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“But right now, I feel normal. I feel hopeful.” She paused, and I could feel her watching me. “I feel safe.” I squeezed her thigh for reassurance.
When I pulled into the square’s traffic pattern, I found a space just across from the restaurant. It wasn’t a fine dining experience, but it was what we needed. Normalcy.
I got out and met her on the other side. I opened the door and helped her out, watching the slight breeze ruffle her dress and brush hair into her face.
“Is it sad that no one’s done things like that before?” she questioned as we stepped onto the sidewalk and started walking around the square.
“Things like?” I clarified.Surely, she doesn’t mean…
“You know that gentleman stuff or whatever.” Her cheeks turned pink. “The bar for being amazed is pretty low I guess, but my history with guys is different than what people would assume.”
“You’re welcome to talk to me about it, but I won’t push or demand that you do.” We stopped at the crosswalk, looking both ways before turning and continuing.
“Malcolm was never going to be the guy his parents bragged about to my parents over dinner and business. But before him, I went to this party, and I knew I shouldn’t have been there. My firstexperiencein this world was an assault. Pretty words, a pretty face, and hideous actions. After that, I had no expectations. Enter Malcolm sometime later and being treated like shit was commonplace.” She stopped as we approached the door. My hand was on the pull handle, and she laughed to herself.
“Inside joke with doors?” I laughed at the random bit of humor.
“I guess you could say that. I was following Malcolm into a store once, and he pulled the door back hard. I don’t know if he forgot about me or what, but I was right behind him when he let it go. It smacked me in the forehead.” Her laughter was growing, and her shoulders were shaking with the force.
“Okay, well, I can guarantee your dating perspective is going to change,” I said, opening the door with room to spare in front of her face. I took her hand as I followed behind her. “Also, I’ll never forget that you’re beside me, exactly where I’ve dreamed you’d end up. No one will hurt you again, I promise.” We seated ourselves and roamed over the menu.
Our waitress was quick, and our orders were placed within a few minutes. Bex started chatting about something related to one of her classes. She made a quick glance over my shoulder when the door chimed. Her smile fell and her eyes widened, but she recovered and put her cheerful face back on.
I turned and looked over my shoulder.
Brent, Daniel, and Gregory walked in like a setup for a bad joke. Gregory made eye contact first and shit himself moving behind Daniel. Brent noticed us next.
“Hey, guys!” he exclaimed with a wave as he approached like our presence was an invitation. I looked back to Bex, but she had her head down and was staring at a napkin. “You guys waiting on Mari? Is she gonna come? We could move a few tables or something, have a study dinner.”
“My intentions after dinner aren't studying,” I responded, but I was looking at Bex. She was astonished when her head popped up. Her mouth was agape and face red at the forwardness. I wished I could say I felt bad and had regrets, but I didn’t. Brent cleared his throat.
“Oh, so is this like, a date for you?” he asked, and when I gave him a once-over, he was moving his finger between the two of us.
“I mean we’ve been dating for, what? A month now, Bex?” I was being a smart ass, but I’d accept the repercussions for it. Her hand moved to her face, where she hid a smile behind her fingers. Her blush was spreading when she nodded.
“We’ve been on plenty of dates. The parties, Cliff Falls, those library dates.” She bit the inside of her cheek as I continued. “And then that movie night at your place when I spent the night,” I fibbed and threw her a wink before looking up to Brent.
Brent’s brow was furrowed, Daniel looked like he was ready to punch me, and Gregory was still as small as he could manage behind him.
“So, you’re not official?” Brent rephrased.What is his issue?
“What does official mean here? Pis, you can explain to them what I’m willing to do unofficially.” Bex looked at Daniel, confused, and I assumed Mari didn’t fill her in. He grumbled and dropped his bravado.
“Oh, well, good for you,” Brent said as he clapped a hand on my shoulder.
“Hi, guys,” the waitress broke in with her soft voice. She had the first plate for appetizers and moved to set them on our table. The guys shifted around to make room for her. “You guys enjoy these; I’ll have your dishes out soon.”
“Thank you,” I said, and Bex echoed. Instead of eating in peace and enjoying our first date moments, I looked back to the douche trio. “Look, guys, we can catch up—”
“Jai,” Bexley whispered, interrupting my push for them to leave. She focused on the carpeted floor.
“What is it?” I asked, leaning forward to see over the table’s edge.
“Carnation.” Her voice softened again. She rose from her chair, and the force almost knocked it off balance. I looked closer, and where Gregory stood next to her, a white carnation was under his foot.
“A what?” Brent asked, looking around the floor.
“Isn’t that just a flower? What are the dramatics for?” Daniel huffed and folded his arms.
