Chosen by the Fates

A Date With Destiny

Aisling~

I am flustered as I rush home to change. I should have known my job would keep me longer than my actual shift today. I feel sweaty, frustrated about work, anxious about running late, and I smell like produce. But more than anything I am excited to get to the Rise & Grind and see Sol.

I run through the front door, tossing my purse onto my bed as I snatch a towel, and then make a b-line for the bathroom. 

"Welcome HOME!" I hear Tiffa's voice shout after me from our living room.

It is a 30 minute commute to the coffee shop, which gives me 10 minutes to get ready and out the door. The ideal amount of time to dress up for a first date. I groan at that thought. 

I've been running late my whole life. Ironically it has gifted me the uncanny ability to be unusually expedient about getting ready and out the door. I wasn't going to get that movie scene pan to how beautiful I looked all made up, but the least I could do for Sol is wash that produce smell off.

The thought of Sol while I am standing under the hot shower water causes a warmth to creep through every hidden crevice of my body. Something deep within me stirs, and I remember what it felt like to have his deep azure eyes on me. My thighs tighten and I quickly dunk my head under the running water of the shower, cutting my imagination off before it can dive into all the implications of the heat I am feeling. 

I brusquely finish soaping and rinsing, Aisling get ahold of yourself. I am out the door in 15 minutes with only eyeliner, chap stick, and nothing done to my hair. 

Tiffa shouts after me, "You look great! Go get him tiger!" My hair is still damp, and freezes instantly in the short distance between the house and the car.

When I get to the highway I drive a little faster. I have rushed as much as I am able, and now it's just a matter of reminding myself I am not a Nascar Driver on the winter roads. I take in a deep, long breath. It's an exercise my dad taught me. I learned many meditative and breathing techniques as a little girl, mostly from him. I feel my frayed nerves calm, and I remind myself to be careful, and the worst that could happen is I am a little late. 

Well at least now Sol will know about my timing problems up front. I smirk at that and shake my head at myself.

When I finally arrive at the coffee shop, I don't see any other vehicles. Maybe I'm the first one here? I pocket my keys and wallet, then head in. As I open the door I notice three tall, lean figures that look like super models. They are dressed head to toe in clothing that is perfectly cut and fitted to show off the grace and strength of their body types. Quite a difficult feat in the middle of winter when most people are wearing so many sweaters and scarves. They are hovering around the mugs and t-shirts that customers can buy while a fourth man in a dark nondescript suit appears to be ordering drinks for them all. 

I raise an eyebrow, looking them over as I take my place in line behind the man in a suit. Should I be ordering? Or waiting on Sol? I wonder to myself, then decide I should buy my own drink so he doesn't feel pressured to pay for me.

It’s the artist in me that causes me to look over everyone around me. My favorite subject for drawing is people. This is where my inner pragmatist clashes with my optimistic nature. You see, we are surrounded by beauty every day. Society is a grind, there is no magic or miracle to grant us the deus ex machina of escape. However, the world around us is filled with elemental magic all it’s own. Things like the colors in the sky, the movement of the wind, the contrast of cold air or cool water on warm skin. And with people, there are subtle traits about everyone we see that are unique to them. In my opinion, it is those discrete traits which are both unusual to others and also creates their beauty.

The man in front of me orders with the precision and efficiency of someone who is used to being a caretaker. His suit is meticulously coordinated, as if he is used to being near the public eye. But nothing he has on is flashy, as if he is not used to being the focus of people's attention. He stands straight, and speaks respectfully, as if he is used to working with people. 

Meanwhile, the three other men are dressed as if they are used to all eyes being turned to them. They carry themselves with the lazy ease of men not used to having to do small things themselves. Their bodies are fit, as if they work hard at whatever they do. Their fashion sense is on point, as if they were used to direct public scrutiny. Their faces each are respectively covered with the large brim of a hat, a huge scarf, and sunglasses. The one in the sunglasses brings a smirk to my lips, it's well past dark. 

I wonder if they are famous?

The one in the scarf has hair that is pure white. He must bleach it. The halo of the coffee shop lights on his hair reminds me of an angel, and for a brief moment I have a strange sense of Deja Vou. 

"Yes Miss, I can take your order next!" The cheerful voice of the woman at the counter cuts through my thoughts. I smile brightly as I step up to the counter, "I'm so sorry, Hi. Uhm, I'd like a Chai Latte? Extra strong, please." 

"Is that for here or to go?" She asks as she rings me up.

"For here." I smile again and I hand her my card. For half a second I think I catch the man in the sunglasses tipping them down to look me over in my periphery vision. When I cast a glance in his direction, he pivots on his heal to inspect the sale item shelf. 

"That'll be ready in just a minute." The counter girl smiles at me, and then joins her coworkers to help make the current drink orders.

I casually walk over to my usual recliner by the fireplace, flopping into it. It's not an accident that I always choose this seat by the fireplace, I am glad for the warmth. I check my watch, it is 6:18 PM. He's still not here. I frown to myself and check my phone, no messages. I bite at my lower lip, wondering if I should text him.

The doorbell rings, and I look up to see Sol stepping through with flurries of snow following after him. My heart skips a beat. He is in a long, close fitting pea coat. His scarf matches his eyes, and his hair is tousled by the cold winter winds as snow flakes drift past him through the doorway. My cheeks flush when his eyes find mine. We both smile. 

"Chai tea latte!" I hear one of the workers call out my order, and I stand up as Sol approaches. He is a full head taller than me, and I find my head tipping back to maintain eye contact as he approaches. The doorbells clang as the door shuts behind him. 

"I'm so sorry for being tardy, it is ungentlemanly to make a lady wait." His expression is sincere, his eyes searching mine. 

