29. Chapter Twenty Eight
Chapter Twenty Eight
After work, I check my cell to find I have a bunch of Tinder notifications. I open the app, scanning my new matches.
I'm surprised to find there's a fair few, along with some messages.
I click on the first match, scanning the bio before unmatching. Looking for hookups while my baby mama is out of town. Yeah — no thanks.
The second match is a gorgeous looking man called Ian. I read over his bio, not sensing any red flags. Apparently he likes the gym, watching movies, and just got out of a relationship as well. Normally I'd say that's a red flag, but then again, what am I doing?
Shrugging to myself, I open the chat and send a quick message saying hi. He's tall — around 6'2 with dark hair and blue eyes. It's obvious he works out a lot, his toned and muscular physique shown in his photos.
It's not long before I get a message back, and I'm relieved to find he can at least spell. My biggest fear is not being able to find someone who can hold a conversation and that confuses words like 'right' and 'write'.
Ian: Good Afternoon. Thanks for matching with me. How was your day?
Me: It was good, thank you. What about your day?
Ian: It was a bit average. Just work, gym, and now cooking dinner.
Me: Oh? What are you making?
"I swear, if he says chicken and rice, I'm not going any further," I laugh to myself.
Ian: Homemade pizza and garlic bread
"Oh, thank God," I mutter. I'd be too scared to go on a date with someone who lives off chicken and brown rice, and be forced to order a salad with no dressing. I need carbs to survive.
As I'm typing back a reply, there's a knock on my bedroom door. Blaise pokes his head in, scanning over my figure on the bed.
"Gym? No incidents today?" he teases.
I lift my hair up, turning my neck toward him. "I behaved."
"Good," he laughs. "I just wanted to let you know I need to drive out to my brother's house tonight for a wedding planning meeting. Will you be okay?"
I raise an eyebrow at him. "I'm a grown up, Blaise. I'm not going to burn the house down."
"You might be a grown up but I found you masquerading around as a fairy queen while drunk on tequila last time I left you alone."
"We're still out of tequila," I shoot back. "So, no concerns there."
Blaise smiles. "There's some leftover Indian in the fridge. Help yourself."
The reminder of Indian food sends a cold wave down my body. It's unexpected, and I hate myself for something so simple as food having an effect on me. The last time I ate Indian food was at the beach with Jordan.
I nod. "Thank you. I need to do some laundry tonight too. Do you want anything washed?"
Blaise laughs. "Like my underwear? No. I'm all good, but if you could swing by the computer store in the morning to collect something for me that would be great. I should be home later tonight but if I get caught up, I'll fill you in on all the gory wedding details tomorrow."
"I can't wait," I grin. "I also expect a rehearsal of the dance."
"And I'm leaving," he groans, closing the door and disappearing.
I giggle, returning to my messages with Ian. He seems nice enough — in fact, almost too good to be true. I wasn't expecting to find someone normal on my first dating app conversation. Maybe the universe is giving me a break.
Ian asks if I would like to meet up for coffee tomorrow and I agree, figuring it's easier to bite the bullet. I may have lied in my bio about meeting people. The idea of being social is daunting, but I can't expect to meet anyone if I don't make an effort.
After a load of laundry and a bowl of curry, I curl into bed, messaging my matches until I fall into a restless sleep.
When I wake the next morning I realize that Blaise didn't come back home. I guess the dancing got the better of him. I did get one text message from him though reminding me about the computer store and that he was going to meet a client.
He's had a lot of client meetings lately. I can't help but wonder if they are all business related.
Since I plan to be in town, I arrange my coffee date with Ian — two birds, one stone.
After collecting Blaise's package, I head to Lilith's Cafe. I've been there a few times before so it's familiar. Lilith's is situated by the creek, overlooking the water in cabin-esque style decor.
Dull, orange lights hang from the ceiling along with mahogany wood walls. The smell of coffee hits me immediately as I enter, and despite trying to be early, I spot Ian sitting at a table in the back.
Swallowing, I force my legs to move as I walk over, smiling when he looks up.
"Hi," I say awkwardly.
He smiles back, thankfully looking exactly like his photos. "Hi. Skylar, right?"
I nod. "It's nice to meet you, Ian. Sorry — I hope you weren't waiting too long."
Ian shakes his head politely. "I've only been here a minute or so. How's your morning going?"
I sit down across from him, crossing my legs as I try to stop them bouncing with nerves. "It's been good. I just had to run a work errand but I'm glad we were able to meet up."
"I'll be heading to work after this as well," he smiles. "So, you work in IT? You must be really smart."
