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4
London
I’ve felt uneasy all day, and I can’t pinpoint exactly why.It’s not that I’m going out on a date; I’ve done that before.I’ve been on lots of first dates and a few second ones.Very rarely will any dalliance go past that.But I haven’t had one since I tried shooting my shot with Luca six months ago.
It must just be nerves, since this is supposed to represent me initiating a firm step forward and away from my unreturned feelings for Luca.Actually, calling them feelings is too small, too inconsequential.Get it together, London.
Maybe it’s that for the first time, I haven’t told Luca what I’m doing tonight.He doesn’t know that I’m going on a blind date with a man I’ve spoken to once but have never met before.I’m broadening my horizons and doing it without my best friend’s knowledge.
He knows I’ve dated before.Heck, he’s evenencouragedme to do it.Of course in his mind, nobody has ever been good enough for me.And his opinion as my best friend has always mattered.
That could be why Ihaven’ttold him about my blind date tonight with the client’s brother, Brock.Because I don’t want Luca’s opinion about me dating clouding my judgment.
I spoke to Brock on the phone on Wednesday night and it went well enough.He was funny, laid-back, and interested in getting to know me.Tonight, we’re meeting at a steak house for dinner and drinks.It will be low-key and casual, something non-intrusive for what is, for all intents and purposes, a blind date.
We did send each other photos so that we’d at least know who we were looking for when we arrived, and he’s definitely handsome.An orthopedic resident at Northwestern Memorial Hospital too.So he’s got a worthwhile career and a bright future ahead of him.The rest of the things we need to know about each other we’ll learn in about ten minutes when I get the courage to get out of my car and step into the restaurant.
It’s just ...he’s not Luca
London: Why am I doing this again?
Violet: Because you’ve gotta stop pining after your best friend who has you so deep in the friend zone, he’ll be naming his future illegitimate children after you.
London: Vi!
Violet: Sister dear, Luca Rossi is not the settle-down-and-commit type.The closest he’ll get to a white picket fence is visiting his brothers and their tribes of kids.
She’s not wrong.Before I can reply, another message pops up.
Violet: But I also want to see my sister be happy and loved and getting the D on the regular.How long has it been now?
London: I’m totally not answering that.
Violet: And that says it all.Take my advice: switch the Luca-loving brain off for a few hours and go meet Dr Brock.
London: God, now it sounds like I’m having dinner with Dr Nick fromThe Simpsons.
Violet: LOL no.Well, for your sake, I hope not.All you’ve got to do is have a few drinks, show him a bit of leg, flirt, laugh, and most importantly, have FUN.
Violet: Also, send me a pic of what you’re wearing.I want to see if you’re showing enough of the ladies our mother blessed us with.Got to make a good impression after all.
I roll my eyes but having guessed she’d want to know what I’m wearing—she is working in fashion now, after all—I took a photo at home before I left, anticipating this question and also sending it to Val since she helped choose it.I exit the messaging app and scroll through my photo gallery, bringing up the best of the bunch that show my navy-blue Broderie dress with its dipping V-neckline and mid-length skirt with a subtle yet teasing thigh split.I quickly reopen my texts and shoot it off without looking.
Unfortunately forme, it’s not Violet who receives the photo ...it’s the last person to message me, which just happened to be Luca with a ‘What are you doing?’text.Shit.Fuck.Damn.
Luca: Whoa.Looking good, beautiful.What’s the occasion?Is this for Marco and Renee’s wedding?Because if so, I approve.You’ll be stealing the attention away from the bride in that.
Just as I go to reply, Violet texts again.
Violet: I’m waiting here ...
Instead of messaging her, and hoping it’ll slow my spiking pulse, I call her.
“You know this isn’t picture-vision, right?”my sister says by way of an answer.
I groan, banging my head against the steering wheel.“I just sent the pic to Luca instead of you.”
Vi bursts out laughing, and I can just imagine her sitting in her tiny shoebox of an apartment, glass of wine in hand, loving this development.“That’s awesome.”
