The Date

chapter 3

Ariel left them together, not before she muttered that she would be in the car waiting.

She doesn't want the conversation to stop, but there's no way she will leave her friend to be with this handsome stranger she just met a while ago.

“I will have to leave now, because my friend is waiting for me outside.''

''It's okay..., I knew that you were waiting for her,'' he said while smiling at her. “And, maybe if we meet again, make sure you bring enough cheese, because I wouldn't share,.”

They smiled at each other and didn’t say anything for a moment.

''I can honestly say that I’ve had the most entertaining time in this city because of you. Thanks for that.'' He reached out a hand.

“Likewise.” Rachel shook it.

“Good luck at the wedding.”

He laughed and grimaced.

She thanked him and walked down towards the door. She wished she knew what else she could do or should do to keep her talking to him and not offending her friend. She sighed and kept walking.

“Jack. Wait.'' This is crazy. Jack knew, objectively, that what she was about to do was crazy.

“Yeah?” He was staring straight towards her. “You want to give me the rest of the cheese, as a parting gift.”

Okay, here was her opportunity to play it off, pretend that that’s what she was asking for, banter with this handsome and funny man with a chisel chest one last time, then turn around and face the brutal weekend. . . Well, when you put it like that, maybe it wasn't so crazy.

''You. . . Would you be free this weekend? How long will you stay in town?'' No turning back now.

''Yes, I would stay in town throughout the week. But I'll be at home working on Saturday. I have an event at—''

''Working on Saturday - why would you be working on Saturday, you need to be out having fun, even if it's for a day? What about Saturday night? Even . . . Friday night?'' Oh please, let him be free, now that she's gone that far.

“Well, I have to—”

''Be my date this weekend? Please? The wedding isn’t until Saturday night, so that would work, right? If you can’t come on Friday night, I understand, but if there’s any way you could come to the rehearsal dinner with me. . I don’t know what I would do. Really appreciate it? Buy you all the cheese you wanted?'' How did she go from zero to babbling and pleading with this man in thirty seconds flat?

“Rachael, . ,. Are you sure?''

She smiled. With that question, she knew she’d almost gotten him.

“Positive. Come to the wedding, be my sandwich, protect me from poisoning and disaster. It’ll be your good deed for the year. And it’s only May—look at you, getting your good deed for the year done before the year is even half over!” she was so close to victory; she could tell by the smile in his eyes as she looked up at him. “Come on, Jack.” she touched his hand and gave him her pleading face. “Save me.”

He took a deep breath, and she held him as he considered.

''When you put it like that, what else can I say? I’ll do it.''

She pulled him into a hug. The way she pulled him for a hug made them laugh.

“You won’t regret this.” She pulled back and grabbed his phone out of his pocket. “Wait, give me your number.”

She typed in her number as she recited it.

''There, I texted you, so you have mine. I’ll send you all the details later.'' She turned to leave before he could say anything else.

“Okay, but Rachel, are you. . .”

See you tomorrow, Jack. Today was lovely. You're lovely. Have a great day!''

She quickly sped out of the restaurant to meet her friend, not giving him a chance to back out.

Jack stared at Rachel’s back for a few seconds. Had that really happened? Had that cute stranger just asked him to be her date for a wedding? And had he really said yes?

He picked up his phone and tried to get some work done, but he couldn't because he was still thinking about what had happened.

“Get in here!” They grinned at each other and hugged again. It was great to see her best friend, it really was. After all, this will be the last time she will be seen as being single. After Saturday, she would be married. But she was still angry about her not showing up earlier, but at least she was still glad that she didn't show up on time.

“Your dress looks amazing,” Rachel said.

''If Steve sees you right now as you're looking this beautiful, he would wed you on the spot.''

Ariel just looked at her, giving her a straight face.

''Damn, do I feel sorry for Steve now, if he has to spend the rest of his life with you? Does.... everyone you give that look to automatically spill their guts'' Alexa ate a bit of the cheese.

The real Ariel slipped out from behind her face as she grinned.

“Basically, even Steve will be amazed by the talent I have got.”

Jack took a deep breath. It had just happened a few minutes ago, and this story still didn’t seem like it had happened to him. He had to think fast and quickly, unless he would have to go on a date to a wedding he didn't expect to go.

“So...., that cute guy, did you just meet him?”

''Yes, I met him today, but., I hope this ain't one of your dating advice ....''

“But it's for your good, I don't want you to remain single for God's sake......”

Rachel nodded.

She knew her friend meant no harm, but she was only trying to help her find her soulmate, but she could do things herself..., and, by the way, the one for her would surely come.

“Okay, anything to make you happy''

Rachel agreed, because she just wanted to stop her from ranting.

“And by the way, he's handsome, and he's a good companion, otherwise you would have texted me back, like a million times, to find out where I was at that time.”