Page 22 of The Blue Rose
I look back at her confused, as she walks over to my vanity, returning holding up two sparkly silver dangling earrings. “No outfit is complete without earrings to finish it off.” Something I taught her and live by.
I smile, taking the earrings from her, and putting them in.
Looking over at my clock on my nightstand, I notice it is time to leave for my date. She notices and says “Guess that’s my cue to leave.” She kisses me on the cheek one last time and walks towards the door stopping, to turn and say. “Have a great time tonight! Be safe, have fun, and tell me all about it tomorrow.” She leaves, with one final smile, and I put on my silver heels before heading out the door.
EIGHT
SERENA
Pulling up to the restaurant twenty minutes later, and I park my car on the ramp. I lock my car behind me, and walk towards the restaurant. Checking my hair and makeup in the restaurant window one more time before heading in. I’m fixing the lipstick on the corner of my mouth, when I see a person standing on the other side of the street. My movement stops as I try to look closer, in the reflection I see sandy blonde hair, and even in the dark, I can make out those teal green eyes.Aster?I whip around, heart racing, to see if I’m imagining things. A box truck passes by, blocking my view. When it has finally passes, the person has disappeared.
A sad smile crosses my lips.Was it just my imagination?Mindlessly opening the door, I see Tyler already waiting inside. I put on a fake smile, and walk towards him. He turns, seeing me, and what looks like a real smile stretches his lips, he reaches out his hand for me to take, I hesitate for a moment, but take it. His hand is soft for a guy, most men have rough calloused hands, like Aster, but his are kind of small.
He walks us to our table and pulls out my chair like a gentleman, then takes the seat across from mine. I look around at the people around us. All the women are way more dressedup than me, and that helps me relax a little bit. The fear of being overdressed washes away.
He’s wearing a green shirt, with a black long sleeve sweater vest over it, and white jeans. He looks better in person than the pictures. His hair is freshly cut, shaved on the sides and styled back on the top. Makes him look more preppy than punk, and I have to admit I like the change.
Pulling me from my thoughts of admiring him, he says, “You look even more beautiful in person, and I love what you chose to wear.” He looks me up and down, eliciting a blush from me.
“Thank you, I was thinking the same thing.” I say with a shy smile, “Looks like we are matching each other already.” I motion towards his shirt.
He looks down and smiles, “To think, I almost didn’t wear this. Must be fate” He says with a playful smile crossing his lips, and one eyebrow lifted.
I look at him, biting my lip to keep from smiling. “Oh yeah? What is it you almost wore?”
He gives me a playful smirk. “I almost decided to wear a bright blue Hawaiian shirt with orange flowers on it with khaki shorts, of course I opted for this instead,” He says, pulling the top of his shirt out.
“I would have loved to see you in that,” I say with a laugh.
To think if he actually did show up dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, in a place as fancy as this. Wonder if they would actually let him in, or make him change. This place is nice, but it’s the kind of nice place that has rules, and you have to have connections to get in. A place I would usually never be caught dead in, but I’m throwing caution to the wind tonight.
He lowers his gaze. “Maybe on our next date, I’ll wear that just for you.”
His comment has me shifting uncomfortably, “Already talking about a second date? You really do move fast. How about we see how this one goes first.”
“Like I said,” He leans in and I can smell the cigar on his breath, making me lean back. “When I know what I want, I take my shot, and I want you, Serena.”
“Oh. Well.” The words freeze on my tongue when I feel eyes on me, the same eyes I felt at the bar two weeks ago. A shiver runs down my spine and my heart starts pounding. I start to look around, looking for him, hopeful that the person outside was him. My body aches to look around the restaurant properly, but I don’t want to insult Tyler.Forget Him. He’d have reached out if he wanted to.
I feel a hand touch mine, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Hey, everything okay? You look anxious,” Tyler says, concern heavy in his voice.
It takes a few breaths to calm my breathing, but when I do I place my hand over his, “Yeah, I’m fine I just got a chill.” He starts to remove his vest to hand to me, and I stop him, reaching across the table. “I’m okay now, thanks though.”
He nods, bringing the vest back down, as the waiter comes over to take our order.
“What can I get you both this evening?”
I go to answer, but Tyler answers for me. “We will both have water and the chefs’ special.” The waiter looks at me, waiting for approval, but before I can speak Tyler says. “That will be all.” The waiter bows his head and walks away.
Is this the fifties when a woman isn’t allowed to speak her mind? Who is he to order for me?I place my hands in my lap, making little crescent moons on my palm again, to calm the anger starting to rise. He seemed so fun. So playful, when I first got here, but as soon as there's another person in front of us, it’slike his whole personality flipped a switch. Rude and obnoxious and that is a major turn off.
Tyler turns back to me, and before he can speak, I interrupt him this time. “I could have ordered for myself, plus, what if I don’t like whatever the chef's special is?”
“Trust me, you’ll like it. Everyone does.”
My leg starts to bounce uncontrollably. “Oh, everyone? Do you take everyone here?” I ask, annoyed.
“That’s not what I meant.” He pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I’m sorry, we can call him back and change your order to something different if you want?”
