Page 47 of Fruit
Sebastián smiles slightly, shaking his head. “Nah. That came after.”
“Oh yeah? You had a lot of bad dates, then?”
“I wouldn’t saya lot, but a few.”
“Like…?”
“Like, I don’t know. Having my date complain about my tattoos on the first date. What am I even supposed to do with that feedback? They’re permanent. And none of your damn business.”
I snort. “What an asshole.”
“Yeah, she kind of was. What about you? Any terrible dates?”
“Dude. Sorry, but you can’t compare the average bad date with a girl with the average bad date with a guy. Bad dates with guys always win,” I say.
Sebastián raises his eyebrows questioningly.
“Like, okay, one time I was set up on a blind date with this guy, so I couldn’t vet him, and he turned out to be a complete psycho. I walked out in the middle of the date because he was just so damn obnoxious to the waitress and just being a dick in general, and he chased me down and took my purse. He was all like, ‘I’m sorry, just let me take you home,’ and wouldn’t return my purse, so I was dumb enough to get in the car with him. I knew as soon as he locked the doors that I’d made a huge mistake, ’cause, like, his whole demeanour changed. I could see his knuckles turn white, he was holding on to the steering wheel so tightly, and I was like,Oh shit.
“So, he drives me to some random road, right, all deserted and stuff, and parks by the side of the road, and I’m like,I’m out of here, but he grabs me by the hair and pulls me back.”
“What the fuck.”
“I know, right? He starts ranting about how us bitches are all the same, and I’m like, fuck, where the hell is the car door lock? Honestly, it was a miracle I found it, I was kind of shitting myself ’cause, you know, he was a complete crazy person. I managed to headbutt him and hit the locks, and I swear to God, I’ve never run so fast in my life.”
“Jesus Christ, Iva.”
“Yeah. I have to admit, I was pretty scared. I told the police and everything, but they didn’t arrest him ’cause it was a ‘she said, he said’ situation, and I didn’t have any evidence but…yeah. I was pretty pissed at my friend too.”
“Well, yeah. What the fuck was she thinking? Did she even know the guy?”
“Apparently, he was a friend of her boyfriend’s and, surprise surprise, couldn’t get a date on his own.”
“Jesus.”
“Yeah. So. Like. No more blind dates for me.” I laugh, but Sebastián doesn’t even crack a smile. He looks angry. “It’s fine, though. Like, I got over it,” I assure him.
He looks at me, his lips pursed. “I’m sorry that happened to you,” he says. I shrug a little awkwardly.
“It’s fine.”
He opens his mouth, no doubt to protest, but I raise up my hands.
“I mean—thanks.”
We stop walking and just stand there, looking at each other. He huffs out a breath, and I punch him lightly on the shoulder.
“Don’t fret about it. It’s in the past,” I say. Sebastián doesn’t look consoled. “How about we get some food?” I suggest. “Food always makes everything better.”
Sebastián finally smiles slightly. “All right.”
We go to a little Thai place a friend of mine recommended. I convince Sebastián to share a starter of papaya salad with pig ears. He looks decidedly unsure about it, but his whole face transforms when he has a taste.
“Wow. This is actually good.”
“Told ya. You gotta try new things, dude.”
He tilts his head slightly as he takes another forkful.
