Chapter 7
∞∞∞
Meryl
I slept so much better than the night before. I’d been too tired to stay awake worrying, so I’d fallen asleep easier and slept more soundly. Thankfully. I did some work in the morning, walked PT, and daydreamed about how tonight with Finn might go. The day went by far too fast, but also agonizingly too slow.
Dating was like riding a bike, right? People say you never forget how to ride a bike, that no matter how long it’d been, that once you were on it, you’d know what to do. I didn’t feel that way about this. I’d picked out a nice outfit, put on some make-up, and styled my hair. I looked good.
I’d chosen a dark red dress that was clingy in all the right places with black tights underneath. It showed off a little cleavage, what little I had anyway, but I felt confident and sexy. It was a little tighter than the last time I’d worn it, but that was okay. I was working on it and at least I could still wear it. I didn’t wear this dress often, but I always felt good in it.
It was what came next that had me worried. What was I supposed to talk to him about? I couldn’t remember. There was an etiquette for dating that danced at the edges of my memory, but felt like it was out of reach.
I should ask him questions about himself, myunreliable memories suggested. That rang a bell, but I couldn’t actually think of any. We’d already been through a lot of the usual first date questions over text anyway. What else was I supposed to ask him about? His family? Was that too personal, or too boring? I used to be good at this. Or I”d thought I was. Maybe I”d just been delusional.
I sighed heavily and gave up, slouching down into my couch. This might be a disaster and that was okay. At least I was trying. This was an important step for me. A major break through. Even if I royally screwed this up, I was sure Finn and I could be mature enough to stay friends. It would be slightly awkward, but it was only one date. No big deal. And then I could continue dating around until I figured it all out all over again. Finn might meet someone nice too.
My heart clenched painfully at the thought and I groaned. I was putting too much pressure on myself. The more natural and less pressured, the better the date would go. I needed to let go of any pressure or expectations now before he arrived. Easier said than done though.
I wondered what Finn would look like. I hadn’t asked him about his appearance, because it felt weird to me to bring it up. I also liked the excitement of the unknown. I wasn’t too concerned about looks anyway. This was more about getting back out there and being more social like I’d promised myself I would. It didn’t feel casual to me though. I was too nervous.
In situations like this, it was best if I just turned my brain off and distracted myself. I grabbed the remote and put on some tv while I waited. It worked a little. My palms weren’t sweating anymore and I’d stopped fidgeting, but I still kept checking my phone every few minutes for the time.
I turned the tv off exactly at seven and heard footsteps in the hall, so I jumped off the couch and smoothed down my dress with frantic hands. Then he knocked. I took a deep breath before I opened the door.
Finn smiled so brightly when his eyes met mine that I almost bailed on the whole date. He was tall. And handsome. Damn. His eyes were blue and he had short brown hair that he’d styled to one side. Finn was wearing a blue v-neck sweater and black pants. He had a square jaw and a kind smile. I liked his face. I liked his broad shoulders and narrow hips too.
“Meryl!” He boomed excitedly and we hugged awkwardly. He smelled good and there was more muscle under my hands than I’d expected. I was too nervous for this.
“Hey,” I greeted back casually, but my throat felt tight with anxiety as I stepped into the hallway with him and locked the door behind me. We shuffled over to the elevator and I tried to remind myself that this was casual. No pressure, no expectations.
“You’re gorgeous,” Finn said as he smiled down at me. I let out a surprised laugh. That was not what I”d expected to hear right now.
“Thank you?” I looked down at my feet and tucked some of my blond hair behind an ear.
“Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting…you,” he admitted and shrugged.
“Maybe I should have let you look me up online,” I mused. It was flattering to see him so flustered already.
“No, no, it just doesn’t seem real. This feels like a prank. You’re too hot,” he accused jokingly. I knew how he felt. I was pleasantly surprised by him too.
“You’re not bad looking yourself. I thought you’d be shorter,” I told him and looked up at him critically. I”d known we’d get along, but the attraction was a welcome and surprising bonus.
“I can slouch a bit if you want,” he grinned and I nodded.
“Yeah, let me see.”
“Good?” he hunched his shoulders forward so he was a little less tall.
“More,” I encouraged.
“Here?” he asked as he bent his knees and lowered himself further. It looked really uncomfortable and I loved it.
“That’ll work,” I nodded and the elevator doors opened at the ground floor with a ding.
“After you,” he smiled and straightened himself up again. I felt less nervous and followed him outside to his car with more confidence.