It was a nice day out. The hot Florida summer had started to fade into Fall. The Reitz Union had just been renovated into a snazzy student gathering space with a game room, a meditation room, and staggered theater style grass seating right outside, facing Liberty Pond. It would be the perfect spot to take Jasmine for lunch and enjoy the nice weather.

When Jasmine walked away to class, it left me about an hour to put together a picnic. I ran, literally, off campus to Phil’s Market. It was my favorite sandwich shop and only two miles through campus from where the Food Science building was. I ran a four-minute mile, but I obviously couldn’t sprint through campus like I wanted to or I’d look like a crazy person.

Phil, the owner of Phil’s Market, was an elderly man from Portugal, who loved soccer or football as the rest of the world called it. He followed two teams religiously: The Florida Gators and currently Real Madrid, the team Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portuguese forward, played on.

With my Argentinian background, I naturally was a Lionel Messi fan. This fact was a matter of contention for Phil, who loved to bust my chops since Messi and Ronaldo were supposed rivals.

From his usual position, right behind the sparkling clean countertop, Phil’s smile greeted me. “What can I get the best player on the Gator soccer team?”

Jogging up to lean on the counter, I gave the blackboard behind him the once over. “I’ll take a turkey brie and green apple on a toasted baguette.”

“I didn’t think Ronnie liked brie?” Phil chuckled at his own joke.

I laughed too. “Good one, Phil. We all can’t be like Ronaldo. Except for one person: Messi.”

His meaty fist raised high into the air as he made a hearty laugh. “Ay, ay, ay! Blasphemy in my shop!”

I scoured the list of yummy sandwiches to find one more of the delectable delicacies. “I’ll also take a Phil’s Cubano on a Cuban roll.”

Phil’s eyebrows raised. “Two sandwiches?”

I felt goofy all of a sudden and on the spot. “Yes. I have a lunch date.”

Phil hit the counter with his palm. “Ay! Lucky girl! It’s about time you had some romance in your life. All you ever do is soccer and study. Study and soccer!”

Feeling a bit shy for some damn reason, I shoved one hand in my pocket and the other through my hair. “This girl is special.”

His fast hands got to work on my sandwich as he gave me a wink. “Ya? Tell me about her.”

“She has the prettiest big green eyes. Smart. Mature. Actually, works in her father’s restaurant. Not a lot of students at UF work and go to school like I do. I’m so impressed with her.” I felt myself smiling. Just the thought of her made me smile.

Phil pointed at me with his large carving knife as he looked at me thoughtfully. “You need a responsible girl like that. Someone who can understand you.”

He handed me the Cubano. The sandwich was warm in my hand. I just knew Jasmine would love the food I was bringing her for lunch. I hoped so anyway. It wasn’t like I had a clue what her tastes were. But she was into food, so I was putting all my money on Phil’s badass sandwiches.

Stuffing everything into my backpack, I waved to Phil as I pushed the door open with my back. “Thanks again, old man.”

“It’s no problem. Enjoy.” Phil vigorously waved goodbye. “Good luck with the girl.”

Glancing at my iPhone, I saw that I had twenty minutes to get back to the Food Science building to meet Jasmine. I ran across campus again in anticipation. After Jose Fontaine came out that night to tell me Jasmine was too busy for dating, I was sure I’d never see her again, especially after seeing the look on Fontaine’s face. I could tell he was trying to keep it together, but his anger of me asking his daughter out was palpable.

I kind of understood where Jose was coming from. My father was protective of my two little sisters, Trista and Carmen, but they were still in high school. I wondered if my dad would continue his iron grip over their whereabouts and activities when they were no longer teens.

With five minutes to spare, I made it back to the Food Science building. Out of breath and dripping with sweat, I sat on a concrete bench, trying to look as relaxed and casual as possible.

When Jasmine came out, I jumped up to greet her. “How was class?”

“It was wonderful.” Her green eyes shone with enthusiasm. “Introductory to Food Science. I’m so excited for this semester. I already love all my classes.”

“I thought we’d have lunch in front of Liberty Pond.” Gingerly, not trying to freak her out about it, I took her hand in mine, leading her to the pond. She did notice though, and I caught her looking at our clasped hands with a quick glance, but she didn't protest which I thought was a good sign. "It's right next to the Reitz Union, not too far from here, so you won't be late to your next class."

Jasmine smiled as she cocked her head, coyly. “Ok. That sounds fun.” Her hand in mine had me walking on air. Girls usually didn’t affect me so much. It was all new to me, but a great kind of new. A new I wanted to fully experience. If she’d let me.

We sat down on a grass step in front of Liberty Pond. She sat upwind from me, the cool breeze moved her sweet scent through the air, finding my nose. I couldn’t help but take a deep breath, pulling her essence into my lungs, my body.

If I had thought for even half a second that she’d let me kiss her, I would’ve done it right then and there. The same way I had done with dozens of girls. But I wasn’t about to try to move too fast with Jasmine. I could tell there was something so innocent about her. If I moved too fast, I’d scare her off before I even got to know her, and I desperately wanted to get to know her.

So unlike my usual approach to the female gender.

I put my old ways to the side, deciding to go with humor. She seemed like she’d fall for humor rather than my usual seducing ways.

I handed her a mineral water and held out the turkey and Cubano sandwich. “I had to run halfway across the world to get these. I have a turkey and brie on a toasted baguette and a Cubano on a Cubano roll? First pick is yours, my lady.”

“I’d love the Cubano please.” The way her dark eyes twinkled made it hard for me not to grab her, toss her onto her back and kiss the ever loving shit out her. But I was going for a bit more than a roll in the hay with this one. I gave her the sandwich she asked for. “Is this from Phil’s?” She peeled back the wrapper, giving the Cubano a good look.

