Thanks for all the positive feedback! It's been a delight to see my story come to life.
If you haven't read chapter one and two I'd recommend it before moving forward.
Again, big thanks to LaRascasse and Oldnakeddad for editing and advising! I am smarter than a 5th grader (or so it appears).
(This is a work of fiction and all characters are over the age of 18.)
Enjoy the show! And don't forget to vote.
* * COLIN * *
It's date night. Until tonight, this hasn't been a recurring theme in my life, but it's happening, regardless.
Oh, my god! Okay, it's happening!
I can't help but smile. If Charlie were here, he'd understand my reference. Imagining Michael Scott running around the office in a panic during a fake fire is cracking me up, it so closely represents my life right now.
I mean, I don't normally spend a lot of time on appearance, but I've been pacing like a madman, my bed is full of clothes that haven't made the cut and I'm still standing in my boxers.
I finally settle on a pair of tight dark-grey jeans, black V-neck, and a dark, olive-green sweater.
Honestly? I still don't feel good about it.
I stare at myself in the mirror. Nondescript, that's what I see staring back. I run gel through my thick brown hair, hoping it won't get out of control later. I adjust my shirt and sweater, trying hard to make everything's presentable.
Shit. I almost forgot deodorant, again! Get it together, Colin
.
Since I don't live far from the restaurant and I don't want to pay for parking, I grab a blazer and decide to walk.
Dating hasn't been a wildly successful adventure for me in the past, so I'm feeling very nervous. I know the fresh air, and a few minutes alone, will be beneficial to my mental health.
Portland is beautiful in the evenings. I love the hustle and bustle of downtown and all of the different people coexisting so close together. The weather is cool and dry, making the walk enjoyable and helping to keep clammy hands and sweaty armpits at bay.
I reach the lobby a few minutes early. I don't want to be one of those people who plays on their phone all of the time, so I decide to read the fliers hanging on the bulletin boards in the lobby.
That's what I'm doing when I sense someone is approaching me. I turn around and I'm instantly paralyzed. Standing before me is every gay man's walking wet dream.
Everything about him is bigger than me: he's a few inches taller; he has beautiful, wide shoulders; arms that are sculpted with precision; blonde hair; blue eyes; and perfect teeth. His navy sweater is deliciously tight and shows off his tapered waist.
Oh, the fantasies.
I'm going to have his babies.
"Wow, you're beautiful!"
Oh, god. I can't believe I said that to him! Wait,
I
didn't say it.
He
said it to
me!
That's an interesting turn of events.
"I'm sorry, Colin, that was inappropriate. I wasn't expecting...
this
!"
He gestures to all of me and I laugh.
"Jesse, I think you're delirious with hunger. I should get you upstairs before I have to throw you back."
I nod for him to lead the way to the elevator. I notice his small waist leads to a perfect, muscular ass and thighs.
Oh, so many inappropriate thoughts.
The elevator's full of people so we don't say much. We do, however, share a lot of goofy smiles and quick glances which make me feel giddy and nervous. At least he isn't looking at me as if he's regretting this blind date. As we approach the hostess, Jesse and I each hold two fingers up and speak to her simultaneously.
"Two for Kroft."
"Two for Clarke."
His blue eyes are sparkling with laughter and the hostess laughs with us.
"What you guys did is the funniest thing I've seen all week. I can honestly say I've never had this happen. Which is it? Two for Kroft or Clarke?"
Jesse doesn't miss a beat.
"How about one of each?"
I smile. He's cute
and
funny. She walks us to a window table. This view will never get old and Jesse is surprised.
"Wow!"
He stares at the panoramic view of the city.
"This is incredible! How have I never eaten here before? I don't care what the food's like, this view is amazing!"
His blonde hair looks freshly cut, short on the sides, but longer on top. He has it styled back and it looks amazing, I imagine his morning bedhead is incredibly sexy. I could stare at him all night, but I don't think it'd be appropriate, so I try to start a conversation with him as it'll be less awkward.
"Tell me about yourself."
He looks at me with his sultry narrow blue eyes.
"Oh, man. That's such a loaded question. Think about it, there's no parameters to guide me. I could talk about anything. I could start with something normal, such as my birthdays, or talk for hours about the way the cut on my leg healed, or tell you about every hangnail I've ever had. You need to give me some direction here."
His lip curls, revealing a mischievous side. He's smart, funny, and he just broke the ice.
"You're right, I've never thought about it like that. Let's start with the generics: college, job, family, and three things you're looking forward to during the next year."
Our waiter arrives, explains the specials, and takes our order.
"Okay. College, job, family, and three things I'm looking forward to."
