“Oh, that’s right. The kitchen witch of Mayberry Holm,” I said.
“The one and only.”
“She makes great cake; I have to admit. Though she keeps trying to sell me courage carrot cake, and I’m not sure how to feel about that.”
“You don’t like courage?” Cole chuckled.
“I don’t like carrot cake,” I responded in kind.
“Yeah, Lilian can go overboard sometimes. She thinks she knows what people need and won’t take no for an answer.”
I narrowed my eyes and leaned in closer as if I was about to discuss a big, dark secret.
“Do you really believe she’s… magical?”
Cole laughed.
“Hell no. But then again, Enzo swears her love cake is what got him my brother, so who knows?”
The waitress returned with our drinks and asked us if we were ready to order, so we took her cue to start looking at the menu.
The paper was creased with grease spots in the corners, but the problem was that the contents didn’t look any more appetizing.
“Hm. I think I’ll go for a burger,” Cole said and turned to me.
I didn’t necessarily want to get anything from here, but I also didn’t want to be rude to Cole on our first date, so I asked for an avocado salad.
“Could I have it without the cheese dressing? Just some vinaigrette or olive oil?”
The waitress nodded and walked away.
“Are you vegetarian? I’m sorry. I should have asked. Gosh. I’m so bad at this.” He slapped his forehead and groaned.
“It’s okay,” I said.
“It’s not though. Gosh, I’m so rusty but still. This is unacceptable.”
“Don’t worry,” I said and reached for his hand. “I’m not vegetarian. I’m just… They don’t use halal products here.”
The contact tingled my fingers and gave my arms goosebumps that rendered me speechless for a moment. Until I pulled back and tried to not show how much such a simple thing had affected me.
“Oh no! You should have said. I should have asked. God, I’m such a terrible date. Do you want me to cancel the order? We can go somewhere else?”
His smile was completely gone, replaced by a sad frown, and I felt a pinch of guilt in my chest.
“It’s fine. Really.”
“But this place is horrible,” he said.
“It’s the company that matters, right?” I shrugged.
It took him a few moments, but he finally accepted defeat and sat back in his chair.
“To a shitty first date.” He raised his glass of beer, and I clinked my soda glass with his.
“And to eleven crappier ones to come,” I said.
Cole laughed.
