Ryan
“So.” I cleared my throat. “How do you know Jules?”
“She’s seeing my brother.” Lola ran her index finger around the rim of the coffee mug. “They’re going on their first date this weekend.”
“Oh.” I drank my coffee and tried to figure out what was happening. This morning when I woke up, everything felt normal. I walked my dog, played hitman on my gaming console, and got ready for work—things I do every day.
Randomly meeting a woman and sitting at a coffee shop with her was not part of my routine.
“Tell me your assessment.” Lola leaned forward and rested her forearms on the table.
“Assessment? Oh, yeah, my assessment.” Why was every part of my body shaking? I’ve been with women before. This wasn’t new; being on a date. Well, technically, this wasn’t a date. I didn’t know what it was, but whatever it was, I wasn’t complaining.
“So?” She touched my forearm.
When her fingers touched my skin, I jumped. “So, what?” I turned my head to the side, confused. “Oh, wait, the assessment. Right.” I ran my hands through my hair. “Well, honestly, it’s been a while and I’m a bit rusty at this.”
“And by this, you mean me with you?”
“Exactly.” I leaned back in my seat. “You—” I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly— “are very different from anyone I have dated in the past. Not that I dated many women, but I have dated, and none of them were like you.”
“Ryan.” Lola reached forward and grabbed my hand. “Take a breath.” She smiled. “It’s just coffee. No pressure; even better, you don’t have to kiss me when we say goodbye. Unless you want to.” She winked.
“Right?” I glanced down at our hands. Her touch was causing my body to stir. “Um...” I pulled back my hand. “Right.” My phone vibrated letting me know I had ten minutes left until I needed to return to the market. “I should probably head back.”
“Oh, that was fast.” Lola hopped up so fast I thought she was leaving. Instead, she went over to talk to a barista. I still had half a mug of coffee but planned to leave it. Then she returned with two travel cups. “Here. You may need a pick me up later.”
“Thanks.” When I grabbed the cup and lid, my hand grazed over hers. It happened again. My body reacted. “Shit.”
“What’s wrong?” She poured her coffee into the cup. “Did something happen?”
I was standing in front of a beautiful woman and felt awkward. It had obviously been way too long since I had dated. “No, not at all.” I pushed the lid down on the cup. “This may be too forward, but what are you doing tonight?”
She flashed the biggest and brightest smile. “Absolutely nothing. Do you have something in mind?”
“Well, no, any ideas?” I almost suggested dinner, but something told me to do more than just dinner in a restaurant.
She placed her hand over her mouth like a thinking man and stared at me. “I’m getting a gaming vibe from you.”
“Maybe.” I laughed.
“Oh, wow.” She dropped her hands to her sides.
“What?”
“Your laugh is beautiful.” She took a step toward me. “Do you like to play video games, Ryan?”
“Uh, yes.” She was standing in my personal space, causing my mind to jumble up my thoughts. “How is my laugh and video games interconnected?”
“I want to hear you laugh a lot. Will video games do that for me?” She took another step forward.
“Potentially.” It depends on the game we play.
“Good. Then that’s what I want to do with you.” She placed her hand on my chest. “What do you think?”
I closed my eyes and lightly laughed. There was no way I would say no. “Yeah, sure. Do you have a console?”
“Me? No. I suck at playing games.” She stepped back finally and turned like she was ready to leave.
“Oh, now I’m confused.”
“Ryan, I want to hang out and hear you laugh again.” She walked toward the front door. “You can teach me how to play. I’ll bring the snacks.”
“Sure. I’m allergic to peanuts.” I’m unsure why I blurted out my allergy but it made me laugh again.
“Yup, we need more of that.” She pointed at me. “So much more.”
“Here.” I pulled out my phone. “Let me add you to my contacts.”
“Oh, true.” She stepped closer. “I almost forgot.” She grabbed my phone and entered her information. “Text me when you’re done at the market.”
“It will be sometime after seven.”
“Perfect.” She waved goodbye.
After six months in the small town, I was finally going on a date. Or, was it a date since Lola was coming to my house? Whatever it was, I found myself feeling excited. Lola was unlike anyone I had ever met, which made me want to know more about her.
AUTHOR NOTE:
An awkward gamer who has the most beautiful laugh. Sounds lovely to me. What will Lola bring for dinner? Takeout or will she make something, or keep it simple with snacks, she picks up at the store.