As I arrived at the restaurant, I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror. Maybe I was overthinking this. Cole had gone all out to make me look good, but I was already planning ways to mess this date up. I wasn't ready for anything serious.
I was at the restaurant, waiting for Lia, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread. Cole had suggested that if I did things right, she'd hate me by the end of the night. But the moment Lia walked in, that plan went straight out the window.
She was stunning. Her curly hair bounced with each step, and her blue eyes practically lit up the room. She gave me a bright, playful smile, and my heart did a weird flip. This wasn't supposed to happen.
"Hey, 'Cole'!" she called out, waving dramatically as if she were greeting an old friend. Her voice was light and bubbly, exactly like the kind of person who never took life too seriously. She plopped into the seat across from me and leaned forward, all curiosity and excitement.
"So, what do you do for fun, 'Mr. Mysterious'?"
I couldn't stop staring at her. I had expected small talk, maybe even awkward silences, but Lia didn't give me a chance to be awkward. She was funny, making jokes that pulled laughter from me despite my best efforts. For some reason, I found myself laughing along, the tension in my chest loosening.
"I grew up around here, you know," she said, reaching for her glass of water. "But my mom's from New Orleans. She always says I've got the best of both worlds—Southern charm and big city hustle. What about you, Cole? What's your story?"
I froze for a second, trying to remind myself of the lie. 'Cole.' That's who she thought I was. I tried to dodge, to say as little as possible. But Lia wasn't having it. She kept asking, kept talking, and before I knew it, I was telling her more than I had planned, telling her more about myself but I avoided talking about my background.
She laughed at the smallest things—how I liked my coffee, the way I hated mornings, how I found myself walking the same street every day just to clear my mind.
"So, are you one of those 'deep thinker' types?" she teased, leaning in with a mock-serious face. "You know, the kind who stares out windows with brooding intensity?"
I chuckled. "Not quite."
Her playfulness was disarming. I found myself relaxing, lowering the walls I had put up. She told me about her childhood, a mix of cultures and cities, and how she'd never felt like she completely fit into either. Yet, she made it sound like an adventure, a journey to figure out who she was.
For a moment, I forgot why I was there. I forgot about Hank, the overprotective brother who had spent years shielding everyone, controlling everything. I was just... there, enjoying the company of a woman who saw the world in color while I had been stuck in black and white.
I was really trying to keep things cool, but it was hard. Every time she smiled, it was like this warmth just... melted something inside me. I know, I know, I'm not supposed to be feeling this, right? Cole kept warning me not to let my guard down, but come on, how could I not? Lia was just so... alive. And her eyes? They were so blue, like a clear sky after it rains. I almost wanted to tell her about all the things running through my head, but I didn't. Maybe not yet.
I caught myself glancing at my phone, thinking about Kylie. She was probably at home. I knew there was nothing decent to eat unless she cooked, and, well, neither she nor Cole was exactly a five-star chef. I smiled a little, imagining the disaster in the kitchen if they tried. So, I figured, why not order a pizza? At least they wouldn't go hungry.
I shot a quick text and ordered the pizza during the date, trying not to think too much about the fact that it was Cole who would be around with Kylie. She'd probably be fine, but I couldn't help worrying.
As the night went on, I realized I hadn't done a single thing Cole suggested. If anything, Lia probably liked me more than when we first met. And I couldn't help but like her too. There was something about her—her carefree spirit, her laughter, the way she didn't take herself too seriously—that drew me in.
When the date ended, I was almost sad. I had told myself this would be quick, that I wouldn't get involved, but... Lia was different. I hadn't been prepared for her.
"Well, Cole," she said, a playful smirk on her lips as she stood outside the restaurant, "I have to say, I had a lot more fun tonight than I expected."
"Yeah, me too," I admitted, my
Walking her to her car, I smiled and said goodbye, the image of her face lingering in my mind. But the second she drove off, the guilt kicked in. What the hell was I doing? Lia was fun, and I liked her, but this wasn't part of the plan. I wasn't supposed to feel this way.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I drove home, mentally preparing myself for whatever chaos how I'll have to deal with Cole.
Lia's POV:
Mum and Dad had been nagging me about this guy, the son of the famous Diamond Enterprise. I really didn't want to do the blind date thing. They knew me well enough to understand that I wasn't into that kind of stuff, but ever since my breakup with that chef guy, they thought they could bring it up. Honestly, it had been rough after that relationship; he was such a jerk, especially after all I did to make it work.
I've always steered clear of famous, rich guys. I wanted someone neutral, someone who wasn't always splashed across magazines and didn't have women cursing at me. But it seemed like guys would be assholes no matter their background. It had been two weeks since the breakup, and I figured maybe it wouldn't hurt to go on this date. I had nothing to lose. If he wasn't my type, I could just walk away.
Damn, he was definitely my type.
As I walked into the restaurant in my long fitted silk dress, which hugged my curves perfectly, I spotted him at our table. The sun highlighted his skin, making it look warm and inviting. His brown eyes seemed to shine as he looked at me. He was bulky in his tuxedo, and I could almost imagine the abs rippling beneath the crisp white shirt.
I felt butterflies flutter in my stomach as our eyes met. I waved at him, trying to hold a smile while suppressing the chaos going on inside me. I took a deep breath, reminding myself to play it cool.
"Hi, you must be Cole," I said as I approached, extending my hand. His grip was firm but gentle, sending a spark up my arm.
"Nice to meet you, Lia," he replied, his voice smooth and deep, which only made my heart race more.
We sat down, and I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked. His serious demeanor intrigued me, but there was something about him that suggested there was more beneath the surface.
"So, tell me about yourself," I started, eager to learn more about the guy sitting across from me.
He smiled slightly, which made him even more attractive. "Well, I'm still trying to figure that out myself," he chuckled, his humor immediately easing the tension between us. "What about you?".
I started to talk about my background, childhood.
I grew up around here but my mum's from New Orleans and lot childhood was about chaotic.
I was a bit of a lot to handle, visited my grandmother a couple of times in her hometown,where she has a farm,played hide and seek with the kids.
My childhood was lively,I enjoyed it.
So what about you ??
I asked again sensing he might be trying to avoid the question.
" Well there's nothing much to talk .
I'm not a morning person but somehow I find myself waking as early as possible to clear my head up for the day ,also , I like coffee as much as I hate mornings"
" I love books and my childhood isn't as lively as yours, It was a rollercoaster though,but I didn't get to visit grandparents like you did and I didn't get to climb trees at a farm "
I chuckled as he explained.
He really is a gentleman,I love how calm he was and how to slow he takes his words.
I noticed he was shy though but that made me like him more.
It's just our first date and I'm falling head over hills already.
I definitely have to go on a second date but how do I ask,I don't even know if he feels the same thing way.
The date finally came to an end I was almost immediately disappointed.
I had to keep the sadness off my face with a smile.
"Well Cole,I had a lot of fun than I expected",I said as he walked me to my car .
" Yeah me too",he replied
I was about to say "let's do this again but I held back, trying not to be forward".
I definitely have to figure out how to make a next date happen.
Finally,we said our goodbyes as I stepped into my car and drove off.
I really need to see him again or I'll lose it.