Page 32 of In a Pinch

“You’re such a Negative Nancy.”

Lunch breaks are always better when Regina joins me. Even when she smack talks me the entire time. I’ve finally settled fully into my new job and begun making friends. The sun is shining and it’s an unusually warm day for the beginning of March. We grabbed food from a food truck close to the office and set up our lunch picnic at the park overlooking a pond.

“Negative is a strong word. I just know better than to get my hopes up.” I shrug as I look over the pond, watching the ducks splash in the water. Though, Shaun has given me no reason to believe I shouldn’t get my hopes up.

“Did he say where he was taking you?”

“He didn’t, but I’m pleasantly surprised that he took the initiative to plan a date all by himself. He asked what kind of food I like, and I told him I don’t discriminate against any of the food categories.” I take a bite of my sandwich, and then tack on, “He did tell me the dress code is a bit dressier. So, I’m kind of excited to play dress up.” We’ve been texting for a couple days now, and by all accounts, he seems like a total gentleman.

She shimmies as she says, “Oh là là! Sounds like you’ve got a winner on your hands.”

I watch the cars pass and let myself get a little bit excited. Maybe this will get Sam out of my system for good. Shaun seems like a good one, and Isla already likes him. This time, I’m making the decision with my head instead of my heart.

My red dress is hugging all of the right places as I spin in the mirror for the thousandth time. I haven’t felt this good about myself in a while. Getting my stride at work has me back in my element. The self-deprecating comments that usually flood my brain have slowed, except for when I spend too much time alone and wallow in my singleness and lack of accomplishments.

“Let me see you!” Isla says as she lets herself into my room. “Wow, you look hot as fuck. If this doesn’t work out, I am sure every other man in my office will want to date you after they hearabout you from Shaun.” She walks to my bed and jumps up to sit on the edge.

“Well, at least one of us is optimistic. What shoes do you think I should pick? Is he tall or short? Can I wear the strappy black heels, or should I stick with flats?” Grabbing my favorite perfume, I spritz some across my chest. Inhaling its jasmine and vanilla scent helps me settle my nerves. For all of two seconds. Half of me wants to be excited, but the other half wants to keep from getting ahead of myself.

“He’s a giant; you could wear six-inch stripper heels and still be an inch or so shorter.”

Does height really matter in the grand scheme of things? No. I would much rather have someone who is kind and caring than a six-foot-six douche canoe. But height certainly doesn’t hurt. If he’s nice and six-foot-six, call my momma and the preacher because I’ve found the one.

Swiping the black strappy heels from my closet, I close the clasp around my ankle and turn around.

“Isla?” Huh. She was just here. I need final thoughts on the outfit. We are cutting it down to the wire and I am never late. Ever. Well, so long as I'm not busy with work and at least not when I can control it.

I stand and smooth the wrinkles out of my dress. My hair is in loose waves down the back, perfectly complementing the color of the dress.

The doorbell rings and I feel my heart do a little pitter-patter. Damn, I should have had a little drink before heading out to take the edge off.

Isla must be a mind reader because she’s hauled ass back upstairs, cup in hand. “Here, it’s a double shot of tequila to take the edge off.”

Laughing at her choice of cup, which is a mug, I swallow the whole thing in one gulp. Moments like these make me glad Ihaven’t moved out quite yet. The apartments in my budget are, well, awful so far. I’ve never had an apartment to myself. So, I’m wanting to make sure I find the right one that I can make my own.

“Cheese and rice, that burns. A mug? Really?”

“It was the closest thing I could find. I could see Shaun’s car coming up the driveway, and I had to act fast.” Isla reaches up and smooths some of my flyaways down. Though I traded my natural curls for curling iron curls, a few bits of frizz still pop up.

I laugh a little as the burn of the alcohol makes my nerves settle, but hearing the voices between Cal and Shaun downstairs puts a little hustle in my step. This feels like my high school prom. Only, my best friend and her future husband are my parents sending me off. I swear, if Cal tells him anything about having me home at a decent hour, I will stab his foot with my stiletto.

My mind must be wandering a little too fast because once I hit the last stair, I miss it by just a hair. My heels cause me to fall forward instead of backward, making me fall face first…right into my date’s crotch. Fucking awesome. His hands grab my shoulders, stopping the impact from knocking him on his ass.

“A little soon for you to be in that region, don’t you think?” Isla says.

Shaun helps me to my feet, while Cal and Isla try to muffle the laughter. And bytry, I mean there is about 3 percent of trying involved. I stand and smooth out my dress, feeling thankful that I at least didn’t flash everyone.

I’m never taking a shot of tequila for a date ever again, and I’m wearing flats until the day I die.

“Well, I guess we won’t be needing any of the icebreakers I thought of on the car ride, eh?” Shaun says and I can’t help but laugh. At least he has a sense of humor.

“No, it looks like my lack of coordination saw its time to shine. Nice to meet you. I’m Addie. Obviously.” I stick my hand out and his wraps around mine. It feels warm and soft.

“Obviously, I am Shaun.” We both chuckle.

“Well, now that I have made this as awkward as possible, I think we will be on our way.” I hitch my thumb over my shoulder to point to the door.

The ride over to the restaurant goes smoothly, and I manage to avoid embarrassing myself again. Conversation is filled with basic questions, asking what we do for a living, if we like it, where we went to school, and all of the basic boring stuff.

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