Chapter Two
I wish I could have a proper meet-cute and find The One.
That’s what I’d said mere minutes before a man accidentally knocked a tray of drinks into me and proceeded to ask me out for dinner. That, right there, is a movie-worthy meet-cute, and this really could be the moment my life changes as I fall absolutely in love with The One.
We’ve exchanged a few messages since the meet-cute incident and while I don’t know a great deal about him yet, I do know that his name is Morgan and he signs off his text messages with two kisses.
Hey Christina, this is Morgan. I am still so very sorry for what
happened at Rollerz this evening xx
I hope you will still join me for dinner? xx
Great stuff! Do you like pizza? xx
We’ve arranged to meet at a pizza restaurant tonight as it’s my day off from Rollerz and I’m a jumble of excitement and nerves, which is totally normal, but there’s also something puzzling me about the date.
I’ve been pacing the living room waiting for Jonah to get home from work and I pounce on him with my predicament as soon as he slumps onto the sofa.
I messaged Rhys for his advice earlier (who better to counsel me than a serial dater?) but he simply sent a string of laughing emojis that were neither helpful nor reassuring.
‘He’s taking you to Pizz-Ahoy?’ Jonah presses his lips together and I know he’s trying so hard not to laugh.
And why wouldn’t he? Pizz-Ahoy is a pirate-themed family restaurant at a local retail park, complete with a giant pirate ship soft play area.
It’s fun, sure, the perfect venue for a six-year-old’s birthday party, but is it a first-date spot? An any-number date spot?
‘Shut up.’ I nudge Jonah with my foot and dampen the laughter that’s dying to rumble up out of me too. Pizz-Ahoy? Seriously?
‘You know this is weird, don’t you?’
I don’t answer, because I am well aware how weird this is.
‘I prance about like an idiot with kids all day, but this is something else.’ Jonah is part of a children’s entertainment duo, a job that includes everything from DJing and hosting parties to face-painting and balloon animals, performing sketches and routines and running craft sessions. ‘Why did you even say yes?’
I give Jonah my best duh look. It’s one I’ve perfected over my five-year friendship with Rhys, because it’s been wheeled out a lot.
‘Because he didn’t ask me if I wanted to go to Pizz-Ahoy, did he?
He asked if I liked pizza, which I do. He said “Great” and booked a table.
I didn’t realise where until he told me when and where to meet him this afternoon, and I could hardly back out then. ’
Jonah huffs. ‘Couldn’t you?’
I pick at my fingernails. ‘No, I couldn’t. And it isn’t really about where we go. It’s about the guy, isn’t it? Because he could be The One.’
Jonah huffs again. ‘I hardly think The One would take you to a kiddies’ restaurant.’
‘It isn’t a…’ I don’t finish, because it is a kiddies’ restaurant. What was Morgan thinking? ‘The point is, I wished for this so I can’t back out.’
Jonah pulls his chin back. ‘You wished a bloke would take you on a daddy-daughter date?’
My jaw clenches as I hold in a sigh. ‘First of all, don’t be gross. This isn’t a daddy-daughter date. And second of all, I wished to meet-cute The One, and then I had a meet-cute with Morgan.’
Jonah barks out a laugh. ‘So, you think your wish came true and the universe sent you this guy? You don’t think that was just a massive coincidence?’
I shrug, giving my nails my full attention again. ‘I don’t know, but I have to give it a go. So, are you going to help me?’
Jonah narrows his eyes. ‘Help you how? Because I’m not going to Pizz-Ahoy. I spend enough time surrounded by kids at work, and I love kids, you know that, but I need a break from the critters. Now, if it was a Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet, I’d make an exception…’
I groan at the idea of bao buns and salt and pepper chips.
Of duck spring rolls and honeyed pork or sweet and sour chicken.
As well as the romcoms, Chinese takeaway was another thing Jonah and I bonded over at the beginning of our flat-sharing.
It’s our go-to comfort food. But tonight isn’t about comfort.
