Chapter 8 #2
The first woman he reached out to immediately turned him down after he’d suggested they meet for coffee to get to know each other.
She’d quickly informed him that he was a “sorry, broke ass, dusty mutherfucker, who didn’t know how to treat a lady.
” Surprised, and a little more than pissed off by her insults, he’d taken the quick rejection as a blessing from the heavens.
How the hell was he supposed to know that coffee dates were out of style?
His first date with his ex-wife had been over coffee.
Taking that as a sign to avoid going out for coffee, he’d reached out to another woman he’d matched with.
She’d agreed to have dinner with him when he suggested one of his favorite places.
They’d met, she was attractive, worked as a paralegal during the day, and had one kid.
The dinner had started off okay, but by the end of the date she was banging her fist on the table as she told him that she was Queen Cleopatra reincarnated and she was looking for soldiers to help her in her mission to go back to Egypt and reclaim her kingdom.
Instead of saying she was delusional, he told her he was not the right man to help her reclaim her throne.
He’d almost considered not setting up a third date, but figured he wasn’t out unless he had three strikes.
When the next woman he’d reached out to suggested they go bowling so they could participate in a fun activity to avoid any awkward conversation, he’d agreed.
He wasn’t the best bowler, but he liked the suggestion of doing something on the date and agreed to meet her after work that Friday.
Zora was divorced, no kids, and as she talked briefly about her ex she didn’t appear to be bitter or angry about the break.
As they ended their round of bowling, Elijah was beginning to think about what he would say if she asked about a second date.
He had no reason to refuse her other than the fact that as much as he had fun with her he wondered how much more fun he’d have bowling with Layla.
“I had fun tonight,” he said as they left the bowling alley and walked back to their cars.
She grinned up at him. “Me too. Are you ready to call it a night, or are you up to hanging out some more?”
Elijah fought the urge to look at his watch. He already knew it was nearing ten. Early for a Saturday night for some, but he was eager to get back home and check on Sabrina. Sabrina was at Layla’s house that night and he couldn’t even pretend that seeing Layla wasn’t part of his eagerness.
“Another time?” he said. “I need to get back home and check on my daughter.”
She nodded. “Oh, of course. Do you tuck her in at night?”
“Most nights. She’s in bed by now, but I don’t like to be out too late. She has a tendency to wake up around midnight looking for me. I don’t want her to worry.”
“Ohh, that’s so sweet. It sounds like you’re a good dad.”
“I try to be.”
She stopped in front of a blue sedan. She pulled keys out of her purse and pressed a button. The car started. He guessed that was his cue that the date was over.
“I had fun too,” she said smiling at him. “Maybe we can do this again.” Her voice rose at the end in a hopeful tone.
Elijah had enjoyed her company. Zora had been easy to talk to, funny, and fun. She seemed like a nice woman. He wouldn’t have minded getting to know her better if he wasn’t sure that despite this dating experiment Layla was the one for him.
Her cell phone rang before he could answer. She looked at it and her smile widened. “Hold up a second.” She answered the call. “Hey, Carlos.”
Elijah frowned. Carlos? He checked himself. This was a first date. For all he knew Carlos could be her brother or cousin or something. And hadn’t he just been thinking about his feelings for Layla?
“I’m just finishing up bowling with this guy I met online.” She winked at Elijah. “Nah, we’re done for the night. What are you doing? I could use some dick.”
Elijah coughed and blinked. She looked back at him and gave him a thumbs up. “Well, I’d hoped, but he has to get back to his kid. You up for the challenge? Great. I’ll be there in ten.” She ended the call and looked back at him. “Give me a call and we can meet up again.”
“Hold up.” He made the time-out sign with his hands. “I don’t mean to sound…hell, I don’t know how this sounds. But are you single?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“But your call just now…”
She looked confused for a second before her eyes widened. “Oh, that, yeah, Carlos and I hook up about once a week or so. Maybe more if one of my online dates doesn’t pan out. Is that a problem for you?”
He shook his head. “Not a problem, it’s just, I’m looking for a relationship.”
“And we can have one. As long as you don’t mind Carlos. The dick is too good. I can’t give him up?”
“I guess I’m a little old fashioned. I’m still big on monogamy, but I don’t hate on those who aren’t. I appreciate you being honest with me up front.”
She shrugged and nodded. “I appreciate you not being all weird about this. I mean, I really was interested in seeing what your dick can do. If you want to give us a try holla at me one day.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Catch you next time.”
Elijah watched as she got into the car and pulled out of the parking space.
A huge smile on her face. He shook his head.
He had been out of the dating game for far too long.
Three strikes was enough to say he was officially out of the online dating game.
Ater the month he’d had, he was even more convinced that the woman for him had always been right there in front of him.
He only hoped that this dive into the hell of online dating hadn’t pushed her completely out of his reach.