I roll my eyes. “I really don’t think you and I should be dating. No offense, but you’re… young and might be looking for something different,”

“Oh, so I can’t be serious because I’m younger? Is that it?” Mark sighs at me, pretending he is hurt. “I believe you said steak since I’ve never had one.”

“What if you don’t like it?”

I grin. “Then I will steal from your food.”

His mouth twitches as if fighting a smile. “Who said anything about me sharing my food? Order whatever you want, but don’t take from my plate.”

“What if I ask, please?” I give him my puppy eyes. It might not work anymore since I’m no longer a kid, but you got to try.

“Damn, you giving me some eyes.

I flutter my eyelashes. “Yes.”

Mark sighs, but he is just pretending to be irritated. “Alright, I can’t say no to your eyes… what should I order then? A steak with fries?”

Fries aren’t on the menu, but I’m sure you could ask for them, and I clap my hands together. Beaming at him. “Perfect!

Mark snorts. “Are you sure you’re older than me? You look like a kid on Christmas day right now.”

“Well, I’m happy!”

“Good,” he smiles. “I’m glad your birthday isn’t ruined.”

I laugh and decide to just go with a normal steak. Mark orders the same, and we discuss the excellent taste as we eat.

The conversation then moves on to different food.

It ends up being a lovely evening. We drink by the bar and talk about hockey and the weird people I’ve met on dating apps. Then, all of a sudden, it’s late at night, and the hotel’s bar is closing.

“It’s cold outside,” I tell Mark when we leave the hotel. It’s not even dark anymore. The sun is rising in the early morning. Everything is perfect, and I don’t want to go home alone.

Silly, right?

I should just be happy Mark willingly spent time with me on my birthday since my date ditched me. He is a good… friend. Because that’s the only thing he will ever “Yeah, it’s chillier in the morning,” Mark rubs his hands together, then looks at me. “Do you have a long way home?”

“I do, but I’m just going to grab a cab and hopefully not fall asleep inside of it or something.”

Mark thoughtfully nods. “Or… you could stay at the hotel?” He holds up his hands in mock surrender, laughing. “Then you can just fall asleep right away. I even pay for it.”

“Oh… I don’t know… alone in a hotel room? Geez… it would be nice but scary. I haven’t stayed at a hotel since Robert…” The words die in my throat, and misery grasps me. Damn it. I mentioned him again.

To my surprise, Mark doesn’t look angry. Many people have told me I talk too much about my ex-

husband, but Mark seems sad.

“Oh, I didn’t realize…” he shrugs. “Well, do you want me to stay as well? We could continue talking in a hotel room.”

I would love to talk to him more, actually…

I wet my lips, squinting funnily. “No funny business?” I doubt he is attracted to me. I’m just teasing.

“No funny business,” Mark confirms. ”

Just you and I and a late-nigh about it?”

“I would love that.”

talk… how