Lunch date
By time it was time to go to work, I was steaming still, today was not the day to have to work. I strapped on my customer service smile and did my job. I had a few more weeks before I could see the money from the event and I had to buy groceries. Luckily Madison has an entire wine closet, otherwise her wine habit would bankrupt us even more, but someday she is going to run out…
I feel like maybe I was being a bitch to my coworkers, taking out my frustration on them, but frankly, I didn't care. AS long as I could get through this shift, things would be better when I got home. On my first break, I checked my phone, Drew had messaged, "Hey, I was wondering if you would have time to talk to me, maybe at your lunch break?"
I took a moment to consider it, "Yes, I have lunch around 7-730 if that works?" He only responded with a huge grin emoji before I stuffed my phone in my bag. I may have felt just a tiny bit better as I headed back to the floor. It was only 5, so I had a while, but damn, did it feel like an eternity. It seemed like every time I would look at the clock every hour, it was only 3 minutes from the last time I checked.
By time my lunch break came around, I felt like I just worked a month solid. I grabbed my phone out of my bag, looking down, "Meet me out back when you're out." Taking a deep breath, I calmly walked out of the back door. Drew was standing against the wall, wearing a tank and shorts, with a ridiculous backwards hat on, "There you are." He moved to meet me halfway, embracing me lightly. "Let's walk and talk," he said, grabbing my hand.
We walked up the block now, hand in hand, feeling like a real couple for a moment, "Where are we headed?"
"Oh, your favorite froyo is back on the menu at Gillebert up the road, thought we could grab some before it's gone again."
"Really? Pineapple Paradise?" I asked excitedly.
"Yep, and I'll take any excuse to eat ice cream for dinner." He smiled big, pulling me next to him. When he put his arm around me, I felt shy again, unsure what to do. We walked slower now, stopping to stand in line in front of the store. "Well let's hope its quick at least."
I really didn't care if it took forever, this was almost perfect. I was calm for the first time all day, I kept catching myself staring at him, wanting to reach up and touch him. I played it cool, not trying to look thirsty but he kept catching me, his smile turning devious.
We made our way inside finally, him letting me out of his grip so I could order. I, of course, got the largest serving of pineapple paradise they had, and this hulking man beside me orders a small. When the cashier looks at him, "I like a woman with an appetite." He jested.
We both chuckled, getting our order and quickly made our way out. We walked side by side now, trying to make a normal pace, but not rush. We both destroyed our food quick, not even speaking while eating, which was normal for us. He smiled a bit, taking the large empty container to the trash, then moving up behind me, placing his arms around me. "So, are you in a good mood then? I was hoping last night might have helped, but you looked pretty pissed when you walked out of work just then."
"Oh, so now you remember?" I questioned factiously.
He hesitated a bit, "The more I sobered up today, the clearer it became, so yeah, I remember." He leaned his mouth close to my ear, whispering, "I remember the sounds you made last night, and the flavor on my lips…" his breathy words sending goosebumps up my arms.
"Drew," I said, shrugging him off a bit, "I'm working remember?"
He moved beside me, placing his arm around me again, "Yeah, yeah, I know. But, doesn't mean I can't help you feel the way I do."
We made it back to the café, I was already 10 minutes late, but we stood at the back door, face to face against the wall, "So what did you want to talk to me about?"
He smirked, "I wanted to see if you would like to go out with me again? This time, we'll do dinner at my place. I've got a few new recipes I have been wanting to cook for you, and we can not have to worry about who's around us."
"I won't have time for something like that until next Friday on my day off. I picked up OT this week to make sure I can get groceries."
He smiled again, shrugging his shoulders, "It's not ideal to have to wait that long, but that's fine. I work all week, so staying up all night is not conducive to being at work at 10am."
"Okay, so I guess I'll see you next week?" I said, slowly making my way towards the door.
He smirked, "Yeah, I'll text you later, if that's okay?"
I shook my head, heading back in quickly, hopefully no one noticed I was gone for so long. I finished the last half of my shift, checking my phone anxiously to see if he messaged. He had, "It was nice having lunch dessert with you today. That is about the time I am heading home from work, so it worked perfectly."
"That's as perfect as you can get for having to squeeze time in when you can because of work." I responded quickly, adding a heart emoji.
The little bubbles appeared, then disappeared a few times, I almost held my breath, anxiety shooting through me, "Maybe I can stop by again sometime? I won't stalk you or anything, just a quick dinner every now and then?"
I was excited at the idea, "Of course, that would be nice."
"Are you on your way home now?" he questioned.
"Yeah, just walked out. On my way across 27th still." I typed, walking without looking.
"Did you want me to come get you, I'm sure you're exhausted." He offered quickly, using any excuse to see me, I guess.
I contemplated saying yes, anything to get to see him, "No, I can be home by time you get here. And I don't think you want a repeat of last night."
Again the bubble teased me, driving up my anxiety, "Well, maybe not a 100% replica of last night, but something along those lines would be nice." He added a smirk emoji.
"I mean…" Adding an eyeroll emoji.
"But seriously, you're right. We said slow, and that is what I want to do. I want you to be ready." He added a blushing smile and a hug.
I took a moment to find the right words, "It's not like I'm mad about last night, or even felt an ounce of anxiety while it was happening. I just feel bad for leaving you hanging like that."
"Well, it wasn't fun per say…" He responded quickly. "But it was for the best, I really, really wanted to feel your touch, but I knew it wasn't the right time. That's why I forced you to lay down and go to sleep."
Shocked, I responded, "You just accidentally fell asleep from what I remember, I just didn't act on it like I should have."
"No lass," he started, "I pulled you into me and made you lay there until you fell asleep. I wanted to put the brakes on and if we didn't sleep it off, we wouldn't stop."
Taking a moment, I felt relief sweep over me, but guilt still crashing down on me, "So you didn't really want me to reciprocate?"
"Let me be clear," the message came quickly, "I want you so much, in so many ways and I always want you intimately, I just knew if we made love, that I might be the awkward first experience that ends up being a mistake." The bubble appeared again for a few moments, "I was really, really drunk lol."
"Drew," I typed in, my heart thudding again, "you should come over."