Maybe I need to get into dating too. It’s time for me to stop caring so much about certain age gaps. If I like a person, as long as they’re over twenty-five years old, then why should I stop myself from seeing if there’s a real connection?
Reaching into my pocket, I snag my phone and decide to text my mystery woman and hope she isn’t done with me yet.
Me:How’s your night? I’m hoping we can talk.
This time, I’m not going to run away.
I’m going to reach for happiness, and that starts with effort.
10
OLIVIA
My phone vibratesin my purse, a beacon for me to snatch onto to save me from this horrendous date.
At this point, I’m prepared to delete the entire dating app and risk the world alone. There’s no way some of these men are real. Is the universe pranking me? Is this karma for putting glue into a girl’s lip gloss when I was twelve because she wouldn’t stop verbally bullying me every chance she got? I had to shut her up somehow and the only thing I could think was “she can’t talk if she can’t move her lips,” and honestly, I don’t regret it.
I’ll never apologize for sticking up for myself.
And this guy in front of me makes me wish I had a bottle of glue in my purse.
He’s already insulted my hair once this evening, and I’m sure he isn’t done. I would leave, just like I should have done before, but it’s important to me that I try my very best to not let people get to me. This man is making it very difficult to stay true to that.
“So have you ever thought about dying your hair? I’m not the biggest fan of redheads. Your face is beautiful. I think a lightblonde would work well for your skin tone. I’m not trying to be offensive. I only want to be honest.”
I take a swig of my wine, doing my best not to lose my fucking nerve with all these people around. “That won’t be happening, Jared. I like my red hair. If you wanted to go on a date with a blonde or brunette, why didn’t you?”
He cuts into his steak, the table slightly shaking from the force of his knife since he ordered it well done.
Another red flag.
“I have other dates. I’m keeping my options open. Dating around, nothing serious.”
I scoop a bit of my loaded baked potato into my mouth; the warmth and buttery softness ease the anger building in my throat. I’m seconds away from yelling at him in the middle of the restaurant. I want to be better than that.
“Yeah, me too.” I take another sip of wine.
His fork and knife clink on the plate. Jared sighs, looking left, then right, clicking his tongue in agitation. “So…you’re wanting to whore around? Is that what you are? A whore?”
My eyes become wide, my brows rising in shock at his fucking audacity. “Excuse me?” I seethe, gripping the stem of my wineglass so hard, I think it might break. “I’m only dating likeyouare dating, may I remind you.”
He lifts a shoulder, shaking his head in disagreement. “I don’t agree. Women have the responsibility to not ruin themselves for when the perfect man comes along. A man like me, who is willing to provide, protect?—”
“Demean,” I add. “You’re a hypocrite.” I down the rest of my wine and lift my glass to the waiter who was about to come to our table, signaling for another. “I can’t stand men like you. You think you’re God’s gift to women when really, you are the reason why we would rather be single, but that’s not something you’re able to understand. You aren’t smart enough to comprehend that. So, Jared, let’s agree on something. We will sit here, in silence, finishing our meal. I will pay for mine, you will pay for yours, we will go our separate ways. I never want to hear from you again. I’m sure the women you’ll be seeing next will come to the same conclusion. You’re a man threatened by the power of a woman and I don’t have time nor the energy for that.”
The waiter takes the perfect moment to bring me a new glass, and it’s filled to nearly the brim. Oh, he knows this date isn’t going well.
“Thank you so much.”
“If you need anything else—” He turns his body toward Jared and speaks through a fake smile. “Please, let me know and I will do everything I can to make your meal here a positive experience.”
I know that look. He’s definitely trying to help me, to give me an out, to let me know I’m not alone here. I’ll be okay.
“Thank you so much.” I soften my voice so he knows I understand his message. “I will let you know if I needanything.”
He gives me a tight smile paired with a curt nod while side-eyeing my date. He keeps his hands behind his back, professional and polite as he strides to his next table. Every few seconds he looks over to check on me. I can see him out of the corner of my eye, all too aware of my situation.
“That waiter was kind to you,” Jared practically sneers. “Have you fucked him?”
