"Oh, yeah?"
I take a deep breath before talking again. I want to get this weird vibe between us over. "I'm sorry, for what I said the other day. Yes, I went to the club and I was curious about the whole dynamic, but I don't think regression is something for me. I'm not knocking it and I want you to know that that will stay between us. I'm sorry if the way I reacted hurt you or anything."
"I appreciate it," Austin says. "I'm sorry for just springing that on you in the middle of a work week. I definitely could have done that better."
"Are we cool?" I hold out my hand for Austin to shake, if we are. He stands and takes my hand. He's six years older than me— well, he'll be thirty-one next month, where I'm twenty-two until June— but I have a few inches on him. He's more of a clean shaved face while my beard grows in decently. I've been told it makes me look older than I actually am. He takes my hand in his and shakes it twice.
"We're good. Have fun tonight. Garrett is honestly really fun to hang out with." I start to walk away, but Austin calls after me. "He's also insanely loaded so don't feel bad getting a good meal out of him!"
I laugh at that and double check that I've locked the door behind me before running around the building and finding Garrett's car. I feel a bit guilty getting his seat wet when I hop into the passenger seat.
"Do you not have an umbrella?"
"It wasn't raining this morning," I said. I don’t have an umbrella, but that’s beside the point. "I didn't think to check the weather."
"What would you like to eat?" Garrett asks. I hear Austin's words in my head and hide a smile. I'm not in the business of taking advantage of people, but the thought of a full meal that couldn't be made in a microwave has my stomach rumbling.
"I'm not picky. I'm allergic to avocados, though. So, just need to be careful with that."
"I remember you telling me that." Oh. I forgot that I told him that, but I'm more surprised that he remembers that one comment after almost seven weeks. Garrett doesn't say anything else as he pulls out of the parking lot and onto the road. I'm not familiar with this part of town all that much, so I don't know where he's planning on taking us. Riley pokes his head up between the front seats and I instinctively reach my hand up to scratch his chin. "Do you like barbecue?"
"Sure," I say.
The drive is only ten minutes, but it's spent in silence. Riley barks once at someone that walks in front of the car while we're at a red light, which makes me giggle to myself because he is the least bit intimidating in his raincoat and booties. We pull into the parking lot of a strip mall of sorts. The barbecue place is on the end, made obvious by the pig and grill on the logo.
"You're taking me to a place called Smoking Butts? What, do you have to have a nice butt to come in here? In that case, I don't think I qualify."
"One, you would qualify." That comment has me blushing so hard, I can feel the heat radiating off my skin. I never even thought that he'd checked me out in the two times we've met, but apparently I'm just not paying attention. "Two, do you know what a butt is? It's actually the shoulder and the way they smoke them here, it's heaven in your mouth."
"High praise," I say. "I've never been to a place like this before, so I hope you can order for me."
"I'd be happy to." Garrett smiles and opens his door. I realize what that sounds like, like me wanting to give Garrett the control. And yeah, it's nice to have someone that will order when I don't know what's good or if anything has avocados. Some menus don't specify enough.
Riley is between us as we jog to the door. I hold the door open since Garrett has the leash and I reach it first. He gives me a quiet thank you and doesn't seem put off about it, but I suddenly question exactly what the dynamic he's expecting is. Should there be a dynamic? Do I want there to be one? We can just be friends going out, right?
The inside of the restaurant is casual and smells amazing. It's a large room with tables randomly throughout and counters that hold utensils and different dipping sauces. The walls are a mix of wood and exposed brick and you can see the giant grills behind the registers. The smells are mouthwatering too.
"Your face says everything," Garrett says as we reach the counter to order. "Do you want pork or chicken? And do you like spicy?"
"Pork is fine, but I don't think I'm feeling spicy today."
"I know just the thing, then."
A young woman steps up to the register and smiles, asking what we would like to eat.
"Can I get the number four, medium, with the side of cole slaw and fries." I look up at the menu boards and see that he's ordered an Oak Smoked Brisket, which sounds and looks amazing. I've never had Brisket before, but the picture looks tempting. I'm wondering if that's for me or him. "And can I get the sampler tray? I'll take Brisket, pulled pork, mac and cheese, and— What other side would you like?"
I look from the menu to Garrett. He lifts his free hand to where the sides are listed and I do a quick scan. "Cheesy potatoes are fine."
"Okay, we'll get that. And then an extra side of the Blueberry cobbler. He has an allergy to avocado, as well, if you can add that note in."
"Got it," the lady says. I look over the boards again and don't see any avocados listed, but I'm happy that he's making sure. I cringe a little at the total, thinking about how that much money was my phone bill alone for the month. "Here are the drinks and we'll call your number when it's ready. Do you need a water bowl for the dog?"
"Yes, please. Thank you." Garrett ushers me over to the drink fountain. I don't drink a lot of soda, mostly because it's a luxury to buy on any given occasion. When I go for the water, though, Garrett stops me. "The Lemonade and Sweet tea are both really good here, if you want it."
He goes for the Sweet tea and I decide on Lemonade. I take a sip while I follow Garrett to a table by a set of windows. It's only two chairs and Riley sits next to my seat dutifully. I smile and rest my hand on his back, scratching lightly at his neck.
"This is really good," I say, holding up my cup of lemonade that I've already downed a fourth of.
