Chapter Four
Janie
My heart was beating rapidly as I stared in the mirror at my reflection wondering if I’d overdone it with the mascara and eyeliner. My brown eyes were sparkling for all they were worth, but I wasn’t sure if that was due to the gold glitter eyeshadow I’d applied a bit too thickly. I frowned as I stared at myself. Maybe I was looking a little bit too glam for a first date. I groaned as I looked at my outfit, a black crop top that emphasized my boobs and a pair of tight black jeans that were just a little bit too tight. I quickly took a photo of myself to send to Anabel to get her feedback before I left my house to meet up with Dylan at the bar. I hit send and waited for her response, before once again applying the flat iron to my hair to make it as sleek and straight as possible.
Ring Ring. My phone started buzzing a minute after I hit send.
“Hello,” I said as I picked up the phone, pouting my lips out to make them look fuller.
“Why do you sound so funny?” Anabel said in response.
“Just checking my lips,” I said as I reapplied some lip-gloss.
“Why are you all dressed up?” she asked, her voice suspicious.
“For my date.” I squealed in excitement. “I texted you and told you I was meeting Dylan tonight.”
“You want to get all dressed up for a first date? What are you thinking?” she almost shouted into the phone. “You don’t even know this guy.”
“But I will know him tonight. I might as well live my life. Everyone else is doing what they want.” I was slightly giddy as I shouted back into the phone.
“Oh my gosh, Janie. I’m not even supposed to be on the phone right now, but I do not think this is a good idea.”
“Dylan is a good idea. Trust me.”
“Who?” She sounded confused.
“Dylan!”
“Who is Dylan when he’s at home?”
“Anabel, I told you in my text. Dylan is the hot guy from the app.”
“The guy you had just matched with when I was leaving for work, right?” Her voice dropped. “Are you shitting me? Janie, you are already meeting him right away. This is way too quick as it is. Do not show up that dressed up. Or should I say sexed up?”
“I know, I know. Can you believe my luck?” I grinned at myself in the mirror, trying to practice my sexiest smile and ignoring the fact that she didn’t think it was a good idea. Anabel had always been a Debbie Downer. “So, what do you think of my outfit? It’s not too much, is it?”
“Not if you want it to come off,” she said sarcastically.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked her wishing I could see her face. “Are you saying I look slutty?”
“Now would I ever use the word slutty?” Anabel sighed. “I don’t clothes shame, but yes, you definitely look like you’re interested in getting some tonight.”
“Getting some what?” I said.
“What do you think?” She sighed and then giggled. “Bow chicka bow wow. By the way I don’t know why I’m laughing. I do not think this is funny. Also have you heard from Nate at all?”
“Anabel. You know I’m not that sort of girl.” I laughed back. “I mean I do want to look hot and sexy, but I’m not about to just get it on. Not right away. Just because he’s super-hot and I want to get laid doesn’t mean I’m going to drop my panties for him right away. And no. I haven’t spoken to Nate. Why do you keep asking me about him?”
“Janie, you don’t even know if this Dylan is going to be super-hot in real life. What if he’s catfishing you? And I can’t ask about Nate? He’s your other best friend.”
“Dylan is not catfishing me,” I said and then paused as I thought about it. “Oh God, what if he’s some sixty-five-year-old balding man with no teeth. Ugh.” I sighed. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
“I mean, I doubt that’s going to be the case, but even if he is as hot as you think he is, is that the first impression you want to give him?”
“What impression?”
“That you’re up for a good time?”
“I am up for a good time.” I shrugged to myself, even if I wasn’t sure if that was technically true. I’d never been up for a good time, in the hookup sense, before, but was willing to try.
“Janie, you’ve never had a one-night stand or even a casual fling,” Anabel was whispering frantically. “You don’t want this guy to think that you’re too eager.”
“Eager for what?”
“To get laid.”
“Might not be so bad.” I giggled. “I want to have some fun.”
“Ugh, I wish you hadn’t agreed to meet up with him so quickly. You don’t even know anything about him.”
“I know that he looks like he might be a hottie.”
“Janie! Is that really enough?”
“Right now it is.” I laughed. “Look Anabel, I gotta go. I’ll tell you all about the date when I get home later tonight.”
“If you go home tonight,” she muttered.
“I promise, I will come home tonight. Okay, Mom?”
