From some reason, the butterflies in his stomach, multiplied 10 times over and restarted their incessant fluttering up into his throat. What the hell was he worried about, he'd been on many dates. Including first dates like this one. Well maybe not like this one. This one had been setup by one of his co-workers. Actually someone from the office he had had a brief fling, which led to some jealous gossip, and a mutual decision that they would be better off as friends. She had come by his office a few days earlier and asked,
"Hey Craig, how's it going?"
"Well, you know, just trying to make it to the weekend. What's up?"
"Well that's what I wanted to talk to you about, the weekend. You have any plans?"
"Nope, was planning on watching some games and hanging out at sports bar for awhile. Why?"
"How about doing me a favor, since it sounds you might have sometime. My old college roommate is in town and I've got a family thing and won't be able to spend anytime with her on Saturday. So was hoping that maybe you could take her out for lunch on something."
His eyebrow arched as a quizzical look came across his face. "You want me to take out a friend of yours? Does she know about us?"
"Yea, she knows all about you, Mr. Work Romance," she said as a sly smile came across her face. "We're old friends and I needed somebody to spill my guts to. Besides, she doesn't blame you, just these busy bodies here in the office."
"Well, have to get the specs on her first, like her name, does she have all her teeth, breast size, etc," he said sitting back in his chair.
"Her name is Sarah, she's about 5ft 5 inches, yes, has her own teeth, loves sports, not telling
you the breast size, but just to let you know, that since you were so happy with mine, she's just a little bit larger...perv."
"Well that's a good start. Anything else in the closet?"
"Well since you asked, " she said, readjusting herself in her seat "there is one other thing...she's white." Once again, the quizzical look came across his face, "She's white? Aren't you going to get thrown out of the sistas club, setting up a brotha with a white girl?"
"Oh you know I don't' care about that crap. Besides she's great and I wouldn't set her up with anybody I didn't trust or think she would get along with."
He looked at her and knew she was serious and said, "Ok, but I don't want to see my name on some blacklist or start to get dirty looks from "the girls".
"Thanks, Craig! I'll know you'll have a great time. I'll give her your number and you guys can set something up."
Part 2
They had talked on the phone later in the week and decided to have lunch down by the beach. Close to his local sports bar, just in case things didn't work out. He'd arrived a bit early to get a bit of liquid courage and was bringing the drink to his mouth when he saw her walk in. His first thought was, "Well Terri, was right about the breast size." She was pretty, with a round face, short brunette hair, and a nice shapely figure. She smiled and gave a short wave as she walked to the table.
"Craig? she asked as she approached the table, I'm Sarah. How are you?"
"Great, he said smiling, getting up to offer her seat. Great to meet you."
She sat down in the chair he'd pulled out. She smiled and said, "Thanks. Terri said you were a gentlemen. Appreciate, the gesture."
"Thanks, my Mother taught me well," he said. "Notice a bit of accent. Are you from the South?"
"Sure am. Louisiana, born and bred. Hadn't been anywhere west of Texas until I went off to college in Colorado. There's were Terri and I met."
They spoke casually for a few minutes after the waiter had taken their order. The general topics, work, family, school, friends. She fiddled with her napkin a bit during a pregnant pause and smiled as she looked up at him.
"So, what did Terri tell you about me."
"Well, just that you two had been college roommates, that you're thinking about moving here to sunny California, this and that."
"Did, she tell you about this", she said with a smile, waving her hands across her face.
"Oh and that you still had all your teeth", he answered with a wink.
"Well that's good to know. No cavities since I was 10", she said with a twinkle in her eye. "Did she tell me you about me being white?"
"Yea, she did mention that. Was just thinking it was your last name."
"Oh you're a funny one. So disappointed?"
"Disappointed? Why?"
"Well, back where I come from, some of the black guys would be looking over their shoulders by now. Looking for a dirty look or someone mumbling under their breath."