Dearest potential readers
This is a long, slow story, focussed on flirtation and friendship. This part is all about character development. Sexy moments come at the end of Part 2, so if you're after a short, hot sex scene perhaps look elsewhere. I won't mind, honestly. However, if you like the slow-burn and the build up of feelings and tension, this may be for you.
A massive thank you to KES and the incredible Broken Spokes for their feedback and guidance. Both have made this a better story than it was. All remaining errors or flaws are entirely my fault. I hadn't meant for it to be in two parts, but the file was too large for me to upload it in one go. Part 2 is written and ready to go.
If you do make it to the end, any feedback would be gratefully received.
All characters are over 18 and bear no resemblance to real people (with the exception of the band This Is The Kit, who you should all listen to).
Happy reading.
T
The third date
Priya
He was late. At least he'd texted to apologise. Sudden deadline apparently. Still, this was not a good look for a first date. I mean, it didn't bode well for any future relationship (though this was obviously getting ahead of myself) if I was going to always come second to work. Not my idea of an equal and balanced relationship!
Ha! As if I even knew what that looked like.
Serves me right for losing the bet. The worst thing was if this didn't work out I'd have to go through two more. Jenny had got fed up with Nadine and Melissa moaning about their single status and somehow got us all to agree that the loser of the game of Rummikub we were playing would have to let the other three set them up on a date (it was a given that she, close to celebrating a year with Tom, would not be the loser). And somehow, despite me being the least vocal, I had ended up losing. So here I was.
I wish I'd brought a book. My mobile battery was getting low and I didn't want to run it down reading the paper. It was 20 minutes after our set time now, and I was one glass of wine down and starting to get hungry. I was also starting to feel rather exposed: I'd chosen a rather central table, thinking it would make it easier for him to spot me, but now it meant my solo status was on full display in juxtaposition to all the cosy couples and relaxed groups around me.
"Excuse me," I asked the tall waitress with the eyebrow piercing who had served me before.
"Can I get you another?" she asked.
"No... I mean yes, thanks, but actually.... my date is running late and I'm feeling a bit awkward sitting here..."
"Of course! Got you. Give me one sec."
Two strides of her long legs and she was behind the bar. She flipped up a glass, grabbed a bottle out of the ice bucket and poured dexterously with her left hand while her right flew over the touch-screen till. I was slightly agape. I hadn't finished: had she really understood me that quickly?
"Right, I've switched you to one of our booths by the back. More romantic anyway!" Oh, so she had! She gently pulled back my chair for me and then motioned for me to precede her. "Number 23."
"This one?"
"Yes. Here's your wine," she said as I slipped onto the cushioned bench facing the bar and door.
"Thank you," I said.
"Anything else I can get you? Some snacks?"
"That's very tempting.... But no I probably shouldn't."
"Ok. Gimme a wave if you need anything. Hope you don't have to wait much longer."
"Me too! Thanks again."
She lingered a beat with her bright blue eyes on me, then turned and smoothly moved away, snagging my empty and polishing my former table in one fluid flourish. I watched as she stuck it on the bar then, seeming to see the signal for service before it was even made, eased up to a table of six, her touchscreen order pad appearing in her hands almost like magic.
For the want of anything better to do, I watched her over the next few minutes as she weaved with economy and efficiency through the Lounge's eat-in area, occasionally popping behind the bar to fetch drinks or pulling food from the serving hatch. She was so effortless in her movements as her Converse navigated her around the room, it was like watching a dancer. I wondered idly what it would be like going clubbing with her. None of my friends seemed to share my enthusiasm for putting in serious time on the dancefloor, preferring to flit in and out, but looking at the grace of her lithe frame I could imagine her dancing until dawn.
My phone buzzed. The battery was down to 11% but I had another message:
So, so, sorry. Nearly done. Should be there in 20.
Great! Not. I wondered whether to give this up for the waste of time it clearly was. Maybe I'd just finish the wine and go.
Kate:
Was she checking me out? I swear her eyes were following me as I moved.
She was gorgeous: petite, curvy, full breasted with silky dark hair. She could totally be my type. I'd love to tangle my fingers in that hair while guiding those gorgeous lips over my body. Mmmmmm. I wondered if her date would be male or female? I'd seen her in here before, but only with women, but that didn't mean anything at all apart from the fact she was probably local.
She was looking at me again. I locked eyes with her and raised an eyebrow inquiringly, while holding up the wine bottle. She shook her head in negation and seemed embarrassed at being caught staring.
She was too cute.
Hmmm, what to do? I could talk to her a little and see if I got a hit on my gaydar, then maybe give her my number.
I looked around the bar. It was relatively quiet and we were, frankly, overstaffed. Sarah was just leaning on the bar doing not very much. I made a decision, and quickly rang through an order of veggie nachos which I knew would be ready in next to no time and paid for them.
"Sarah, will you be ok for 10 minutes if I get something to eat? I skipped dinner and there's a friend of mine here."
Not waiting for her to answer, I did a pass around the tables and checked all was ok, clearing some empty plates. As I dropped them in the kitchen, the nachos were just being plated up.
Time to find out.
Priya:
I ought to just pay my tab and go.
As I pulled out my phone to text Tim my-would-be-but-will-not-be date to cancel, it buzzed.
Sry leave now I be there asap
Hmmm. Not wild about the bad grammar. Two strikes already. Oh well, might as well wait now.
"Mind if I join you?"
I glanced up to see the blue-eyed waitress sliding into the seat opposite me, as she deposited a plate of veggie nachos between us.
"Um...." I struggled to reply.
"I'm on a break for the next 15 minutes. I figured, I'd sit with you and spare you looking like... well... a spare," she explained. "If that's ok with you..." she finished, raising that pierced eyebrow.
"Umm... sure? I guess...." Wow, that was thoughtful of her.
"You don't seem sure.... Look, I'll go as soon as your date gets here."
"No, I mean, yes, thanks, that's kind." I was actually touched: it was so lovely to think that people could just do random acts of kindness with no ulterior motive.
"You're welcome. Have some nachos: they're veggie."
"Oh I couldn't," I protested.
"No, please, I won't be able to eat them all. I'm Kate by the way," she proffered her hand.
"Priya," I said, taking her long, strong fingers in mine. "Thank you. Actually, I'm starving, so if you're sure....?"
