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I looked around at the people seated at the tables and booths and glanced at the stage that featured a live band—where I just realized the country music came from. Peanut shells littered the ground, and every once in a while, you’d hear them cracking under the heels of people passing by.
“It’s loud. The scents are a combination of sweet yet savory.” I kept looking around at the neon signs on the walls. “It’s also so colorful it almost hurts your eyes.” I looked back at Malkolm, and he watched me intently.
Is he holding his breath?
“I really like this place,” I said honestly, smiling.
He exhaled, as if waiting for my reply before he let himself feel relieved. His grin told me my response pleased him. I didn’t know why I felt a thrill move through me at that realization.
Our drinks came first, and I took a long pull of the icy cold beer. The flavor was sweet and refreshing, and I took that time to just lean back in my seat and enjoy the atmosphere. It was chaos, but for some reason, things seemed to move slower.
I finished off my beer, and the waiter was on top of things, bringing me another and doing the same for Malkolm. And because I was a lightweight, that first beer was already making me feel warm from the inside out.
The efficiency of everything was startling, and before I knew it, a massive wooden tray was delivered to our table with so much delicious-smelling meat my mouth watered. Then there was the smaller, but just as delectable, sampler tray with the sides. I knew I was staring at it with wide, saucer-sized eyes.
“That's… a feast,” I breathed and heard his deep chuckle. I snapped my eyes up to meet his and saw he was grinning, the corners of his eyes slightly crinkled as he watched me.
“It’s worth the upset stomach we’re sure to have.”
Oh, I had no doubt.
“But first,” he said and lifted up the plastic bib.
I started laughing as I did the same, unfolded it, then proceeded to put it on and tie it around my neck. I looked ridiculous, no doubt, but Malkolm and I were both grinning ear-to-ear, so I didn’t even care.
I couldn’t have even named all the different types of meats on the tray. But it all smelled and looked delicious, and Malkolm and I just dug in. I wasn't sure how long we tore into the ribs, but I was amazed—and impressed—with the amount of barbeque Malkolm could put down. In fact, the waiter came by and refilled a few of the meats that were a bigger hit than the rest, and Malkolm took those to the face like a champ.
When I was finished and didn’t think I could eat another bite, I took my bib off, grabbed a wet wipe from the waiter, Trevor, had left, and wiped off my mouth and hands. And then Trevor came back, took away the wooden barbeque tray that looked like a massacre had transpired on it, and replaced it with the desert sampler.
“There’s always room for dessert,” he said as if he read my mind that I was going to burst from being so full.
I couldn't help but grin though. “Truer words have never been spoken.”
And then we attacked that as well, with nice, easy conversation, pretty awesome surroundings, and company that couldn't be beat.
It had to have been another half hour before we were finally throwing in the towel and Trevor was clearing the table. He left us with a few mints and told us to take our time as he left the bill.
Malkolm and I both grabbed a mint, popped them in, and then the conversation turned light, with Malkolm saying funny little jokes, ones that were meant to ease the conversation so it wasn’t serious. And I was grateful for that. My cheeks hurt from the constant smile I had on my face, and the sheer relaxation and comfort I felt around him seemed so… natural.
I started talking about the relationship I had with Tatum, how our parents had never been supportive of us starting our own business, how they thought it was a waste and that we should finish college and get “real jobs.” I confided in him and was honest about not really having a relationship with my folks anymore because of their lack of support. I told him how close Tatum and I were, how I was an introvert, had really no friends, but how in life I was more than content.
I probably told him more than I should have on a first date, but a part of me wanted to just bare my soul and let Malkolm know who I was and what he was getting into.
I was falling further into this feeling that sometimes you meet a person and they were always meant to be in your life. I looked at Malkolm and was surer than ever that he was meant to be in my life, that all the waiting and longing, all the struggles and loneliness I felt, had all been leading up to this moment where our paths crossed.
