Page 125 of Sharkbait
CALLIOPE:First date, my ass. You’re practically engaged at this point.
ME:No. We are not. And all of our dates so far have sort of spontaneously happened. Tonight, he’s planned some kind of surprise. He’s picking me up and everything.
CALLIOPE:How’s he picking you up when you live together?
ME:For the last time, WE DO NOT LIVE TOGETHER.
CALLIOPE:Geez. You don’t have to shout. Have fun, sister friend. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
ME:Callie, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do.
CALLIOPE:Truuuuuuuuuuuuth!
I walk out of the aquarium and find James leaning against his car, waiting for me. He’s dressed super casual tonight in low-slung gray sweatpants, a “Kiss Me I’m a Bartender” T-shirt, and a soft black hoodie.
“The bartender wants a kiss, huh?” I ask as I sidle up beside him.
“He does indeed.”
I give him a long, slow kiss until a catcall whistle stops us. I turn to find Dana and Brendan making their way to their own cars and giving me cheesy thumbs-ups. I’ve gotten closer with these two over the past few weeks. Seems that all Brendan needed to—mostly—drop his attitude was a sense of community. Surprisingly, he’s gotten really inspired by this painting project with Meilani. He’s crafted us a dozen more custom paintbrushes for her to use, and he even assists me with her on Wednesday afternoons after he leads the weekly penguin parade. He told me the other day that he’s also brainstorming ways to get his penguin crew painting.
Art really can bring people—and animals—together.
I wave to them both and move to the passenger side of James’s car. He’s right there to open my door and usher me safely inside.
I snort. “A little much, don’t you think?”
“What?” he balks. “As this is our first official date, I thought some extra chivalry was in order. You’re not going to resist my charm all night, are you? I’ve got a whole thing planned.”
“Oh, there’s more?”
“Of course, there’s more! There’s a duffel bag by your feet. Open the front zipper pocket.”
He shuts my door and walks around to the driver’s side while I reach into the bag and pull out…
“A blindfold?” I squeak. “Remember when I told you my brother was fired for fornicating on museum premises? I’m sorry James, but I’m not getting kinky with you in the aquarium parking lot.”
He starts the car and turns on some tunes.
“Damn. My master plan is ruined.” He laughs. “While I’m down to fornicate with you at any time, in any place, no. That’s not what I had in mind. The blindfold is so you don’t guess where we’re going before the grand reveal. The road leading up to it is pretty recognizable.”
I give him a look.
“You game to play along?” he asks.
“I guess so,” I say nervously and place the blindfold over my eyes.
He kisses my nose and starts to drive.
“How long will it take to get there?”
“Not long. Ten minutes or so.”
He takes my hand and places it under his on the gear shift, so it’s almost like I’m controlling the car while blindfolded. It’s wild. The sounds around me come alive in a new way with my eyes temporarily out of the equation. The rumble of the car engine. The flow of his breath. The beating of my heart.
“So. Fornicating, huh?” he says, seemingly out of the blue. “What a word choice.”
“It comes from the latin root fornus meaning a brick oven of arched or dome shape.”
