When we arrive, we're lucky to get a window table, and we order, getting a pizza each and a glass of red wine.
"We haven't been here in a really long time," Adrian states as he looks around.
"We haven't been on a date in a really long time," I correct, and he sighs.
"I'm glad we're doing this… I want to give this a fair shot. Us." He smiles at me, and I feel my cheeks flame.
"Speaking of that. I wanted to tell you something. I quit my job," I say and avert my eyes, not knowing what to expect.
"Your job? At the foundation?" He frowns but awaits my explanation.
"I never liked it. I did it… Well, frankly, I did it because I thought you'd like me better if I wasinvolvedin the community." He doesn't look at me for a moment, swirling the wine in his glass and watching the liquid move in circles.
"What else?"
"What else?" I ask, not knowing exactly what he's talking about.
"What else did you do because of me?"
"Ugh…" I cringe internally at this; there are just too many things. "I studied social studies and business because you seemed into that." I immediately take a sip of wine, not wanting to see his reaction.
"More. Tell me more."
"I hate fish!" I blurt out, and his eyes widen for a second before bursting into laughter.
"You hate fish?"
"Yes. All those times I ate it with you, I puked it afterward. Fish is just… vile."
"At least now I know what not to cook you anymore."
"Sorry," I mumble, feeling bad because he'd always cook me fish when I was feeling under the weather, thinking it was my favorite food. Instead, it only served to make me sicker and prolong my period of convalescence.
"This is… interesting. What else?" He's amused at this point, so I'm not that worried anymore. All the things I'd done to impress him just roll off my tongue from how I dressed to how I styled my hair and makeup, even to my lack of body art.
"You wanted to get tattoos?"
"Hell, yes. You haven't seen Vlad naked…" I start but catch myself when I see the fire in his eyes at that mention. "He's covered in ink. Every inch of his body is tattooed."
"Vlad? I never realized," he adds pensively.
"He did them in such a way that you can't tell with the way he dresses."
"And even your hair? Come on, B." He veers the topic away from Vlad, and I'm thankful, not wanting any tension tonight.
"Yup. Always wanted to bleach it."
"You should," he says, and I almost drop my fork.
"Really?" He nods, and my excitement gets the best of me, dumping more information that should have stayed hidden.
"I also hated having sex at first," I wince at my own words.
"What, why?" Adrian asks, genuine concern in his voice.
"It hurt too much for the first few times." I shrug.
"I'm sorry. I never realized it." He squeezes my hand.