You’ve got my attention, Joseph. What makes you the freak I should choose?
It doesn’t take long for him to reply:
Because I’m the kind of guy who sees ‘free holiday’ and thinks, ‘there must be a catch’. And I’m not afraid to find out.
Another laugh escapes me. He’s definitely intriguing, I’ll give him that. I hesitate for only a moment before firing back:
How about we discuss it over a drink? Tonight.
He agrees without hesitation, suggesting a bar in town.
Joseph seems like the right balance, between wild and normal, the kind I can work with. After all, I want someone who can cause trouble, but not someone who will cut me up into a million little pieces.
On Matcher, you just never know if you’re going to meet Magic Mike or Michael Myers.
14
I’m not sure how much a girl can expect to get out of a date with a man who is only in it for a free holiday… and yet here I am. I suppose, usually on dates, everyone is desperate for something. At least we’re being ‘cards on the table’ honest about our motives, and maybe that’s a good start? Who knows? Like I said, I’m here.
And so is Joseph, which is the first good sign. The second is that he looks exactly like his photos. He’s cute, with messy blonde hair, and he’s as tall as his pictures made him look which is rarer than you might think. It always baffles me, when men actively trick you into thinking they’re much taller than they are, because the rationale is clearly something along the lines of: if they can just get you through the door, they can sell you anything.
The only thing I am not expecting is his outfit. Specifically his Spider-Man shirt. I mean, it’s fun, I guess, in a geeky way. It’s very loud and bright, like something an eight-year-old might wear to go to a restaurant with their parents. Child formal – and yet adult-sized.
‘Lana, hello,’ he says excitedly, offering me a hand to shake.
Interesting choice. Not many men start a date with a handshake.
All I can do is go with it so I reach out my hand, only for him to quickly whip his away, put his thumb to his nose, and wiggle his fingers.
‘Ayy, I got you,’ he says with a laugh.
‘Erm, yeah, you did,’ I say with a polite laugh, wondering if I’m in some sort ofBigsituation, because seriously?
This is going to be a long night.
We find a table for two and take a seat. I can’t help but notice that Joseph seems to be looking around for something.
‘Is everything okay?’ I ask.
‘Yeah – you’re going to like this,’ he says, leaning in slightly. ‘I told them it’s your birthday.’
‘You did?’ I reply.
‘Yeah, but not just that,’ he continues. ‘I told them you were eighty.’
‘You…?’
‘They’re bringing you a cake,’ he tells me, pleased with himself.
I don’t even know what to say right now.
‘Well, who doesn’t love cake?’ I eventually reply.
‘You’re welcome,’ he replies with a wink. ‘And I ordered us a couple of cocktails. They’re on their way.’
Joseph seems like… I don’t know. Like there’s a lot going on, but it all just feels off. I can’t put my finger on it.
Sure enough, a waiter arrives and places two cocktails down in front of us.