“Hmmm,” she grumbled and I hung up on her. I knew that Anabel meant well, but I didn’t really need for her to lecture me or worry. I already had Nate for that. And there was a reason why I wasn’t telling him all the details about my journey into the world of online dating or the fact that I already had a date that I was going on tonight. I jumped up and down in excitement for a few seconds. I couldn’t believe it. I was going on a date. After ages. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been on a date. I needed this. And hey, if Dylan wanted to hook up, whatever. I could still flirt with him and have a good time. And frankly, I’d feel kinda stoked if Dylan was that into me that he’d want to bed me right away. A man as hot as Dylan looked like he was able to be with any woman he wanted. If he chose me, then that would have to mean that he found me attractive. Beautiful even. My self-esteem could do with the boost. As I walked into my room to get my handbag, my phone started ringing and I could see that Nate was trying to call. I made a face at the screen wondering if Anabel had texted him and told him to call me to stop me from doing something stupid. I decided not to pick up. I didn’t need him calling to dissuade me and tell me what to do.
“Tonight is going to be a good night.” I smiled to myself as I ignored his call and walked out of the front door and toward my car. Tonight was going to signal the start of a new life for me. A new exciting crazy sexy life. And I was ready for all the new journeys and adventures that that would entail. I looked down at my boobs at winked. “Here’s to you, hot stuff.”
***
“Just breathe, Janie,” I mumbled to myself as I walked into Bond Bar, the cozy place that Dylan had chosen for us to meet for a drink. I could see him sitting in a corner waiting for me and I was having a hard time stopping myself from jumping up and down in glee. Dylan was even more good looking in person than he had been in his photographs. I could hardly believe my luck. I walked slowly in my heels as I headed toward him because I didn’t want him to think I was clumsy if I stumbled.
“Janie.” He stood up with a huge smile and walked toward me. “Is that you?” He grinned at me and I could see his blue eyes sparkling (without the help of mascara, eyeliner or eyeshadow) as he headed toward me.
“Yes. Dylan?” I tried to give him a sweet sexy smile, but I wasn’t really sure what expression was on my face. Maybe one of awestruck happiness.
“Yes.” He reached in and gave me a hug and I felt my skin tingling as I felt his warm body pressing into mine for a few seconds. I swallowed hard as he stepped back away from me and I sniffed a whiff of the most deliciously potent cologne I’d ever smelled on a guy. Well, asides from Nate.
“Nice to meet you,” I said as we stood there for a few seconds.
“You too. I’m so glad you were able to fit me into your schedule tonight.” He gave me a boyish smile and I just stared at his handsome face. How was it possible for him to be so handsome?
“Well you know. I tried my best and was able to fit you into my hectic schedule.” I flicked my hair as I lied. He didn’t need to know that my evening schedule normally consisted of me going through Netflix and trying to decide upon a show to watch. I paused for a moment as I remembered that I’d just accepted his offer of a date a mere few hours ago. Who was I kidding? He knew I’d been free tonight.
“What would you like to drink?” he asked me as he waited for me to sit down first. I could feel butterflies in my stomach at his chivalry. “And are you hungry? They have some good snacks here.”
“Ooh what are you drinking?” I asked, not wanting to order something weird. Now didn’t seem like the right moment to ask for a sex on the beach.
“I’m drinking an IPA right now, but they also have really great cocktails if that is more up your alley.” He took a seat next to me and I nearly melted as I felt his thigh pressing against mine. I gave him a side-look and a small smile and it was all I could do to not pull his face toward mine and give him a big kiss. I wanted to so badly and figured he might even be into it, but I’d only been here for one minute. I didn’t want him to think that I was a complete and utter ho. At least not this early into the date. I giggled as I wondered what he would think if I put my hand on his thigh.
“Oh, what’s so funny?” He gave me an adorable smile and I bit down on my lower lip. Get it together, Janie, I lectured myself internally. You’re acting like a complete and utter loser. Not to mention I was as giddy as a teenager.
“Nothing.” I shook my head. “A cocktail would be nice. Do they have a menu?”
“Yes, here we go,” he said as he handed it to me. “I was thinking maybe we could share some of the appetizers as well. They make some really tasty food.”
“Sounds good to me,” I said as I looked down at the menu and tried not to flinch as I looked at the prices. Oh God, this place was expensive. If he expected me to go Dutch with him, I was going to be crying for days. Twenty dollars for one cocktail and appetizers that started at fifteen dollars each. Say what? I tried to not cringe as I mentally worked out how much my half of the bill would be if he accepted my offer to pay at the end. I knew I could always not offer, but that made me feel like less of a feminist. “What do you suggest?”
“Let’s get the lobster bites, and the petite filet mignon and some of their special Kennebec fries.” He looked back down at the menu. “Ooh, and maybe the stuffed mushrooms.”
“Oh, okay.” I nodded at him, happy that he seemed to enjoy good food, but worried because all the items looked way expensive. Did I really want to spend this much on a first date?
“Anything you see that you like?” He grinned. “I want this to be a special first date for you. I want to treat you right.”