He's carefully thinking.
"I'm from Seattle so I stayed in state and went to the University of Washington. I majored in business, with a minor in public relations. After graduating, I obtained a great job with Nike. I help make Nike look awesome by giving away money, goods, and services. I also plan lots of events for Nike and I get to meet amazing people. Those are all things I love to do anyway, but now I'm getting paid for doing it.
My family. Well, my parents are Joe and Jackie Kroft. I have three older sisters (Jill, Jamie, and Jane), and two younger sisters (Joy and Jenna)."
I don't know what expression my face has, but he notices it and laughs.
"Yeah, I know. Try living it! It wasn't easy, but now that we're older, it's a lot more fun. My parents were very
busy
, if you know what I mean. I'm twenty-seven, my oldest sister is thirty-one, and my youngest sister is twenty-three. The J thing is ridiculous! I'll never do that to my kids."
He laughs.
"That's insane, I can't even imag..."
He throws his hand up, cutting me off.
"I haven't finished, yet. You have to wait your turn!"
He's teasing me and I like it.
"Three things I'm looking forward to. Well, this fall, I'm going to Brazil for two weeks, the next season of This Is Us should be a real tear jerker, and don't judge me, but this date with you."
I think he's being sincere, which makes my skin flush. Thank God I have my mom's Greek genes and not my dad's pale-white complexion.
"And you?"
He's crossing his arms with his elbows on the table, leaning slightly forward, and is completely focused on me.
"I grew up here, in Portland, but I went to Columbia University on the East Coast. I have a master's in both business and marketing and a minor in accounting. I'm an associate in the marketing department at Clark-Co."
He rolls his eyes.
Obviously, Colin
.
"I love marketing because there's so much strategy involved and so many ways to think outside of the box. Nothing is impossible! Things change so fast, we constantly need to adapt and I love that challenge.
My parents live here in Portland, obviously. I have no siblings, so having six kids is something I can't wrap my brain around! To be honest, I'm a little jealous because, during most of my childhood, I'd wished I had siblings."
I sip my water without breaking eye contact. He's so attractive I don't want to look away.
"Three things I'm looking forw..."
Suddenly, I feel a hand squeeze my shoulder and hear someone's voice.
"Hey!"
I look up and see Charles hovering over me, flanked by another blonde who'd be considered a twink. I'm not expecting to run into anyone I know while on a blind date.
There's something awkward about introducing your blind date to your friends. What if the date doesn't work out? I'd rather crash and burn and not get asked about it on Monday. I introduce them anyway because I don't have a choice.
Charles introduces me to Ryan, who works on the same floor as we do, but in a different department. At first, I think they might be on a date, but it turns out Ryan has a boyfriend that will most likely be meeting them soon.
Besides saying hello to Jesse and introducing Ryan and I, Charles doesn't say a whole lot. He mainly observes us and is quick to leave when they realize their hostess is waiting for them. It's for the best because I don't want my blind date to turn into a group thing.
I want him for myself.
"Sorry, about that, Jesse. Honestly, I wasn't expecting to see anyone I know."
He assures me it's no big deal. The rest of the evening is easy. Conversation is light and fun, dinner is delicious and the view is amazing!
Portland looks good, too.
The bill comes and I'm not sure how to proceed. We both made reservations which means we both intended to pay for dinner. I figure I should be direct.
"How do you want to do this, Jesse?"
"Am I wrong to assume we were both planning on paying for dinner?"
I nod in agreement while smiling at the situation.
"Well, I was thinking. Maybe you could pay for tonight?"
"Absolutely."
Normally, this behavior would leave me feeling annoyed. Will I always be expected to pay?
"It's just, well, I'd really like to go out with you, again."
Omg, He's nervous.
"Colin, if you know I'm going to pay next time, I'm hoping you'll feel more inspired to agree to a second date?"
He smiles, but it's obvious he's worried I might say no.
Me, say no to him? Ha!
"I'd go on a second date with you even if you didn't pay."
I instantly regret saying that. For one, it makes me look desperate. Also, I don't want to open the door to any thought of me being okay with always paying. I'm super frustrated with myself.
He exhales the breath he's been holding and smiles.
"Oh, good! If there's any dates after next time, we can trade off. I like to keep things on a level playing field, if that's okay?"
Yes. One hundred times, yes.
With that cleared up, I pay the bill. The night is young, it's only eight o'clock, and I don't want to go home, yet. It's been a while since I've been out for pleasure and I'm enjoying my time with Jesse.
"Jesse, are you in a hurry to get home?" I raise my brow, waiting for his response.