Or Jonah. It’s about a first date, and I’m bricking it.
‘I don’t want you to come with me. I don’t need you to hold my hand.
But the last time I went on a first date was with Alfie when I was seventeen.
I think I wore jeans and a jumper.’ Which was fine because we were seventeen and going to the cinema to not watch a film.
I think the only thing Alfie noticed that night was my lips.
‘What are you supposed to wear for a first date in your twenties?’
Jonah shuffles to the edge of the sofa and places his hands on his knees. ‘Well, for a proper first date, I’d suggest getting glammed up so you feel sexy and confident.’
I scrunch up my nose. Sexy and confident? That’s not really me, and I don’t think I even own anything glam enough to make me feel that way. I’m more of a character T-shirt and baggy cargo pants kind of girl.
‘But for Pizz-Ahoy?’ Jonah looks me up and down, taking in my open flannel shirt over a faded Snoopy T-shirt. ‘What you’re wearing will be fine.’
I nudge him with my foot, harder this time. It’s more of a kick than a nudge, to be honest. ‘Stop it. I need help, Jo-Jo. I’m meeting him in an hour.’
‘Sorry. You’re right.’ Jonah pushes himself up off the sofa. ‘Let’s see what you’ve got in your wardrobe.’
I scrunch my nose up again as I follow Jonah out into the narrow hallway of our flat.
There won’t be anything much more glamorous than the Snoopy T-shirt in my wardrobe; there hasn’t been much call for fancy outfits when I’ve divided my time between home, Rollerz and the occasional trip out to the cinema or bowling alley with my mates.
‘Did you talk to Freddie?’ I follow Jonah into my bedroom, hoping to stall the moment he opens my wardrobe and finds sod all in the form of swanky attire.
I’m not sure why he’s under the impression there’ll be anything first-date-worthy in there; we’ve lived together for nine months, and he’s never seen me in anything other than soft, comfortable clothes.
‘I called him this afternoon between gigs.’ Jonah opens the wardrobe and starts to rifle through the T-shirts on offer.
‘He didn’t pick up, but he would have been at work.
’ He shrugs and resumes flicking through my garments.
‘I left a message, but he hasn’t got back to me yet.
’ He moves onto the shirts, all of which are oversized, cosy flannel. ‘Seriously, Christina?’
I shrug, picking at my fingernails again so I don’t have to look at him. ‘It’s my style and I like it.’
‘I suppose you could wear this one.’ He plucks a T-shirt from the rail. It’s one of the plainer T-shirts I own, black-and-white striped without any kind of print. ‘But then they might mistake you for one of the pirate waitresses and make you walk the plank.’
I poke Jonah in his side. ‘You’re the plank and you’re not helping.’
‘Sorry. Couldn’t resist.’ Jonah crouches and opens the first drawer underneath the rail of clothes, closing it again when he realises it’s stuffed with my underwear.
He will not find anything remotely glamorous in there.
He moves onto the next drawer: nightwear.
Again, there is not a scrap of glam to be found in that collection.
Like my daytime clothing, my pyjamas are cosy and comfortable.
‘Maybe we should call Thea?’ I nibble at my fingernail. ‘See if she has anything I can borrow?’
Jonah shakes his head. ‘Daniel got back from Uganda today. Mum’s watching the kids so they can catch up after three months apart.
’ He cringes and opens the third and final drawer, which contains my collection of cargo pants.
Jonah rifles through, aha!-ing when he spots a piece of treasure hidden at the bottom.
‘Jeans?’ I take them from Jonah and hold them against my frame. ‘I forgot I even owned these.’
Jonah returns to the wardrobe, sighing with each T-shirt he flicks past until he snatches one from the rail. It’s a long-sleeved cropped black T-shirt with the word Amore spelled out in sequins and diamantes.
‘I think this is the best we can do.’ He passes the T-shirt to me, which I hold against my front.
‘Amore?’ I grin at Jonah and shake the T-shirt at him. ‘I think that’s pretty perfect for a first date with The One, don’t you?’