"Are you okay?" I lifted my head from the leafy and green salad I hadn't gotten to the part of eating as yet. I must have been mindlessly stabbing the poor lettuce and tomato for a while now, trying my best to stay on our conversation but my mind was so much easier to find myself wandering within the confinements of–I was bad company. I guess for me Saturdays were usually popcorn and serious crime shows, pretty much. I never made plans and I was fine with having popcorn all day, and pretending that didn't say just about enough about my life, but she had dragged me to this newly opened sandwich bar and bought us lunch. Tall walls and handmade wooden tables added to its minimalistic and industrial style effortlessly–and the menu. The food was probably great but, again, my head had decided to ruin my appetite and therefore spoil my mood for good food.
"I'm sorry. . .got distracted a bit." I placed my form down carefully before I leaned forward. "I've just been sort of thinking about. . .dating a lot and not even dating but. . .being with someone in general."
Her eyes slightly widened. "You are?"
"I hate being set up, just so you know. It's awkward. . .and weird." I found myself wrinkling my nose at the very thought.
"I'd never try," she let out, brushing her luscious locks behind her slightly rounded perky ear–her sandwich long since abandoned. Her crisp white baggy sweater brought sharpness to her almost opal-colored eyes and gently highlighted the soft roundness of her cheekbones. My sweater on the other hand was a lifeless grey matching my very long skirt and my feet weren't covered in anything fancy either but I wasn't cold or utterly trash as compared to Miranda–she just was blessed in that way that she just always was put together. Forget me and my messy bun and make-up I just applied not to be rude or the fact that some of my tendrils had bounced right out of place–applying gel was just a hassle I had no time for.
My sunglasses weren't placed neatly on top of a napkin unlike Miranda's were nor were they as chic and were practically on top of my head keeping my curls from my face.
"I'm probably too. . .picky?" I slightly smiled.
Miranda set her plate of the neatly wrapped and half-eaten sandwich aside as she slightly leaned close. "Not exactly. . .and who would I set you up with? My cousin just got married. . .and every man that I know is related to Daniel or is his friend."
"Oh."
"You want me to set you up?" Her eyebrows shot up.
"I'd feel silly." I picked up my fork and went about stabbing the poor cheery tomato that was already in the worst condition.
"Why? It'd be fun."
I stabbed another tomato and it sort of split apart. "Fun? I'd mostly embarrass myself."
"Bad dates can be memorable." Two dimples graced the sides of her cheeks.
"But they're so awkward."
"You don't need to have fun?" Her brow lifted.
"I do but. . .bad dates though?" I let out a soft laugh as my eyebrow arched. "Is that the only way to have fun? Or am I too serious? Because. . .I sort of thinking I might be."
"Dates don't always go bad."
"Yeah. . .and that's what I'm afraid of."
Her eyes softened. "You're afraid you're not ready for it? I understand."
"I haven't thought about it much until recently, actually," I said, setting my salad aside. "I was kinda kidding at first but. . .I don't know."
Miranda leaned forward as a smile brightened up her face. "You want to do this?"
"Try sounds more like it." I laughed lightly.
"You sure?" Her dimples graced her face once again.
Was I sure? I had no clue if I really could be sure–it was worth a shot to some part of myself that was always willing to accuse me of being pathetic.
"I'm sure." I sighed.
"I'm trying not to. . .is that Nicholas?" Her eyebrow shot up as she looked behind me and left me no other choice but to catch my employer in a very casual space and looking a mess–I wanted to hide. There he was and his tall self and a slim figure dressed casually in a pair of jeans and a baggy soft grey sweater almost the color of my skirt. And coming our way, which was the one thing that made me wish for the ground to swallow me immediately. He sure was taking his God-given time as he strutted our way gracefully, holding a cup of what looked to be iced coffee with his left hand. I guess in some way he did look somewhat out of place or maybe I was used to him being in the office and wearing a tie that this casual side of him felt too. . .personal. I had no idea why but in that instant I wished Miranda hadn't caught him because I had to face him–I wasn't ready.
"Hope I'm not introducing." He set his iced tea down. Nicholas slightly leaned close and eyed Miranda's sandwich with a slight arch of his left brow. "Mayo?"
"It's lactose-free." Her eyes slightly lit up.
"You sure?" He smiled playfully.
"It's vegan. . .I'm sure." Miranda rolled her eyes playfully.
"Better be." He picked up his iced tea and then turned my way, something I had been dreading, and offered me a soft smile as his eyes fell on my salad. "Vegan too? You don't seem. . .like you're enjoying it much."
I shoved a curl behind my ear. "I tried."
His eyes lit up humorously. "Tasteless?"
"I. . .abselutely love it."
Nicholas's eyes slightly twinkled as soft wrinkles formed by the corner of his eyes. "You sure do. . .seem like you're enjoying it."
"Trying to." I let out a soft laugh.
"You're braver than I am." Nicholas smiled.
"What brings you here?" Miranda slightly pouted as she asked.
"I'm trying to avoid Daniel. . .because he's trying to. . .set me up again." His face slightly twisted at the last part.
"Why?" Miranda narrowed her eyes at him.
I felt a little as if I was intruding here.
"He just likes seeing me upset."
I had to note the part of him being so childlike as he rolled his eyes and I had no clue just how he always managed to make it fit in with him so well.
"You don't have time for dating." Miranda was on his side.
"I said the same thing and. . .we made a bet. . .and I lost." Nicholas's shoulders slumped heavily. "I'm so old for this."
"You enjoy being single."
"You're teasing now." Two prominent dimples popped on either side of his cheeks.
"I'm not." Her eyes sparkled softly. "This is serious."
He used his free hand to brush his hair from his face and the air met my nostrils softly, tainted by the subtle touch of his cologne. "I better leave you two then."
I tried my best to ignore it but it held on comfortably.
"I'll see you on Monday, Grace." Nicholas turned to me and ignored Miranda's light chuckle.
I nodded. "Okay."
I didn't turn and watch him walk away instead I faced a practically grinning Miranda with a lifted brow. "What?"
"He's cute?" Her lips spread wide as she continued to grin.
"Who?"
"Because he's your boss?" Her voice sweetened further.
"Nicholas? That'd be. . .I work for him!" I said through gritted teeth as I leaned forward.
Miranda tilted her head to the side."You wouldn't go out with him because of that?"
"He's–"
"Handsome."
"Is that even. . .that'll be awkward."
"Would you mind it?" Her voice lowered as tilted her head to the side.
I frowned. "If. . .I'd mind."
"Okay," Miranda said after a pause that involved her tilting her to the side and looking deeply into my eyes. "Okay, you. . .do mind."
"He's handsome but–"
"I get it." Miranda shrugged as she turned to her sandwich. "Your pick."
I just nodded because I was sure of one thing–Nicholas was off-limits.