I am unable to contain my laughter, especially when I realize he isn't joking. "Are you kidding me? I was worried I would be the late one between us."

He raises an eyebrow and smiles, though a bit confused. "Why is that?"

For half a second I feel as if I am speaking to an old friend, and I lean in to whisper conspiratorially. "I was running late too." Too late I realize my mistake, and my senses are flooded with his scent. My body feels pulled toward the smell and heat of him. My eyes trail down his chiseled features, the crevice where his strong neck meets his scarf, his broad shoulders. He smells of pine, fresh rain, and safe. My heart rate picks up. I'm grateful he can't hear what his proximity is doing to me. Heat rises into my cheeks as I remind myself to bring my eyes back up to his. 

Sol has gone completely still. His eyes seem darker and he is watching me carefully. As if any sudden movements on my part could incite a reaction from him. Something within me wants to see what that reaction might be...My stomach slowly twists into excited knots, growing warm as my flush darkens. 

I force a smile and it feels like I am tearing myself away when I take a step back, "I - uh... I mean. I run late a lot. No need to be sorry. Stuff happens you know...?" great, now I'm babbling. I nervously run a hand through my still damp hair. 

Sol clears his throat and smiles, "Well, we are here now."

"We are." My voice is softer than I meant it to be, but I am still breathless from how good he smells.

Our eyes remain locked a moment longer before I remember my chai latte.

"Oh! My chai... I - I'll be right back." I flash my best smile.

He suddenly seems animated again, smiling and gesturing for me to lead the way as he nods.

I clench and unclench my hands a few times, trying to loosen up and ignore my racing heart. I can feel his eyes on me even with my back to him. 

I am so distracted by his attention on me that I almost miss the fact that I am being watched. I reach out to take my chai when I notice the man in the sunglasses is peering at me over their brim. I raise an eyebrow. He glances between me and Sol. Then I realize the man in the hat, and the man with bleached white hair in the scarf are also watching me curiously. I offer them a polite smile. They don't smile back, instead turning their attention to continue with their own low conversation. The man in the dark suit stands a few feet away from them, checking his phone. What an odd group.

I turn back to Sol and notice his eyes are on the men who were watching me. His eyebrows are furrowed in thought, and his posture has changed subtly. His shoulders appear more squared, and his jaw set. 

"I'm sorry I didn't order you anything, I wasn't sure what you like?" But I'd like to know what you like. I chase away the vivid thoughts my imagination peddles to me.

My voice seems to draw his attention easily back and he smiles. "I prefer certain black tea mixes with fruit, or black coffee without anything added." Whatever he was thinking seems to have passed. His gaze on me is bright and interested, his voice is the soft baritone that I find so calming. "I'd like to grab a coffee real quick. However, let me treat you next time?" His lips curl into a smirk, a twinkle in his eyes. 

I cant help but return his smile at the request. He's such a gentleman. I nod, "Of course."

With that he goes to order, and I return to my seat by the fireplace. I unbutton my jacket, and loosen my scarf with a sigh. It feels a million degrees warmer in here than it ever has before. I cast a sidelong glance at Sol as he's ordering, admiring everything about him. 

"Excuse me?" 

The voice startles me and I look up. The white haired man is standing near me. I didn't even see him approach. I smile, "Yes?"

"We are new here, we were just wondering... Is that gentleman -" He nods at Sol, "-your date?" 

My cheeks immediately flush. Sol and I hadn't actually discussed that. I mean technically Sol just asked to see me again. "I... I mean. We just met the other day-" Oh no. That sounds like I'm not interested. "I mean - I, we -" I stutter, having completely flustered myself.

For a split second I think I hear a low growl, but it must have been the clanking of a coffee cup as Sol walks up. Oh no no. He overheard... I look to him and can feel the flush of my cheeks darken as embarrassment creeps through me. But what he says next causes my stomach to flip happily.

"Yes. If the lady wishes to consider this as such, I am her date." Sol gives me a soft smile before turning his gaze unwaveringly on the man before us. Sol's low baritone is as silky as his smile, as if his reply is meant for me and me alone. I gulp, and nod at that, suddenly wanting to agree to so much more than just Sol being my date.   

I forget my surroundings for half a second, my imagination is on cloud nine. I am officially on a date with this beautiful, gorgeous, hot, gentleman.... 

The man's reply interrupts my revere. "I mean no disrespect. We are new here and simply looking for someone." He smiles politely, but his eyes lock on mine and he holds my gaze for a moment longer than feels comfortable. His brows are knit together, and he appears to be studying my features carefully. 

Sol's movements become slow and purposeful. He sets his coffee down, then gently takes the mug from my hands and does the same with it as well. I'd completely forgotten I was still holding it. Then Sol takes my hand. His touch sends shocks of electricity though my skin anywhere our skin makes contact. His hand is large and warm around mine. 

"If you will excuse us, we actually have dinner plans and should be going." Sol's voice is polite, but sounds cold as he addresses the man before us. Sol hesitates, turning his attention to me, as if waiting for my permission.  

I glance at the drinks we haven't had any of. The man in front of us appears to do the same. The man's eyes then lift to the other two men he is with as if in an unspoken exchange. 

"I'd like that" I agree with Sol. It is all the permission Sol seems to need. His gentle pull on my hand compels me willingly to my feet. I am confused, and not sure what to make of the situation as I follow Sol toward the exit.

Sol opens the door for me and we are met with a wall of cold air filled with snow flurries. As I take a step forward I feel the heat and pressure of a hand catching my left wrist. My stomach lurches, and my heart hammers in my chest. I turn slowly to see the man with the sunglasses has removed his sunglasses, and when our eyes meet I find his beautifully bright eyes searching mine. 

This time I am not mistaken about what I hear.

A low warning growl from Sol.