The Date

chapter 1 Jack walked into one of the best restaurants in Pennsylvania that Thursday evening in a business casual of a white polo-shirt and black slacks, seated at the table reserved for him and his friend. He took a look at the menu in order to get something to drink, because his best friend ditched him in order to be with his girlfriend who had lost a relative, which was perfectly okay, but he hadn't been informed earlier. A few minutes later, a beautiful brown-skinned lady in a white corset top and blue denim approached him smiling; asking if she could sit, signaling to the available seat next to where she was standing. ''Sorry to bother you on this beautiful evening, my reservation got canceled, and I am waiting for a friend. If you don't mind, can l keep you company if you don't have anyone you are waiting for'' she asked. ''Yeah sure, thanks. I was actually thinking that I would spend this fine evening alone,'' he said. ''Good thing this table isn't occupied'' she said, smiling. ''I hope I won't be intruding on your time alone.'' “Nope, it's fine, I don't want to spend it alone after all.'' Stuff like that never happened to her. Not the canceled reservation, her life is full of minor crises like that. It was being on what seemed like a date with a hot guy. That was the unusual part. She was always the one that was next to a chatty toddler or nerd, never to a hot guy. After about a minute of him placing an order for the martini for both of them. ''Well...'' She paused and smiled at him. “Wait, I don't even know your name of my date.'' ''Jack" he said, smiling," and what about you? " Rachel," she said smiling Her phone lit up just then with a text from her friend Ariel. I will be there soon. I just got caught in traffic. "Hmm, I kinda figured that out." Rachel held her phone up before she texted Ariel back. Get here as soon as you can. He glanced at her phone, and back up to her. ''That must be a pretty special friend with the way you're smiling.'' "A very special friend," she said, and his grin got wider. ''Wait, not what you're thinking! She's a friend! and she's getting married this Saturday.'' ''Hmm l get.'' He laughed. ''Okay, yes, I did think it was that kind of special person. Do you two have a hot night in the city planned?" “Sort of. We’re celebrating. We just want to do some things together before she gets married and won't have time because she will be with her husband all the time!'' Rachael smiled down at her drink before looking back up at him. Not even her favorite thing could compete with this dude. He narrowed his eyes at her. Light brown eyes, with a really dark rim around them. His eyes were so pretty that she looked away again. Thank God her brown skin meant her cheeks couldn’t get too pink, otherwise he’d be able to see them glow. ''Okay, I’m happy for your friend. Sending in my wishes for the wedding'' ''Okay I will,'' she blushed. ''So, are you a guest here, Jack? I mean where are you coming from?'' she asked because she didn't want him to ask any questions about marriage. “I flew in from New York, and you?'' “I live here, well in River Wards anyway.'' So what makes you come over anyway? ''I was supposed to be here with a friend, but his girlfriend lost a relative. That is why I am here alone.'' ''Oh my condolences'' she said, ''Thanks'' he said. Rachel looked down at her purse full of treats before looking back up at him. If you don't mind, what is in that bag? You keep looking at it like it holds the Holy Grail.'' She laughed. Just a few snacks. Drew scooted closer to her and looked in her purse. Alexa pushed it toward him, so he could see it better. She never let people poke around in her purse, but hey, this was a cute guy and on an unplanned date. Have you been on a date with someone who wants to eat someone cheese in one of the fancy restaurants? No, but come on, cheese and crackers are obviously the best possible option here. Firstly, you had the foresight to bring a soft cheese, so we won’t need a knife to cut it and attract any attention; we can just use the crackers to pull off bits and spread it with our fingers. And second, have you not ever enjoyed cheese and crackers? Ever not think, ‘Oh boy, these cheese and crackers are exactly what I need right now’?'' She considered it at that moment. “Stop, no, stop even thinking about it,” he said. ''You know the answer is no. Cheese and crackers are objectively the perfect snack.'' She laughed and pried his fingers away from the box of crackers. ''Okay, fine, you’re right. But you didn’t talk me into sharing my after snack of cheese and crackers with you.'' He stretched his legs out along the floor and took another glance at her purse. Okay fine. He smiled.