"Hi, I don't know if you remember me. I was in here a few days ago, my name is Callahan," he said.
"Hi," I replied, my voice softer than I intended. "I'm Evania, and yes, I remember you."
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence stretched, warm and charged, as if something were about to snap. I wasn't sure what was happening, but I knew I didn't want it to end. There was just something so inviting about his presence.
"I was wondering," he said finally, rubbing the back of his neck, "if you'd like to go out with me."
I stared at him in shock as the reality of his words took its time to really sink in. Did he just ask me out on a date? I continued to observe him, unsure what to say or do. For some reason, I found it hard to believe that this Adonis of a man was asking me out, but the way he stared at me, waiting for a response, made it feel that much more real.
He was asking me out.
"Are you asking me out on a date?"
"Yes, I am."
My breath caught, surprise and excitement crashing together, and before doubt could creep in even further, I nodded. "I'd like that."
Relief flashed across his face, followed by a smile that made my heart flutter. "Really?"
"Yes," I said, smiling back.
He told me where he wanted to take me, and my eyebrows lifted when I recognized the name. It was one of those high-end restaurants in the heart of the city. Fancy. Intimate. The kind of place that was perfect for a first date.
"I'll meet you there," I said, unwilling to share my address with him so soon. He was handsome, but it would take a lot more than good looks for me to completely lose it. "If that's okay."
"Of course," he said immediately. "That's perfect."
We shared another look then, lingering, unspoken tension humming between us.
"I'll see you tonight at eight," he said.
"I'll be there."
The bell chimed again when he left, and the shop fell silent once more—but now it felt different. My boredom evaporated, replaced by a sweet, electric anticipation, and for the first time all day, I grinned without restraint.
The rest of the day flew by a lot faster than I thought it would.
One moment, I was glancing at the clock behind the counter, mentally begging it to move faster, and the next I was blinking in surprise because somehow the afternoon had slipped through my fingers without me even realizing it. Customers came and went in a steady rhythm—coffee orders, polite smiles, familiar faces—but I moved through it all on autopilot. My body did what it had done a thousand times before, while my mind stayed somewhere else entirely.
I wiped counters that were already clean. I rearranged pastries that hadn't moved in hours. I checked the register twice just to give my hands something to do. Every so often, the thought of my upcoming date crept back in, and my stomach would flutter all over again.
As soon as the last customer stepped out the door, the bell above it chimed softly in their wake. I didn't hesitate. I locked up immediately, sliding the key into the deadbolt and turning it with more urgency than necessary. The quiet that followed felt heavier than usual, like the shop itself knew I was in a hurry. I grabbed my bag, flipped off the lights, and practically sprinted to my car.
The drive home was a blur. I remember stopping at red lights, drumming my fingers against the steering wheel, staring straight ahead while my thoughts spiraled in every direction at once. By the time I pulled into my apartment parking lot, my chest felt tight with a mix of excitement and nerves.
Once inside, I kicked off my shoes and headed straight for the bathroom.
I took my time in the shower, the warm water beat down on my shoulders, steam filling the small space until the mirror fogged over completely. For a few minutes, it was just me and the sound of the water, and I let myself breathe. I took that time to remind myself that this wasn't a big deal, that people went out on dates all the time.
When I finally stepped out, wrapped in a towel, I checked the time on my phone. I had an hour left to get read. Which was exactly when I decided it was time to tell my family. I should probably focus more on putting myself together; on the other hand, I needed my family's support. The last guy I dated was a complete ass, and I was freaking out a little at jumping back into the dating world.
I scrolled through my contacts and tapped Elena's name before I could second-guess myself.
She picked up on the second ring. "Hey sis-"
"I'm going on a date," I blurted out before she could even finish her sentence.
There was a brief, dangerous silence.
