Olly
“You...” Jules had opened the front door as I was walking up the steps. I stopped on the middle step. “You, um…”
Her hands brushed over the fabric on her arm and over her stomach. “Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all.” I finished walking up the steps and stopped a few inches from where she was standing. “You look…beautiful.”
She dropped her head. “Yeah?” When she lifted her head, she was smiling. “I almost wore a dress.”
“A dress, huh.” I reached out and grabbed her hand. “I’m not a dress kind of guy.”
“So your sister was right.” She laced her fingers with mine.
“My sister?” Now I felt confused.
“She was at the market a few days ago.”
“And she told you not to wear a dress?”
“She overhead a conversation between Stacy and me.” She let go of my hand and adjusted her purse strap on her shoulder. “Plus, I didn’t know where we were going. Jeans and top felt like a safer option.”
“Oh, about tonight.” I turned to head back down the steps. “A couple towns over, they have two more days left with their county fair.” I reached the landing and waited for Jules. “How does dinner and the fair sound?”
“Even better.” She reached the bottom step. “What about dinner at the fair?”
“Are you okay with eating fair food on our first date?” Most women I’ve dated never seemed excited to eat particular foods on our first couple of dates.
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?” She scowled like she was confused.
“Elephant ears with cherry pie filling.”
“Yes, please.” She laughed.
“Greasy, hot french fries in a cup with malt vinegar.”
“Can we get two cups so I can have my own?” She turned her head to the side.
“You know what?” I placed my hand in the middle of her back and headed toward the car. “I think dinner at the fair is the perfect way to spend our evening.”
“Right?” She slid into the passenger seat. “Oh, and we must grab some cotton candy before heading home.”
My hand was on the top of the door about to close it for Jules. “How did I get so lucky?”
“About what?” She smiled.
I closed the door and walked around the front of the car to the driver’s side. “You.” I closed the door and turned to face her. “You’re not like most women I’ve met.”
“And that’s a good thing, right?” She turned in her seat.
“It’s a warm welcome.” I hit the button to start the engine. “Plus, a little ketchup on our face never hurt anyone.”
“Wait, who said anything about ketchup.” She shook her head vigorously.
“I’m sorry.” I put the car in drive but kept my foot on the brake.
“Ketchup. I don’t touch that, that—” she closed her eyes and shook her head again— “stuff.”
“Oh, okay.” I wasn’t trying to be rude by laughing, but her reaction to the word ketchup was hilarious. “And why’s that? What do you have against the red stuff?”
“It’s the devil’s condiment and should be banned.” She shrugged and leaned back in the seat.
“Well, I’m glad we got that out of the way.” I chuckled and took my foot off the brake. “Now, I know what not to grab for a condiment tonight.”
Her head rested against the seat, and her eyes were closed. I had to turn left so I couldn’t see her face. There was a sound like she was laughing, but it was very quiet. As I made the turn, the laugh became louder.
“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” She struggled to contain her laugh.
“Crazy? No.” I glanced in her direction. “You know what you like, and what you…”
“Hate.” She finished my sentence.”
“Right, hate.”
“What is something you hate?”
It took me a moment to think of something. I wasn’t picky when it came to food. “I’m not a fan of vinegar-based barbecue sauce, but I don’t hate it.”
“Oh, same.” She cleared her throat. “Let’s check on something important before you go further.”
“Should I pull over for this question?” I put my hand on the turn signal.
“No.” She reached over and wrapped her hands around my bicep. “I’m teasing. Don’t stop.”
I kept my hand in place. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, Olly. Just keep driving.” She was in fits of giggles again. “But tell me your thoughts on mayo.”
“Will it change your thoughts on me or this date?” I removed my hand from the turn signal and she let go of my arm.
“No.” She cleared her throat. “Maybe.”
“Wow.” I was laughing again. “You have serious feelings about condiments.”
“It’s a bit much, isn’t it?” She leaned back in her seat and dropped her head into her hands.
“No, just funny.” I reached over and placed my hand on her thigh. “Sorry.” I quickly removed my hand and put it back on the steering wheel.
“Don’t be sorry.” She smiled and rubbed her hands up and down her thighs.
There was an awkward silence for a few minutes.
It’s funny, when I met Jules, I never expected to be going on a date. Hell, taking her to my mom’s house to make homemade tortillas was furthest from my mind.
Tonight, at this moment, all I could think about was how happy I was that Stacy introduced us.
We laughed a lot every time we were together, which was only a handful of times. I couldn’t wait to learn more about Jules. I couldn’t wait for what happened next if things were already this fun.
AUTHOR NOTE:
Now, I’m craving some greasy, delicious fair food. Their condiment conversation was hilarious. I guess they’re heading to the fair. Which ride or game should enjoy first?