Internally cringing, I consider my words carefully. "I do admin support. So unfortunately my… boss is the smart one."
It's still weird calling Blaise my boss. To me, he'll always be Blaise.
Ian laughs softly. "Modest. I'm sure you're amazing at your job."
"What do you do?" I ask, ignoring the tint in my cheeks.
"I work with animals."
I raise an eyebrow, smiling. "Do I get any more information?"
"I'm a vet," he says. "Not a real doctor apparently."
"What?" I mutter. "Who said that?"
Ian grins. "My last Tinder date."
"Oh, geez," I murmur. "That's not very nice."
He shrugs. "You win some, you lose some. Now, let me get you a coffee. What would you like?"
I relay my usual coffee order and he directs me to stay seated as he heads to the counter. When he returns with two takeaway cups, I squint at his written order on the side of his cup.
Straight black – one sugar.
I don't know why it hurts, and I have to gently remind myself that just because Jordan and I shared the same coffee order, doesn't mean I won't have chemistry with someone else.
It's weird — the little things that start to niggle at you. Self-doubt can be implanted from something so minor, the scars always a brutal reminder.
"So, what else do you like to do?" Ian asks, sipping his cup.
"I just started going to the gym actually," I proudly say, knowing we have that in common.
He nods, smiling. "I love that. I'm partial to the gym myself."
I laugh, looking at his torso. "I guessed as much. You look amazing."
"Oh, thank you," he says, shyness in his voice. "It's a nice release from the everyday stresses. I struggle to see the progress though."
"Really?" I ask surprised. "Your forearm is bigger than my bicep."
He waves me off casually. "I can't let my training take all the credit. I think handling animals helped too. While I work in a clinic I do occasionally work in the field with larger animals."
"Horses?"
"Yeah, and cattle."
I smile. "I think it's wonderful you work with animals. You always hear so many horror stories about animal cruelty and to me, I think it says a lot about a person and their interactions with animals."
"So I'm doing well then? Meeting your expectations?" he laughs.
Nodding, I sip my coffee. "So far, so good. We might have to have a second date just in case you're hiding any red flags."
Ian laughs, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, you twisted my arm. How's dinner tomorrow night sound?"
"You're back!" I grin at Blaise.
He looks over at me, face deadpanning. "I'm officially disowning my brother. No one should ever see me twerk in their entire life. But now at least eighty people will get to see me shaking my thang."
"I'll order a ring light," I tease. "For the camera footage."
Blaise points his finger at me. "I swear to God, Skylar. Don't joke about it. Alfie even wants me to do the electric slide."
"We're really going back in time," I giggle. "Were they at least happy to hear you'll have a date?"
He sighs. "Yes. But my dear mother still questioned me. Can you believe she actually cried about Nathan? I had to comfort her last night — about my own ex-boyfriend."
"At least they are supportive," I offer. "I can't imagine what it's like for people to have families that aren't."
Blaise sits down, letting out a sigh of relief. "I'm so happy to be sitting down. Yeah, my family is great with it. Generally they like anyone I date. Except for Melissa — Mom hated her."
"Huh?" I ask, taken aback. "Who's Melissa?"
"My girlfriend in senior year. She was a bit of a disaster. I caught her cheating on me at prom."
I blink at him. "And was this before you knew you were into men?"
Blaise looks at me bewildered. "I've always known. Wait — did you think I only dated men?"
Embarrassed, I shrug frantically. "I've only known you while you dated Nathan. I just assumed. Oh, my God. I'm an asshole."
He laughs — wildly, while I sit here frazzled and ashamed.
"Oh, you poor sweet thing. I can understand why you thought that. I can't believe you didn't know though."
"It's not something you just ask someone outright about," I argue. "It's not my business. I just knew you and Nathan were a thing."
Blaise settles, relaxing in his chair. "I don't like putting labels on things but I guess you could say I'm pansexual. But to me, people are people. I just like whoever I'm attracted to. I need to have an emotional and intellectual connection with someone. And whoever that person is, gender is not a factor for me."
"That's actually really beautiful," I murmur. "So you just love who you love."
"Exactly," he nods. "If there's a connection, that's all that's important to me."
Tucking my legs under my body, I get comfortable on the couch. "Well, you'll be pleased to hear I had a date today. Jordan and Kaden are a thing of the past."
"Oh," he asks, eyes lighting up. "Who with?"
"I downloaded Tinder," I admit sheepishly. "I had coffee with a guy this morning. He's really nice. We're going to have dinner tomorrow."
Blaise raises an eyebrow. "Do you want to go suss out his socials?"
I laugh for a second before my face turns serious. "Yes. Let's go."