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“Who doesn’t?” I answer before taking another big bite.
He doesn’t answer, but shakes his head in dismay.
We continue eating our food and making small talk. I even managed to drink about half of my glass of wine. Yay for me.
The waiter appears at our table asking if we’d like dessert. Bradley looks at me expectantly, waiting to see what I say.
“I’m actually pretty full, so no thank you.” I give the waiter a gracious smile.
“Same here, thanks.” Bradley says with a nod and our waiter.
After paying the bill, we walk back outside to Bradley’s Mercedes. The sun is setting, and the weather has finally cooled down. We get in the car and Bradley drives me back to my parent’s house.
When we arrive, he walks me to the front door. I look up at him to thank him for dinner and my eyes widen when I see his eyes are closed and he’s leaning towards me with his lips puckered. I swivel my head at the last second, so his lips land on my cheek.
He stands up straight, his bottom lip slightly sticking out in a pout.
“Could I get your number? Then we can set up our own dates without help from your parents.”
“Oh, um. Actually, with school starting, I don’t think I'll have time. But thank you so much for dinner,” I reply with a strained smile.
His eyebrows furrow, and he straightens his spine. His body language indicates his irritation. He’s probably not the kind of guy who hears the word no very often.
“You’re welcome.” He grits out, his teeth bared in what’s probably meant to look like a smile.
I give him one last friendly smile before opening the front door and ducking inside. I tiptoe over to the window and peek through the curtain to make sure he leaves. He’s already walking back toward his car. He glances back toward the house once he reaches his Mercedes and he has a scowl on his face.
As I watch him drive away, I put my hand to my chest and breathe a sigh of relief.
“What on earth are you doing?” My mother asks from behind me, making me jump and scream.
“Mom! Don’t creep up on me like that. You scared me to death.”
She places her fists on her hips indignantly. “You’re the one being creepy, peeking out the window.” She relaxes and grins at me. “So, how was your date?”
“It was fine, Mom.” I withhold the eye roll I want to release so badly. “Dinner was delicious.”
She rubs her hands together. “Wonderful! When’s your next date?”
“We’re not going out again. I already told you this was a onetime thing.”
“But, Sophie!” She starts.
I put my hands up, warning her to stop talking. “Even though you set this date up without my permission, I went. So don’t push me.” I walk off, leaving her in the entryway.
“Samantha?” I call as I walk through the house and into the living room, where I can hear cartoons playing on the television.
She’s curled up next to my dad. My parents would’ve never let us watch cartoons all evening growing up. I’m glad they’ve relaxed so much now that they’re grandparents.
“Hey, Sammy girl,” I say as I enter the room.
She spots me and stands to jump up and down on the sofa. “Mommy! You’re back!”
“Let’s get home so I can get you to bed, okay?” I pick her up from the couch.
She wraps her arms around my neck. Her eyes look sleepy, but she still protests, “I don’t wanna go.”
Dad stands and rubs her back to console her. “It’s okay, you’ll come see us again next Saturday.”
Dad smiles at me, and I’m glad he doesn’t ask me about the date. It wasn’t awful, but there was just no chemistry between me and Bradley. And we have nothing in common, besides both of us being single parents.
I’m sure there’s a stunning woman out there who loves money and sniffing wine, who’s meant to be Bradley's next wife. But I am not that woman.
