Chapter 10
‘So … how did it go? What did you guys do? Was he sexier in person? Are you gonna see him again? I’m requesting all the tea, post-haste!’
It was the evening, and I was at home on the sofa with Toby purring on my freshly showered and moisturised thighs as I recounted the events of the day to Sade on the phone.
Since finishing the date with Jericho, I’d been in a bit of a weird trance.
On one hand, it was certainly the best date I’d ever been on; he was kind, funny, paid for everything, witty, smart, compassionate and fun – all the things I wanted in a guy on a date for the most part.
I’d felt seen and prioritised throughout.
He listened to my lame jokes. We flirted and bantered continuously throughout the day.
He repeatedly told me how attractive he thought I was.
All these things were great and all, but again, I couldn’t help but note the annoying feeling that I knew to be true; it was all performative.
A few minutes after I had arrived home earlier, I received a notification from the OuiMeet app, informing me that my payment had been released to Jericho, as well as a message from him a few minutes afterwards:
Cassandra. I had a wonderful time with you today; you were truly a delight, and I really hope you had a nice time too! Thank you once again for requesting my services, and I hope we’re able to talk again soon. J x
Hmm.
I read the message over and over again, confused.
There was something about it that just seemed so rehearsed.
So impersonal. So stoic and formal; almost as if it was an automatic message that the app sent out on his behalf, with only my name being added.
I’d be lying if I said it didn’t put a bit of a dampener on my mood at that point.
We’d had such a great day, I don’t know what I was expecting with regards to his response, but it certainly wasn’t … that.
I stroked Toby’s belly slowly as he made biscuits with his paws into my thighs and purred softly while I responded to Sade, pensive.
‘The date was cute, man; it was really cute,’ I replied, sighing softly – the uncomfortable knot in my stomach bubbling slowly.
‘Jericho was a real gentleman throughout.’ At that, I heard Sade mutter a smooth ‘We love to see it!’ under her breath.
I could hear her sigh of relief after hearing that it went well.
‘Yeah. We went for coffee, and then he took me to an escape room, which was pretty cool, and then after that we went for something to eat and had a great chat, and yeah he is, like, EXTREMELY sexy in real life. He was holding my hand and everything in public, like he was proud of me or something. And Sade, man … we have SO much in common. He loves horror movies and video games too. He loves CATS. I felt really … I don’t know …
relaxed around him. Like I didn’t have to pretend to be someone I wasn’t. He’s really comfortable to be around.’
‘Well, duh, babe,’ Sade retorted, and I could almost hear her scoff in the background. ‘You’re a gorgeous, intelligent, well-rounded babe. Why wouldn’t any man be proud to have you on his arm? I’m so glad it went well, and that you’re still alive to tell the tale! He sounds amazing.’
‘I dunno man, I really loved it – it really was my idea of the perfect date but—’ and I stopped here, not sure if I wanted to confess how I really felt to Sade, considering how much she had rooted for me to go on the date in the first place.
‘But what? Spill!’ she snapped impatiently, already gearing up to put on her problem-solver hat.
‘Ugh! Like … there was something so performative about it all. And I know from a logical point of view, I shouldn’t have expected any more because, ultimately, I was paying for a service; I expected to be treated like that, but I couldn’t help but want for him to actually …
I don’t know … like me in that way, you know? Like, I wish it were real.’
Sade stayed silent for a while before responding.
‘Hmm. It sounds to me like someone has a bit of a crush on old Jericho, you know?’ she said playfully.
‘Ahh shut up, man, I totally don’t!’
‘Oh, you totally do! And that’s fine! I think it’s good that you’ve been able to establish the performance aspect of it though and can separate the two – it keeps you from going full delusional.
I think if you feel like you’d wanna spend more time with him and get to know him offline, maybe it’s something you could have a conversation with him about?
Or … meet up with him and suggest it there? ’
I mulled over her words while also trying to piece together who Jericho truly was – beyond the app and outside of his ‘escort’ persona.
Was he really as charming and as chivalrous as he made out to me today?
I wasn’t sure, but I had enjoyed his company, and I knew that I wanted to feel the way he made me feel today, again.
‘You’re right, I guess. I don’t know, I’ll send him a message on the app and just see where his head’s at. I’d have to play it smartly though. He told me today about his boundaries with this kinda thing, and personal questions are off limits.’