“Oh, you don’t have to treat me,” I said, figuring that this was a way to figure out if he was expecting me to pay half.
“Of course I do. A pretty lady like you deserves to be treated with the finest that money can buy. I want to spoil you.” He reached out and touched the side of my face and I stared into his eyes breathlessly. This was the best first date ever. I felt like I was in a dream and I never wanted to wake up from it. No one had ever said they wanted to spoil me before. I ignored the warning bells that were going off in my head saying that this was all too good to be true.
“Wow, well thanks,” I said, not really knowing what to say. I’d never been in a situation like this, with a man like this and especially a man I didn’t even really know. My stomach thudded for a second as I realized how dumb I was possibly being. Maybe Anabel was right. Maybe I should have chatted with him a bit more before agreeing to meet up with him. I was supposed to be more mature now. I didn’t know anything about Dylan. Shit, I couldn’t even remember his age? I knew I was being impetuous, but was I also being stupid? In that moment, I wanted to speak to Nate. As bossy as he was and as father-like as he could be, I trusted him implicitly. I wished now that I had told him where I was.
“Would you like a pear martini?” he asked me as he sat back slightly, his eyes still not leaving mine.
“Sure, thanks.” I gave him my most winning smile and sat back. His gaze was a bit intense, but overall, he seemed like a nice guy. I decided to text Anabel and Nate my location when Dylan got up. Just in case. Nate would wonder what I was talking about, but I could tell him more later.
“Let me go up and order and then we can chat.” He beamed at me and I watched as he walked away. I sat there for a few seconds feeling excited and then a weird feeling of worry and apprehension hit me. What exactly was I doing here? Was this a totally weird situation? Why was Dylan so happy to see me? A part of me wanted to jump up and move away from him. What was I really doing here? I grabbed my phone and quickly sent a text to Anabel. On a date at this address. Come look for me if I don’t text by midnight. I quickly stuffed my phone back into my handbag and looked around the bar to make sure it didn’t look super seedy. I thought about texting Nate as well, but decided against it. He could be bossy and controlling at times and I didn’t need him grilling me about my date and how I’d met him. For all I knew he would show up at the bar and that would just be super embarrassing.
“Hey, you look deep in thought. You okay?” I nearly jumped as Dylan made his way back to the table. His face looked slightly concerned and his eyes searched mine. “It’s normal to be overwhelmed, if that’s what you’re feeling right now.”
“Thanks, this is just all really new to me.” I gave him a smile, wondering if I was that transparent. “I’m not even really sure what to say.”
“We can talk about whatever you want to talk about. Or you can quiz me on topics that are important to you and I will try and figure out some answers.” He laughed. “Granted I don’t know that I’ll be able to answer too many of your brilliant questions.”
“I don’t know that I can think of any questions that can stump you.” I laughed. “But I can give it a try.”
“I love your laugh.” He leaned toward me and smiled widely. “You have such a pretty smile.”
“Thank you.” I batted my eyelashes at him. “Your smile isn’t so bad yourself.”
“Why thank you, beautiful.” He reached over and touched the side of my face and I froze as he leaned closer toward me. Was he going to kiss me? “There’s actually something I wanted to ask you,” he said softly and I took a deep breath as I waited for him to continue.
“Yes, what is it?” I asked him, after a few seconds of silence. My heart was racing and my skin felt hot. The drink was already starting to go to my head and I was starting to feel giddy. Was he going to ask me to hook up with him? And if he did, what would I say? I hadn’t had a hookup in years. In fact, not since that night with Nate and I hadn’t realized at the time that it was just going to be a hookup. I could feel my stomach stirring and I determined to take my mind off of Nate. I tried to not remember our past too often as it still made me angry and he was a much better friend to me now that we’d reconnected.
“So, Janie …” Dylan’s voice was husky as he reached out and took my hand. His fingers grazed against mine lightly and my heart skipped a beat.
“Yes, Dylan?” I leaned toward him and swallowed hard and waited to hear what he was going to say next. I stared at his face and thought about how sexy he was. There’s something about a nicely groomed beard that will do it for me every time. I don’t know why. It’s not like it’s that sexy to have short pointy pieces of hair rubbing against my face when kissing, but there’s just something about it that turns me on. As I stared at Dylan waiting for him to continue with what he was about to say, I couldn’t help but think about how ticklish his beard would feel against my face when we kissed. I could feel my face growing red as I realized that I hadn’t been thinking if we kissed, but rather when we kissed. I didn’t even really know this guy, yet I was pretty sure I wanted to do dirty bad things to him. Or rather, I wanted him to do dirty bad things to me. I just met him, but here I was eagerly awaiting his next words.