Page 27 of Not So Casual

“What’s your favorite color?”

“My favorite color?” I repeat, my brows furrowed.

He shrugs. “Just getting to know you better.”

“Sure. It’s blue.” I purposely lie, knowing that he knows it’s not my favorite color.

“Liar.” He scoffs. “I know it’s green.”

I glance down at his green sweater, then lock eyes with him. “I do love the color green.”

“Then why lie and say blue?”

“To prove you know me.”

“Fine. Tell me something I don’t know about you, then.”

I quickly side-eye Elias, then tell him something about myself not many people know.

“I…uh… I know how to play the piano.” Lifting one of my hands off the steering wheel, I rub the back of my neck, looking at him with chagrin.

“Wait, what? Really? When did you learn? How well can you play? Can I hear it?” He shoots his questions at me one after the other in quick succession. Chuckling, I shake my head, loving that he didn’t say it was a stupid thing to know.

“When I was younger, my parents wanted me to play a sport. I’m not a sports person, so I asked if I could learn an instrument. My parents agreed, probably thinking I would choose the guitar or drums, but for some reason I had my heart set on the piano.”

“So, they got you lessons?”

“Yeah. I took lessons for a few years. Now I just play here and there when I have the time.”

“Wow.” He breathes out. “I can’t believe I never knew that you could play. Will you play for me sometime?”

“You’d wanna hear me play?” I quickly glance at him and see him smiling brightly at me.

“Of course I would.”

“Okay, after dinner, then.”

“Okay,” he echos, leaning back in his seat, looking out the window.

We arrive at the restaurant a short while later, passing the keys to the valet before making our way inside. I guide Elias to the hostess stand, giving her my name. While walking to our table, I take a look around the restaurant, debating whether this was the right choice or not.

The restaurant is black with silver accents, all the tables and counters shiny and sleek. Everything is shadowed in dim lighting, most of the light coming from the different candles on the tables. It’s a nicer restaurant for sure, but now that we’re here I’m questioning my decision to choose this restaurant. The hostess stops at our table, and I go to take out Elias’ seat when I stop.

“Let’s get out of here.”

“What?” Elias whips around, looking at me wide-eyed. “You want to leave?”

“Yeah.”

“But, why?” He looks around panicked, and I notice the people next to us are staring at us.

Grasping his hand, I intertwine our fingers and pull him away from the table.

“This isn’t us.”

“What---?”

I don’t let him finish his sentence before I’m pulling him out of the restaurant and into the street. My hand tightens on his, not releasing him as I drag him along. We walk past the valet, and I tell the guy I’ll be back later to pick up the car. After he gives me a nod, I continue pulling Elias with me.

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