‘That’s fair, babe,’ replied Sade reassuringly. ‘If you’re thinking of seeing him again, you’d need to take it slow. Build trust and all that. And then once that’s there, go in for the kill.’
I giggled. As much as I wanted to see him again, I wanted it all to feel organic. The last thing I’d want to do was feel as if I was strategically setting him up.
‘Thank you for your advice, baby,’ I said as I rose slowly to plant myself on my bed.
Tomorrow was another long week at work and I’d almost forgotten that I had to face Jeff tomorrow, which I anticipated would be somewhat awkward, considering the way Kofi and I snuck out of the pub last week.
I hadn’t really spoken or bumped into him since as he was starting off at the office part-time, with tomorrow being the first time I’d be seeing him. Speaking of …
‘Oh! Before I forget – what’s going on with you and Kofi, by the way? Last time I spoke to him, he was practically giddy and kicking his feet in the air. Did you do your so-called “running club” then? I still cannot believe you peddled that lie, you know.’
‘Girl, whatever! We’re actually meeting up after work tomorrow now.
I had to really talk him out of that running club stuff because I actually don’t know what came over me when I mentioned it.
I wanna be cute as fuck when I first meet him, not breathless and sweaty!
I’m gonna meet him at the hospital and we’re going to a bar around Clapham after, so I’ll see you tomorrow. ’
Sade’s update instantly lifted my mood; this was what I loved to hear! Two of my favourite people potentially getting together was my Roman Empire, and I was determined for them to be a thing even if it killed me at this point.
‘HA! I warned him about doing the running club. I did try and suggest he do something else! What was your excuse?’
‘I told him I had a pre-existing injury – I think I said I tore my ACL or something and that it had been flaring up this week, I don’t know,’ Sade replied, sighing.
‘Sade? Where is your ACL?’ I asked, shaking my head.
‘I don’t know, like … the ankle?’ she responded with full confidence.
‘OK. I see,’ I replied, trying not to burst out laughing. ‘Anyway …’ I continued, ‘Going for drinks? In his neighbourhood? Where he lives? We love that.’
I could already see where this could potentially go, but it wasn’t my business.
Sade seemed to sense my pessimism too. ‘Girl, don’t even try it. Nothing like that is going to happen – when have you ever known me to be a “sleep with a guy on the first date” kinda gal?’
‘Umm, let’s see,’ I began, counting on my fingers. ‘Four months ago with that guy with the wide jaws from Hinge. Last July with that Nathan guy. Last May with the guy on Bumble – need I contin—?’
‘Would you look at the time?’ Sade cut in, fake yawning.
‘It’s time for me to get some beauty sleep, I think.
Let me know how you’re feeling with your Jerry guy tomorrow and I’ll see you at the office!
’ and with that, Sade put the phone down.
Heh. Got her ass. Not that I’ve ever had anything against people who sleep together on the first date, mind you.
I’ve had my fair share of one-night stands in the past.
I hopped under the covers and opened up Jericho’s message again, thinking about how to respond.
There was no doubt that I wanted to see him again, but I needed to see whether that was what he wanted too before I made my next move.
I thought back to that weird interaction with the group of girls and how taken aback he’d been.
Who was the person he’d dated before and why did random people know about it?
Was he well known? Had that interaction maybe put him off meeting again?
I typed back, deciding to not mention that incident:
I had a wonderful time too, Jerry, thank you so much for today; it was almost the perfect date but I reckon you could do better, don’t you think? ;) How about we go for round two if you’re up for it? I have a Nintendo game that needs solving. Cassie x
A mere five minutes later, Jericho had responded:
‘Almost’, you say? Hmm. Challenge accepted. You know what to do. :) And yes, I’d like to see you again; I had fun with you too!
Much better! Without hesitation, I swiped to his menu, this time looking for the ‘evening company’ option, which was ￡350. I transferred the funds from my savings account to my current account and looked through his calendar; his earliest availability was tomorrow night at 7 p.m.
I finalised the booking, switched my phone to airplane mode, and tried to fall asleep before I could dwell on what I had just done. ￡350 – was this what gambling felt like?
The next day, I was up bright and early, rummaging my cupboards for what to wear that evening for my second date with Jericho. I’d received a message from him early that morning: