Oh. That's unfortunate.Just don’t look down, Bella, you’ll get through this. But how can such a great looking man wear those shoes!?
Jack walked to the Uber, opened the door for Bella, then got in on the other side, and the driver pulled away from the curb.
“It’s great to see you, Jack. Where are we going?” she asked.
“Well, I don’t really know a lot of places here, and I didn’t want to ask you where to go, but I saw there was a Benihana not far from your place - I hope that’s okay?”
“I love Benihana, it’s perfect. This is going to be so much fun!”
Arriving at Benihana, they were escorted to the communal hibachi table they’d be sitting at and waited for their waiter so they could order drinks. Jack ordered a Benihana Punch - some kind of potent rum concoction but it came in a collectable Buddha mug that you could take home, and he knew Piper would love that. Bella ordered a Lychee Blossom Martini, and they settled in and sized up the strangers they’d be dining with. Saying their hellos, they quickly turned their attention to each other, both of them nervous and trying not to show it — and both of them failing completely.
As dinner progressed, each of them laughed at the chef’s antics, especially when he flipped a prawn into Jack’s mouth. They were genuinely having a great time, when they heard an “Excuse Me?” from behind them. Turning, they found a clearly inebriated man swaying gently, clutching an enormous fishbowl drink in luminous blue.I think he’s had enough, Bella thought.
“Scuse me - are you that astronaut dude? That’s going to the moon?” he asked Jack.
“Yes, I am. How you doing, man? That’s a pretty big drink, maybe you should set that down before you spill it,” Jack replied.
“Nah dude, it’s cool. Hey, can I get a picture?” he asked, swaying even more, with his drink sloshing over the rim of the glass.
“Sure, but I’m on a date, can we do that after we’re done eating?”
“No, I’m leaving, come on man, it’ll just be a second. Here - hold this,” he said, thrusting his drink at Bella. Bella reached for it a half second too late — the drink lurched out of the glass and straight down Jack's shirt, his jeans, and those white Dad shoes.Oops.
Jack gritted his teeth and held his tongue - he wasn’t about to make a scene - NASA wouldnotlike that. He looked down at his previously white shoes, now a bright blue -I guess these will be going in the trash- he took the napkins being offered, tried to wipe himself off as best he could, while saying “It’s okay, it’s all good.” The man apologized, took his photo, and left.
“Well, that was interesting,” Bella said, the laughter finally bubbling over.
“I’m sorry Bella, that kind of ruined the vibe, didn’t it?” he said.
“No, it’s fine really. And I have to say it - the shoes are dramatically improved now!”
“What’s wrong with my shoes?”
“Oh Jack, those are total Dad shoes. I can’t believe you even own a pair of them. Those are almost as bad as Crocs!”
“Oh, ha ha. Okay Miss Shoe Lady, what should I be wearing instead?” he asked.
“Oh, Puma’s if you’re going to wear trainers - like the ones you wore at the Taylor concert. Those were sexy.”
Thatgot his attention. “Okay, I will see what I can do for our next date. Maybe we can go shoe shopping?” he joked.
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Captain Calloway.”
Dinner was over, Jack called for an Uber, and they waited out front for it to arrive.
“I guess our night is over - I was planning on drinks at a place I saw online that looked interesting, but I can’t go out like this,” Jack said while they waited.
“I’m fairly sure I have a shirt that would fit you - if you'd like to come back to mine. It’s a fairly nice night. I’ve got an outdoor fire pit by the pool; we can sit out there with a nightcap.”
Jack would have agreed to walking across red hot coals if she suggested it, so he said yes immediately, and when their Uber arrived, they headed back to Bella’s.
Bella turned off the alarm system while Jack greeted Primrose, who acted like she’d been left alone for months instead of a few hours.
“I’ll be right back - let me get you a shirt. Will a large work for you?”
“A large is perfect, thanks. I can get the fire out back going and get us started on drinks if you want. What would you like to drink?”
“Surprise me - but nothing too strong please.”
