“But?”
“You saw him!” I said. “I’d be an idiot to mess it up with him.”
“He is handsome,” Leo admitted. “But he’s not exactly my type.”
“Okay, put it this way: just imagine you went on a blind date, and she was the prettiest girl in the world. You’d be the same way, wouldn’t you?”
Leo shrugged, looking down at his drink.
“The issue is,” I said, gathering my composure, “if we hang out again, there’s a risk of it being excruciatingly awkward. Things were only bearable after you showed up.”
“That’s easy,” Leo said. “Just invite me.”
I looked at him.
His smile faded. “I was kidding,” he said. “I can’t third-wheel your date. At least, not again.”
When I didn’t reply, he added, “Didn’t you say you were thinking of having dinner with him? How’s that going to look, the two of you gazing into each other’s eyes, and I’m just there?”
“It’ll be fine,” I said. “It’ll be perfect. See, when we were by ourselves, I was quiet because Atticus intimidated me, and he was quiet because I think that’s just his personality. If you’re there, everyone will be more relaxed. And you can be my wingman! You can make me look good in front of Atticus.”
“You said I was flattering you when I tried to compliment you before.”
“Because I was embarrassed, but maybe you can subtly make me look good.”
“I still don’t think third wheeling a date is a good idea —”
“It can be a double date.” I shot up in my seat like I’d been physically struck with inspiration. “I’ll ask Atticus if he has a female friend, and then the four of us can hang out, and it’ll be way more relaxed and laid back.”
“I’m really not looking for a girlfriend at the moment,” Leo said.
“Okay, but there’s no harm in having dinner, right? It’s not like you’ll have to marry her.”
He tilted his head as he thought about it.
I reached for his hands. “Please, Leo? Please? It’ll be fun, I promise, and I’ll pay for your meal, and this will be the only time.”
“The only time?”
“Yeah, all I need is one more dinner to properly get to know Atticus. Afterwards, we’ll know each other well enough to hang out without feeling awkward.” I clutched his hands with more urgency. “Please, Leo. I need your magical charisma powers.”
He was quiet for a few seconds. “Alright. I can’t say no to a free dinner.”
“Thank you!” I squeezed his hands and let go. “I’ll let you know the details after I organise it with Atticus. If I end up with a boyfriend, you can have the satisfaction of knowing it was all thanks to you.”
6
That evening, I texted Atticus to tell him I enjoyed meeting him, and I asked if he was interested in a double date. He seemed enthusiastic about the idea — at least, as enthusiastic as he could be with his formal way of writing — and said he’d bring his friend Elena.
After we finalised the plan to have dinner on Friday at six, I called Leo. As the phone rang, I leaned back in my desk chair. The sun began to set through my apartment windows, streaking clouds with pink.
Leo answered immediately. “Hey Winnie! What’s up?”
I huffed in fake annoyance. “What are you doing Friday night?”
“Probably frantically finishing my mid-sem project.”
“Is that the model you’re making?”
