Candy Is Dandy, But...
This is a late Valentine's Day gift to my readers, based on a story that never really happened to me at college. Hey, a guy can dream, though! Please rate this story and leave a comment when you're done reading. Reader's comments are really the only pay we authors get. Thank you, and enjoy!
It was a long time ago, and I was at college. I was a working class kid from New Jersey, and wondering what the hell I was doing on an Ivy League campus. Everybody around me seemed to be richer, better dressed, and more experienced - in everything. I never seemed to get their jokes, or their cultural references. Worse, I was a history major, certainly doomed to spend the rest of my life working in a low-paying teaching job.
Nicole was the queen of my dorm. Blonde, athletic, outgoing, bright, and incredibly self-assured, she was a business management major in Wharton. She was also blue-blood Kentucky royalty, as her family owned one of the largest independent distilleries in the state. They dabbled in horses, but liquor was their lifeblood.
I never would have had the courage to ask her out, but we were thrown together working on an American History project. I have no idea why she was taking the class - probably to fulfill some liberal arts requirement - but in this one area she was in my wheelhouse.
After our first couple of meetings to plan how we were going to get our work done, it was obvious to me that she was just as serious about it as I was. She certainly didn't treat the course as a liberal arts throw-away, and her research and writing skills were at least as good as mine.
Frankly, most of the Wharton students I encountered in my courses looked at me like I was a joke, and then assumed that I'd just do all the work and let them share the grade. Nicole was different right from the start. She was cordial, warm, worked her ass off, and treated me like an equal partner.
During the long hours we spent working together, we got to know each other better. We talked about our families, how we grew up, and what we wanted to do after graduation. One thing she never mentioned, though, was a boyfriend, girlfriend, or any type of significant other. That gave me some hope, at least.
When we got our paper back - an A+ - I worked up my courage and suggested a celebratory drink.
She considered for several moments, looking at me speculatively, before replying, "Where d'ya want to go?" in that sweet drawl of hers.
"O'Hara's," I said, naming an upscale saloon on the edge of campus. I'd given this plenty of thought, and I had a definite plan in mind.
"Not bad," she said, nodding, but still looking at me appraisingly. "If you'd suggested Doc Watson's, I'd a turned you down flat." Doc's was a campus dive famous for cheap beer and cockroaches.
"No way," I replied, smiling and lowering my voice conspiratorially. "You're too classy for that. Besides, there's a special drink at O'Hara's I want your opinion on."
"Okay," she said, also smiling. "I'm free tonight. Knock on my door at 10:00." Then she turned and walked away. There was no question of whether or not tonight was good for me. She knew I'd be there.
Nicole had one of the large, expensive suites on the top floor of our dorm. I knocked at exactly 10:00, but she still made me wait a bit. When she finally opened the door, smiling that 10,000 watt smile of hers, I suddenly didn't mind the wait at all.
She was wearing nice boots, tight jeans that made it very hard not to stare at her ass, and some sort of satiny top that clung to her just right. She was ready to go, so we walked across campus talking and laughing.
It was a weeknight, and O'Hara's wasn't too busy. We got a table in the back, and when the waitress appeared I ordered us two Bosco Bears. Nicole looked at me quizzically, and when two drinks that looked like frothy hot chocolates were delivered her face fell.
"I can't believe you ordered me a fucking candy drink," she said, looking at me disdainfully.
"I know you've got gourmet taste when it comes to liquor," I said quickly, holding up my hands to placate her, "but trust me! These things are crazy good!"
With that, I raised my glass, saluted her, and drank. She pouted at me for a few moments, then at her glass, and finally grabbed it in resignation and took a sip. Her pretty blue eyes flew open in astonishment, and she took another, longer sip. Then a third, which she swirled around her mouth for a bit, clearly loving it.
"I know, right?" I asked, happily.
"I've never tasted anything like it!" she exclaimed excitedly. "What's in it?"
"I have no idea, and they won't give out the recipe. All I know is that it contains Bosco chocolate syrup, from back home in Jersey."
"I mean...wow!" she said. "There's also a chocolate liqueur of some kind...and a dash of Kaluha." She took another drink, her smile changing into a look of concentration. She swirled for quite a while, and swallowed. "I'd expect vodka or rum, but this is gin-based - I can taste the botanicals. And, I think...yes, brandy! But there's more..."
We spent the next two hours analyzing three more Bosco Bears each before she suggested we head back. When the check arrived, I immediately pulled out my thin and worn little wallet, paid the tab, and included a generous tip. My father had taught me two things when I first started dating. One was that the man always pays for the first date, no matter how it goes. The other is that you always treat your server well and take care of them, not only because they deserve it, but also because most women notice.
When I stood and offered her my hand to help her up, Nicole smiled demurely and took it. She kept her hand in mine as we walked out into the night and wove our uncertain way back to the dorm. When we got to her door she thanked me for a wonderful time and for introducing her to the best drink she'd had in a long time. Then she tilted her head up, giving me permission to kiss her. It was the most amazing kiss I'd ever had in my young life, our tongues swirling, both of us tasting like Bosco chocolate and booze. Then she opened her door and invited me in.