I send him a text just in case I've mixed things up.
Me: Hey, outsideGolden State Gate C near the no parking sign. You close?
No dots appear.
Maybe he doesn't have his phone out in front of him. Maybe he's tipping his Uber driver. Maybe he's not coming.
I cross my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling so exposed to the outside world. What if Ricardo followed us here? I back closer to the outside of the gate in a weak attempt to provide somewhat of a sense ofsecurity.
Two more minutes pass. No text. No Kyle.
I scoff. Whose name is Kyle anyway? The only Kyles I've ever known have been Monster-chugging douchebags with a tendency to rough their women up. Why did I think this one would be any different? I shake my head to rid myself of the irrational thought.
"That's a generalization, Cora," I say to no one but myself and recall the time my old therapist had told me to challenge my intrusive thoughts.
Sometimes it takes me quite literally having to say it out loud for it to work.
The sun blares down on me and warms my skin while sending a little reminder that I should have brought a pair of sunglasses. Hopefully our seats aren't directly in its line of sight or I'll have to spend far too much money on a cheap pair of overpriced licensed shades. I pick a piece of white fuzz off my bright red crop top and position my hair behind my shoulders, then pull it back in front of them, only to shove one side back and keep the other forward. Unzipping the clutch in my hand, I retrieve a small compact, blot at my nose, and check my teeth.
Four minutes late turns into six, and I know the time is running out before June throws a fit and comes looking for me. I don't want her to feel bad since she's the one who insisted I bring this guy, so for her sake, I hope he shows up.
A tall figure approaches me, but they're blurred out from the shining sun. The person waves their arm, and I glance around to make sure I'm not the idiot about to wave at the wrong person. But when they come into my vision, I don't know whether I should be relieved or disappointed.
"He still not here yet I take it?" Alec approaches and leans against the gate, kicking his foot up behind him and folding his arms over his chest.
"Nope." I examine my phone again to confirm my messages were delivered and to confirm the time. "No call, no show."
"I'll wait with you for a few more minutes." Alec reaches out and nudges my shoulder. "That's what friends are for, right?"
I tilt my head toward him. "Can you believe they think we're having sex?"
Alec blushes and a soft smile spreads across his face. "Would that be such a bad thing?"
My mouth drops open. "You're not serious."
Alec throws his hands up and laughs. "Sorry, didn't realize you despised the idea so much."
"Wait..." I fully turn toward him and put my hand on my hip. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying." Alec shoves off the gate and steps toward me, his frame towering over me. "It should be me taking you on this date, not some random guy."
I blink up at him. "Wh-what?"
"You heard me."
"I didn't know you..."
"Cora," Alec purrs. "I've had a crush on you since the first time I saw you on campus. Months before we ever actually met. Do you realize how painful it is to be near you and not do this..." He hovers his hand near my cheek, slowly inching it closer until he finally does.
My entire body nearly melts at his touch and my eyes flutter closed briefly.
"Alec..."
"Tell me you don't feel the same and I'll never bring it up again." His dark eyes dart between mine like they're pleading with me to understand.
Little does he know, they absolutely do. I just had no idea until this moment that he felt this way.
"I do," I admit in a whisper. "I do feel the same."