Mimicking the man, I heaved a fist in the air, Phil’s signature move. “Ya!”

Her laugh rippled on the breeze. It was sweet, charming, and it very inappropriately made my cock thump. “Phil is such a sweetie. I love his sandwiches.” She took a dainty little bite then moaned as she chewed it. “I love this, Alex. Thank you so much. You’ve made my first day something to really remember and cherish.”

“Awe, it’s nothing, really.” I felt a little rush of excitement that I’d made her day simply by bringing her lunch. “You know Phil?”

Jasmine shrugged. “Well, yeah. Everyone in the food biz knows my father, you know? Especially after that Netflix documentary. Like, literally, everyone knows my father.”

Just then, Dr. Dupree walked her way up the grass steps. “Alex!” She waved, smiling at me. Looking at Jasmine, she stooped to hug her. Jasmine jumped up to hug her back. “Jasmine! It’s good to see you!”

“Hi, Rebecca.” Jasmine hugged her. “Good to see you too!”

“How is your father?” Rebecca jokingly elbowed her in the ribs. “Still ornery?”

Jasmine was all smiles. “Of course!”

She was Rebecca to Jasmine, but she’d always be Dr. Dupree to me. She turned her attention to me. “Alex, I just read your lab report on your bugs. It looks like they’re coming along spectacularly. Keep up the good work. You have the meticulousness and patience of a scientist. You should consider a career in academic research.” She paused as if just remembering that I already had a career in mind. “If you ever decide not to pursue soccer professionally that is.”

“Thanks, Dr. Dupree. I love working in your lab. And it does help me pay the bills.” Even bad boy jocks have bills to pay. But I doubted most of my conquests knew I was a lover of bugs.

Dr. Dupree stepped back to look at us both with a sly grin on her face. I knew she had to be wondering what we were doing together. We couldn’t have been more opposite. “I’ll leave you two to lunch.” She gave us a wave as she climbed up the grass stairs, leaving us alone once more.

The disgusted look on Jasmine’s face had me laughing. “Bugs?”

“A man has to make money, girl.” I shrugged. “I work for Dr. Dupree in her lab, studying how diet impacts female mate choice in leaf-footed cactus bugs.” I took a sip of my mineral water to let her digest that little tidbit about me.

She nodded as she contemplated what I’d said. “Wow. I never considered diet having any impact on mate choice.” She took another bite of her Cubano, looking genuinely interested in my research work.

With that interested look on her pretty face, I decided to go on, “That’s what we’re trying to figure out. Leaf-footed cactus bugs feed on the prickly pear cactus all year long, but the bugs eat different parts of the cactus depending on the season.”

Jasmine nodded her head while chewing, encouraging me to keep talking about my bugs. “Go on Alex. This isn’t something I’ve ever thought about. But I have to say I find it interesting. You’re a lot deeper than I first gave you credit for.”

And with that compliment, I went on, “In the spring, the cactus bugs eat the cactus flowers, by June they’re eating on the green fruit, and by Fall, the bugs feast on high quality ripened green fruit. What we’re trying to answer is: are the females choosing their mates based on the mate’s quality, you know like body or leg size, or the quality of the cactus the males are feeding on?”

Her smile told me she was impressed with my brain. Not a thing I often showed girls. “That’s fascinating. Food and mate choice. Who would have thought?”

“Exactly, right? So when you talk about food science. I’m sort of studying the same thing in a way. Dr. Dupree believes that not only should we study the bug, but we should study what the bug is eating and how that food source affects behavior.” I pulled out a mini cheese board and offered it to Jasmine.

She grabbed a Camembert piece. “That’s so cool. I can’t believe you’re doing research as an undergrad.”

“I really enjoy Biology.” I popped a piece of Drunken Goat cheese into my mouth. “You could just as easily get an undergrad research position too. Especially, with your knowledge of food products and preservation.”

Jasmine’s face dimmed. “I just wouldn’t have the time. I’m working at my dad’s restaurant every moment I’m not in classes.” Her gloom only lasted momentarily. “Anyway, I’m just glad I’m here!” She glanced at her watch. “Shoot. I’ve got 8 minutes to get to Biochem.” Hurriedly, she stood, gathering her sandwich wrapper and tossing it into a nearby trash can.

I scrambled to my feet, chucking my lunch trash too. “I’ll walk you.” I took her hand. “So you know, you don’t get lost on the way. I’d hate myself if I heard they had to put a search party out for you if I left you on your own.”

Jasmine giggled, stopping me from my rambling. “I’d love for you to walk me back.”

We walked back to the Food Science building. It loomed ahead of us, and I hated our first date was over. Not that either of us called it that, but that is what it was.

We stopped, our joined hands swinging only slightly between us as she turned to me with a bright smile on her sweet face. “Thank you so much for lunch.”

Pulling her hand out of mine, I already missed her. She began to walk away when I suddenly remembered I had forgotten something very important. “Can I have your number?”

She walked back to me with a gigantic smile on her face. “I thought you’d never ask.” We exchanged our phones to type each other’s contact info into them then giddily swapped them back.

Jasmine briskly walked away, calling over her shoulder, “It was the perfect picnic, Alex. Thank you.”

I watched as she entered the building, already dreaming about when the next time I would see her again. Jasmine was drop-dead gorgeous, grounded, and mature. Someone that I could talk to, even about my bugs. Against everything I had learned about dating, I immediately texted her, -Hi again. Have a good rest of the day… Alex.-

I figured she was already settling into class and had powered her phone off, but I couldn’t help but text her right away. I couldn’t wait to talk to her again. So not like me.

As I walked away, I got a text from Jasmine, -You, too. Jasmine :)- I floated the rest of the way to Dr. Dupree’s lab, excited to tell my bugs about our first date.