On the Rocks(63)

“Thank you. They’re beautiful,” I said as I held them up to my nose to smell them.

“I’m glad you like them. I wasn’t sure guys still gave flowers on dates. Did I overdo it?” he asked shyly.

“Not at all. It’s a really sweet gesture.”

“Good. Let’s sit,” he said. “I’m starved.”

We followed the hostess to a small wooden table in the back by the windows that overlooked the wharf. I gently placed the flowers on the floor and prayed that I wouldn’t forget they were there and accidentally crush them with my chair during dinner.

He passed me the wine list and asked, “Do you prefer red or white?”

“It’s kind of hot out, so I’d prefer white, but I’m fine with anything.”

“Great. So am I, so why don’t you pick a bottle?”

“Sure,” I said as I glanced at the list. I didn’t know a whole lot about wine, so I found a reasonably priced bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and pointed to the number as the waitress looked over my shoulder.

“I’ll be right back to take your order,” the waitress said as she left to get our wine.

Once she was gone, Pete wasted no time diving into the topic I had been praying he’d avoid. Bobby.

“So, Bobby seems like a funny guy.”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about him. He’s cool, but he has an offbeat sense of humor. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him when we first met, but he’s a good friend.”

“He seemed to like embarrassing you.”

“I guess. He’s harmless, I promise.”

“Was he drunk?”

“Sadly, no. That was him dead sober. You can imagine what he’s like after a few cocktails.”

“You seemed to handle yourself pretty well. You were actually pretty funny too. A lot of girls probably would’ve started to cry.”

“Thanks, I try.”

“I like that about you. I like girls with a little fight in them. It was a nice surprise.”

If this was what dating was like, I had been worried for nothing. It wasn’t so scary after all. Truth be told, talking to Pete was easier than talking to Ben had been for the last few months of our relationship. Maybe I would have noticed that if I’d had something to compare it to. The waitress took our orders, and we continued to have the kind of easy conversation I had thought was impossible for first dates. My heart fluttered in my chest when he spoke, a feeling I had long since forgotten and feared was gone forever. Just like that, it was back, and I felt Ben’s hold on me loosen a bit more.

After a fantastic lobster dinner, the waitress cleared our plates and brought us a dessert menu, which I politely pushed to the side. I thought the date was going great, but I didn’t want to assume that Pete wanted the night to continue. I also couldn’t afford to eat dessert with the wedding only a week away.

“Do you want dessert?” he asked as he scanned the menu.

“No, I’m okay. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth,” I lied. I wasn’t one of those girls who didn’t eat on dates, but I also didn’t need to be one who licked ice cream off a plate either.

“I’m not in the mood for dessert, but I thought the wine you picked was pretty great. Would you be up for ordering another bottle? If you want to get home, I understand, but I don’t think I’m ready for the night to end yet. I hope that doesn’t sound creepy.”

I smiled wide. “I think another bottle is a great idea. I’m having a nice time.”

“Me too,” he agreed as he waved the waitress over and ordered another bottle, and my insides continued to flutter, just a little, at the potential and possibility of Pete.



AN HOUR LATER I STOMPED up the stairs to the deck cursing and bashing anything within reach with the newly decapitated beauty queen flowers. I was reeling from shock. And embarrassment. And confusion. I was planning on throwing the flower stems in the garbage, myself on the couch, and my optimism out the window. Unfortunately, fate once again had other plans for me.

“She’s back!” Bobby yelled from a chair on the deck. He was almost invisible in the darkness, save for the orange glow of his cigarette. “How’d it go?”

“Don’t you ever go home?” I asked, embarrassed that I was going to have to relive this for him. Once was way more than enough.

“We don’t have any food at our place. Plus, I was waiting for you to get back. I feel like a proud papa sending my little girl out on her first big girl date.”

“I don’t think I can talk about it. It’s too ridiculous.” I sighed in frustration.

“Oh, stop exaggerating. What happened? Did he refuse to give you his varsity jacket or something?”

“Bobby, I just had one of the worst dates ever. I mean it.”

“Okay, again, I’m sure you’re exaggerating, but I’ll bite. Tell me what happened,” Bobby said as he battled a yawn.

I began to pace back and forth across the splintered deck in front of the grill, my anger making it impossible for me to stand still. “I can’t believe that just happened,” I said.

“You realize I’m still waiting for you to tell me, right?” Bobby sighed under his breath as he finished his beer and fished another one from the partially melted ice in the cooler at his feet. Finally, he noticed the remains of the flowers I was still holding in my hands.