The Last First Date

The Rules We Made

Chapter Five

The Rules We Made

Three days after their coffee meeting, Amara received a message from Daniel.

Daniel: I think we need rules.

She stared at the message.

Then she laughed.

Amara: Rules?

Daniel: Yes.

Amara: For friendship?

Daniel: Exactly.

Amara: You're serious?

Daniel: Very.

Amara smiled.

Amara: Okay. What kind of rules?

The reply came quickly.

Daniel: No expectations.

Amara thought about that one.

It made sense.

Amara: Agreed.

Daniel: No lies.

Amara: Agreed.

Daniel: If either of us needs space, we say so.

Amara nodded to herself.

Amara: Agreed.

There was a pause.

Then Daniel sent:

Daniel: And no disappearing without an explanation.

Amara's smile faded slightly.

That rule felt different.

It was more personal.

She remembered what it felt like to wait for someone who had stopped answering her messages.

She remembered checking her phone repeatedly.

She remembered making excuses for someone who wasn't making any effort to stay.

She typed slowly.

Amara: Agreed.

Daniel: Good.

Amara: Anything else?

Daniel: Don't fall in love.

Amara stared at the screen.

Then laughed.

Amara: Very funny.

Daniel: I'm serious.

Amara: That's not a rule you can control.

Daniel: Fair point.

She put her phone down.

For some reason, that last message stayed in her mind.

Their friendship grew quietly.

There was no dramatic moment when they suddenly became close.

It happened through small things.

A message in the morning.

A phone call after work.

A funny picture.

A quick coffee.

A conversation that lasted longer than either of them expected.

Daniel became the person Amara could call when she had a terrible day.

Amara became the person Daniel called when he needed someone who wouldn't pretend to agree with him.

One Thursday evening, Amara was working on a presentation for an important client.

She had spent nearly two weeks on it.

Everything had to be perfect.

The colours.

The layout.

The branding.

The presentation.

She was confident.

Until the client arrived.

Twenty minutes later, that confidence was gone.

"This isn't what we wanted," the client said.

Amara forced a smile.

"I can make adjustments."

"We expected something more creative."

She nodded.

"I understand."

"And the colours don't work."

"I can change them."

"And honestly, I'm not sure this direction is right."

Amara nodded again.

By the time the meeting ended, she felt exhausted.

She returned to her desk and stared at the screen.

Her phone was beside her.

She picked it up.

She almost called Tolu.

Instead, she called Daniel.

He answered on the second ring.

"Hey."

"Hi."

He immediately noticed her tone.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"That's not true."

Amara sighed.

"The client hated everything."

Daniel was quiet.

Then he said, "Did they give you specific feedback?"

"Some."

"Then it's not everything."

She smiled slightly.

"You sound like a motivational speaker."

"I'm trying."

"It isn't working."

"Okay."

There was a pause.

"Do you want advice or do you want me to listen?"

Amara leaned back in her chair.

"Listen."

"Okay."

And he did.

She talked.

She complained.

She explained everything the client had said.

Daniel never interrupted.

When she finished, he said,

"You're good at what you do."

Amara looked at her screen.

"I know."

"Then don't let one difficult meeting make you forget that."

She smiled.

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

She hung up.

For the first time that evening, she felt better.

The next afternoon, Michael noticed something.

Daniel was smiling at his phone.

Michael leaned over.

"Who are you talking to?"

Daniel immediately locked his screen.

"No one."

Michael laughed.

"That was suspicious."

"It's not suspicious."

"Is it Amara?"

Daniel looked at him.

"Why do you care?"

Michael grinned.

"Because I've never seen you smile at your phone like that."

Daniel shook his head.

"We're friends."

"Of course."

"We are."

"I didn't say you weren't."

Daniel looked back at his computer.

Michael studied him.

"You're falling for her."

Daniel didn't answer.

"Daniel."

"I'm not."

"Okay."

"I'm serious."

"Sure."

Daniel sighed.

"I don't want to ruin this."

Michael's teasing expression disappeared.

"Why would you?"

"Because she's afraid."

"Of what?"

"Getting hurt."

Michael nodded.

"And you're afraid too."

Daniel looked at him.

Michael smiled.

"Don't forget that."

That evening, Amara and Daniel met for coffee.

They sat outside.

The weather was calm.

Amara looked at him.

"Do you still remember our rules?"

"Of course."

"No expectations."

"Yes."

"No lies."

"Yes."

"No disappearing."

"Yes."

"And..."

She paused.

Daniel smiled.

"Don't fall in love."

Amara laughed.

"Exactly."

They looked at each other.

Neither noticed how long the silence lasted.

Then Daniel said,

"That's going to be the hardest one."

Amara's heart skipped.

She looked away.

"Good thing we're friends."

"Exactly."

But neither of them sounded convinced.