𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 4

Chapter 4:

A Real Date

Jordan: Wanna get dinner?

Renee stared at her phone, eyebrows furrowing.

It wasn't unusual for Jordan to text her first. That had been happening a lot lately. But this? This wasn't the usual "You up?" or "Come over."

This was... different.

Renee: Like... actual dinner?

Jordan: No, I meant imaginary dinner. Obviously, actual dinner.

Renee smirked, shaking her head.

Renee: What's the catch?

Jordan: No catch. Just food. And drinks. And my stunning presence.

Renee hesitated.

They didn't do things like this. The closest they'd come to a "date" was sitting on Jordan's couch drinking beer in silence.

But this wasn't a hookup invitation.

It was just dinner.

Renee: Okay. When?

Jordan: Tonight. 8. I'll pick you up.

Renee bit her lip.

Renee: How do I know this isn't a ploy to get me naked later?

Jordan: It's not.

Renee: Uh-huh.

Jordan: ...Okay, maybe like 10%.

Renee laughed.

Renee: Fine. I'll go.

Jordan: Good choice. Wear something hot.

Renee: Why? You planning to fall in love with me?

Jordan: Lmao. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, babe.

Renee spent way too long picking out something to wear.

She hated that.

It wasn't a date. Not really. That's what she kept telling herself.

But as she stood in front of her mirror, trying on her third top, she had to admit—something about this felt different.

Eventually, she settled on ripped jeans and a black tank top. Casual. Not trying too hard. Not making a big deal out of it.

Even though, deep down, she kinda felt like it was a big deal.

At exactly 8:07, Jordan texted.

Jordan: Outside.

Renee grabbed her jacket and headed out.

Jordan was leaning against her car, looking effortlessly cool in a leather jacket over a plain white t-shirt, ripped jeans, and boots.

She looked good.

Renee swallowed. Fucking hell.

"Hey," Jordan said, giving her a once-over. "You clean up nice."

Renee rolled her eyes, ignoring the way her stomach flipped. "Shut up."

Jordan grinned. "Hop in."

Renee did.

As Jordan pulled onto the street, the silence stretched between them. Not awkward, but not as easy as usual either.

Jordan reached for the radio, flipping through stations. "What's your vibe? 90s rock? Classic R&B? Obnoxious pop?"

Renee smirked. "R&B, obviously."

Jordan laughed and settled on a station playing some R&B, ridiculously catchy song.

As they drove, Renee kept stealing glances at her. Jordan's fingers tapped against the steering wheel. Her jaw was sharp in the passing streetlights.

Fuck.

She hated how attractive she found her.

Jordan caught her staring. "What?"

"Nothing," Renee muttered, looking out the window.

Jordan smirked. "You checking me out?"

"No."

"You so were."

Renee crossed her arms. "Drive the damn car."

Jordan just chuckled.

They ended up at a dimly lit bar and grill, the kind of place that felt a little too nice to be just a casual hangout but not fancy enough to be full-on romantic.

Jordan pulled open the door, gesturing dramatically. "After you."

Renee rolled her eyes but stepped inside.

The place was busy but not packed. The hum of conversation filled the air, along with the scent of sizzling food and something vaguely citrusy.

Jordan led them to a booth in the corner, sliding in across from Renee.

A waitress came over, smiling. "Drinks to start?"

Jordan looked at Renee. "What're we thinking?"

"Whiskey sour."

Jordan raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Damn. Straight to the hard stuff?"

Renee smirked back. "What, you expecting me to order a fruity little cocktail?"

Jordan shrugged. "Would've been cute." She turned to the waitress. "She'll have a whiskey sour. I'll take a beer."

As the waitress walked away, Jordan leaned back, stretching an arm across the back of the booth. "So. This is weird."

Renee scoffed. "You asked me to come."

"I know. That's why it's weird." Jordan's lips twitched. "We don't do shit like this."

Renee exhaled, drumming her fingers against the table. "Yeah. Guess we don't."

For a second, neither of them said anything.

Then Jordan shrugged. "Fuck it. Might as well enjoy it."

Renee smirked. "What, hanging out with me? Oh, yeah. Such a struggle for you."

Jordan grinned. "Huge struggle."

The drinks arrived, and they ordered food—burgers, fries, nothing fancy.

And then, to Renee's surprise, the conversation... flowed.

It wasn't just flirting. It wasn't just teasing.

They talked.

About movies, about dumb things they'd done as kids, about the weirdest jobs they'd ever had.

Jordan told a story about getting fired from a coffee shop for throwing an entire drink at a rude customer.

Renee laughed so hard she nearly choked on her drink. "Holy shit. You're insane."

Jordan grinned. "No regrets."

At some point, Jordan leaned in slightly, resting her forearms on the table. "Okay, serious question."

Renee raised an eyebrow. "Oh god."

Jordan smirked. "Who's your favorite artist of all time?"

Renee exhaled dramatically. "Damn. That's tough."

Jordan nodded. "I know. That's why I asked."

Renee thought for a second. "Beyonce, or Frank Ocean."

Jordan's eyebrows lifted. "Solid choice."

Jordan studied her for a second. "You ever sing?"

Renee rolled her eyes. "I'm a singer, so yeah."

Jordan's eyes widened. "And you didn't think you should tell me?"

"I am telling you now"

"Bitch, I'll listen to your songs when I get home. I bet you sound hot."

Renee laughed, shaking her head. "You're ridiculous."

They finished eating, but neither of them made a move to leave.

Jordan ordered another round. Renee didn't argue.

They were still talking when Jordan reached across the table, stealing a fry off Renee's plate.

Renee narrowed her eyes. "Excuse you?"

Jordan smirked. "What? You weren't gonna finish them."

Renee swatted at her hand. "Get your own damn fries."

Jordan just laughed, popping it in her mouth. "Too late."

It was easy.

Natural.

And Renee hated how much she liked it.

They didn't leave until close to midnight.

Outside, the air was crisp, the streetlights casting a warm glow over the sidewalk.

Jordan shoved her hands in her jacket pockets, glancing at Renee. "So. That was fun."

Renee scoffed. "Shocking."

Jordan smirked. "You gonna admit you liked it?"

Renee shrugged. "It was... tolerable."

Jordan let out a dramatic gasp. "Wow. I'm touched."

Renee smirked. "Don't get used to it."

They reached Jordan's car.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Jordan's eyes flicked to Renee's lips.

Renee's breath hitched.

And just like that, the air between them shifted.

Jordan took a step closer.

Renee felt her heartbeat quicken.

Fuck.

She wanted to kiss her.

But if she did, she wasn't sure she'd be able to pretend this was nothing.

Jordan seemed to have the same thought.

She hesitated—just for a second—before smirking, stepping back. "Guess I should get you home."

Renee swallowed. "Yeah."

They got in the car.

As Jordan drove, the radio played softly. Neither of them spoke.

When Jordan pulled up to Renee's place, she tapped the steering wheel. "So. You gonna let me in?"

Renee's fingers curled around the door handle. She hesitated.

She wanted to.

But something in her gut told her that if she did, this wouldn't just be sex anymore.

And that scared the shit out of her.

She forced a smirk. "Not tonight, babe."

Jordan raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

No.

But Renee nodded anyway. "Yeah."

Jordan studied her for a second. Then, finally, she smirked. "Fine. Play hard to get."

Renee rolled her eyes. "Drive safe, asshole."

Jordan chuckled. "Always."

Renee shut the door and walked inside, heart pounding.

She had no idea what the fuck she was doing.

But one thing was clear.

This was no longer just a game.