2. Brad
2
brAD
I pulled up a stool at the bar, waiting for the bartender to order my much needed drink. I decided to go to Rogue Bar and Lounge this afternoon for happy hour after a long, stressful day at work. My buddy, Wesley, and his wife, Alexis, owned this amazing restaurant. It’s a favorite amongst the locals in San Francisco, but also the sports teams, like the San Francisco Storms hockey team and San Francisco Rockets baseball team. The players frequented this place after games.
“Hey, Brad. What could I get you?” Wesley asked.
“Hey, Wes. I didn’t think you’d be behind the bar today,” I said surprised.
“I’m always working, man.” Wesley chuckled. “You want your usual?”
I nodded. “Yeah, scotch neat, please.”
I watched Wesley pour the caramel-colored liquid into the short glass then slid it on the counter toward me.
“What’s going on, bro? Why do you look so stressed?” he asked, brows furrowed.
“Just dealing with deadlines for work and the pressure from the higher ups,” I said, taking a sip of my drink, the warm liquid coating my throat.
“Oh, I see. Well, I hope you get it all done in time.”
“Thanks, bro,” I said, my lips curving to a small tight-lipped smile.
“Other than work, have you started dating?” Wesley asked.
“No, I’ve been keeping busy with work.”
“Look, Brad. It’s been a year since you broke up with your fiancée. Maybe you should start dating. It may help with the stress, too.” He shrugged.
I knew Wesley meant well. We’ve become close friends soon after I broke up with my ex-fiancée, Joanie. She cheated on me for several months apparently and is now living in Europe with her husband and their child. Wesley was there, watching out for me and how much I drank right after the breakup. I visited Rogue Bar and Lounge everyday, drinking and spiraling down, but Wesley helped me get out of that dark hole.
“Yeah, maybe. I need a date for a charity gala that my work is throwing in a couple weeks. I can start there,” I told him. “I don’t want to take anyone from work. I don’t want it to get awkward if the date doesn’t turn out well.”
I lifted my glass to my lips and took another long sip of my scotch.
“Do you remember me telling you about how Alexis and I met?” Wesley asked.
I thought about it for a second. “You met through an app, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah, the Holidates app. We both needed a date to bring to our families during Christmas time. I was her fake boyfriend then. That was the best decision I made and now that amazing woman is my wife. Alexis and her friends were the ones who created the app…you should get on that app. Who knows? Your date could be the one .”
I cocked a brow. “That’s not a bad idea. I’ll try it out. Thanks, Wes.” I raised my glass, acknowledging his suggestion.
I arrived home after spending another hour at the restaurant, catching up with Wesley and having one more scotch. I plopped on the couch and pulled out my phone, finding the Holidates app and downloading it.
It was a simple, user-friendly app. I created my profile and uploaded a photo:
Bradley P., 35
San Francisco, CA
Software Engineer
Likes snowboarding, traveling, music, and comic books
Holidate needed for a Mardi Gras-themed charity gala
I scrolled through the other profiles and stopped at one: Magnolia V. She was gorgeous and likes music and traveling, too, like me. I scanned through other profiles, but always returned to hers. There was something that pulled me toward this person, even if it was only through a dating app profile. I decided to reach out to her and hopefully we could be each other’s holidates.
brADLEY:
Hi, Magnolia. I came across your profile and saw that you’re in San Francisco, too, and like music and traveling. The last place I visited was Australia. Where’s the last place you traveled?
I closed my app and headed for the kitchen to make some dinner. I wasn’t sure if Magnolia was going to respond to me tonight or at all. I hope she does and we have a connection. The other Holidates profiles weren’t any of my interest.
I heard a notification from my phone and saw that she responded.
MAGNOLIA
Hi, Bradley! Thanks for reaching out. The last place I traveled to was Japan. It was an amazing place and I loved the food! Have you been there?
A grin tipped at my lips and my thumbs quickly tapped on the screen before I hit send.
brADLEY
I haven’t been there, but it is on my bucket list.
MAGNOLIA
Like how Australia’s on mine. What kind of music do you listen to?
brADLEY
I like all kinds…hip hop, rock, jazz
MAGNOLIA
Wow! I like the same, too, but into pop as well.
brADLEY
Nice!
I was debating if I should just ask her to be my holidate already. I know it’s way too soon, but it’s a goddamn dating app. I’ve never been on one before, but I assumed that people tend to get dates on it quickly. What the hell, I’ll just get straight to the point.
brADLEY
I saw that you need a date for a cocktail party. When is it?
MAGNOLIA
It’s actually next Saturday. I know it’s really short notice.
brADLEY
I’m free that day and interested to be your holidate, only if you’d be my holidate for my work’s Mardi Gras charity event, which is in three weeks. Would you be interested?
There wasn’t a quick response from Magnolia like a few minutes ago. Maybe she thinks I’m creepy for asking so soon.
MAGNOLIA
Sorry for the late response, I was busy doing something. I’m interested to exchange holidates with you. Your gala sounds fun!
brADLEY
Great! We need to go over the details of the holidates and complete the agreement.
I sighed in relief. She responded and was interested in this exchange of being each other’s holidates. She seemed easy to chat with and I hoped in person would feel the same. The worse was feeling awkward with someone and not knowing how to socialize with them. I guess we’ll find out soon.