SCOUT
Wednesday couldn’t come fast enough.I worked my ass off at work. I took two extra shifts, not just to cover Brenda’s side of the rent, but to have a little extra cash in case Desi wanted to go eat or something. I wasn’t sure where he was taking me, but I wanted to be prepared. When I wasn’t working at the diner, I was at home, trying to figure out what to wear and what else to put on the mixtape I was making for him.
I had filled one side and was working on the B-side, but nothing felt… right. I was worried I was overthinking what was between us. I had never felt this strongly about someone. The only person I could think about was Desiderio Amato.
Desi.
He had told me to dress normal, but this was our first date. I couldn’t wear just anything. Was it even a date if it was during the day? We both worked the night shift, so it only made sense for us to see each other when we could, which was in the daytime. And, who knew, maybe our date would go into the night…
I wore a pleated black skirt and my favorite white baby doll shirt. The skirt went just under my belly button.
I put my hair up in the highest ponytail, letting my curls cascade down my back. Then, I spent an hour on my makeup, making sure I looked perfect. I had never put this much effort into a date before.
I was on pins and needles, waiting for him to come. He was late. I glanced at my watch. He said two. It was past three. Was he always late to things, or had I been stood up?
And then, a knock.
I flew to the door and opened it. Desi stood, wearing a leather jacket over his Iron Maiden shirt. His hair was styled and was freshly cut. He looked like he’d been sweating, but still, he was perfect.
“I’m sorry I’m late. I went and got a haircut and then there was an accident as I tried to get here. I was stuck in traffic for an hour.” He let out a long breath and smiled. He looked me up and down. “You look great.”
“Thanks.” I slid a curl behind my ear. “Are we still going to… wherever?”
“Yes! Come on.” He reached for my hand.
“Hold on, let me grab my keys. I’ll meet you in the car.” I locked up and turned to start down the path. Desi was standing behind his car with his hands on the trunk. He was leaning on it, looking down at the black paint. “Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, of course. Ready?” He hurried to open my door. I climbed in, and he joined me a moment later. As soon as the car was on, he turned the music up and pulled out of my driveway, speeding off toward an unknown location.
“Do I get to know where you’re taking me now?” I shouted over Whitesnake.
“No. Not until we get there. I promise it’ll be worth it. Just tell me, red or white?”
“Red or white what?”
“Just pick one,” he insisted.
“Red.” I crossed my arms.
“Good. Me too.”
He pressed on the gas and we went faster. REO Speedwagon’s “Keep on Loving You” came on and Desi reached for my hand. My heart fluttered as he glanced over and began to sing the words. Soon, we pulled into the parking lot of a large white building.
“Greco’s?” I read the sign on the front.
“It’s a gallery,” he told me as we climbed out of his car. He went around the back of his car and banged his fist on the trunk as he passed. Then he came over to me and put his arms around my waist. As if this was our movie moment, he pulled me to him and bent his neck. Our lips collided.
I hoped every kiss we had was like an explosion like the first two had been. So far, it was two for two.
He pulled away first and laughed. He wiped his lips, and a small trace of my red lipstick smeared across his hand. I pressed my lips together. Whoops.
“Worth it. You ready?”
“Can I fix my lipstick?” I asked, pulling the tube out of my purse quickly. I hurried to his side mirror and reapplied it. We made our way inside the building. Club music was pouring loudly from speakers all around us. The room was brightly lit, and we were met by a woman in all black, with a beret on her head.
“Hello, are you Desiderio Amato?” she asked him, barely sparing me a glance.
“I am. Philippe told you to expect us, I see.”
