Chapter 38 Sydney - First Date
Chapter 38
Sydney - First Date
I couldn’t decide what to wear. Normally, I didn’t put a lot of thought into my clothes. Ninety percent of the time, I wore jeans with fun blouses and comfortable sandals. I didn’t have anyone to impress, but I tried. Not like Crissy, though. Her outfits were color coordinated, and I could tell she spent a lot of time making sure she made a good impression. I stood in the middle of my bedroom in my bra and panties while the clock ticked. I called for reinforcements.
“Abby, I need your help.”
“Of course, Sissy. Anything.”
“I have a date and I can’t decide what to wear. Help!”
“A couple of questions first. Do you like him? Do you want to make a good impression?”
“Yes, to both questions. I have a little crush on him. We work together several times a week.”
“Dear sister, do you not remember me telling you about my work-dating disaster? If things don’t work out, you’ll still have to see him at work. Correct?”
I had to agree .
“So. My strong advice is to stay away from workplace romance. Often, they don’t turn into happily ever after. I know mine didn’t.”
“What happened anyway? I can’t remember what you told me.”
Her sigh was loud. “About a year ago, I started dating a co-worker. His wit kept up with mine, we had a lot in common, and I thought things were going well. About three months in, we were talking after sex one night and he randomly says that we’re from two different worlds. I brushed it off and didn’t think about it again. Until he broke up with me two days later. I called off work the next day. And the day after that. I didn’t want to face him. It was awful. Having to see him in the halls at work hurt my heart and my pride. I will never date someone I work with ever again.”
Okay, now she was freaking me out. I was an idiot to even think about dating a coworker. I looked at the clock on my bedroom wall. “I’m supposed to meet him in an hour. It would be rude if I canceled now.”
“Sydney, if you like him, then go for it. I had to pass on my hard-earned wisdom on to you. It would’ve been a dereliction of my sisterly duty to not share it. Your experience may have a different outcome. I hope it does.”
“Thanks, Abby. I’m sorry you went through that.”
“It’s in the past. I’m fine. Now, go get ready for your date. Wear the dress you wore to graduation. You look fabulous in it.”
“Okay. I will.”
“And call me with the details tomorrow. Love you.”
I sat down in front of the lighted mirror on my dresser and painted color around my eyes and on my lips. Then I dabbed powder on my face to keep myself from shining. My wavy hair frizzed out of control. I wove it into a French twist and secured it with a rhinestone comb. My graduation dress hung in the back of my closet, and I had second thoughts about wearing it. It felt like it belonged to someone that I used to know.
You’re being ridiculous. Abby’s right. You look great in this dress.
I shrugged off my doubt and slipped the dress over my head. My diamond stud earrings gave me a little sparkle. They were a graduation gift from my grandparents. My grandma believed women needed at least one piece of good jewelry. Brooke and Abby had similar pairs in their jewelry collection. Strappy, low-heeled sandals completed my outfit. I took one last look in the mirror. Satisfied with my appearance, I headed for my truck.
I arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early, but Marcus got there first. He wore a navy-blue pinstripe suit with a crisp, white dress shirt and a paisley patterned tie. I’m glad Abby suggested my graduation dress, or I would have felt underdressed. He held out his elbow, and I laced my arm through his as we followed the hostess to our table. He pulled out my chair to help me in, but he stopped me when he touched my elbow. His gaze looked me up and down, and his face crinkled. “Goodness Sydney, you’re gorgeous.”
I felt my cheeks get warm. “Thank you.”
Dinner went by in a blur. Marcus told me about his grandparents’ farm in Tennessee. Yearly, his entire extended family gathered over the Fourth of July holiday. They had giant communal meals, and all the aunts prepared the food together. There was a volleyball tournament, speed Bingo games, and a rubber ducky race on the stream at the edge of the farm.
“My family never does anything fun like that.”
“Family is both a blessing and a challenge.”
“I miss my family sometimes. I’ve been here for two years now and haven’t made it back home once. My sister Abby came out here to visit me a while ago, and we had fun together. I never realized that a little poem I wrote in my personal journal would change the whole trajectory of my life.”
“You’re talking about that song you and Austin wrote for that movie.”
“We didn’t write it for the movie specifically. It started with a group project for a music class and spiraled from there.”
“That is amazing. Are you ever going to see this movie come to fruition?”
I nodded. “Venus told me it’s opening Memorial Day weekend. I have to get a fancy dress made for the premiere. I’d rather watch it on Netflix in my pajamas.”
“Movie premieres are exciting. I’ve been to a few.” He leaned back in his chair. “I have to ask the question.”
“What question would that be?”
“Are you and Austin a couple? Word around the office has been mixed, and no one has a definitive answer. I don’t want to step on Austin’s toes. He’s a good guy.” He laced his fingers together .
His question caught me by surprise. I figured by now that people knew we weren’t a couple. “We are friends and roommates. Austin has a revolving door to his bedroom. I don’t compete and I don’t share.”
The server came over with the check. Marcus opened his wallet and pulled out several bills. “Everything was excellent. Keep the change.” Our server vaporized before I could offer to split the check.
I reached for my purse. “Marcus, please let me split the bill with you.”
His posture stiffened as he regarded me. “No, ma’am. I asked you out. Besides, my momma would beat me silly if I let a woman pay. Her number one rule for me and my brothers is: If you can’t pay, then you don’t play. ”
“Your momma sounds like my kind of woman.”
Outside the restaurant, he paused at the curb. “Did you valet, or can I walk you to your car?”
“My beat-up pickup is too embarrassing for valet. I parked a couple of blocks away.”
“Then I will be your escort. Lead the way.”
“Completely unnecessary. I’m a big girl.”
“Non-negotiable. A gentleman never lets a lady walk alone after dark.” He held out his hand for me to take.
“Suit yourself.” I took his hand in mine.
When we arrived at my truck, I fished my keys out of my purse. “Thank you for dinner. It tasted much better than the leftovers in the fridge. The company wasn’t too bad, either.”
His eyes met mine. “Would it be okay if I kissed you? I never want to assume.”
I blushed. “Of course, it’s okay with me.” The zooming started in my stomach. He stepped close and reached up his hand and held my cheek. Then he leaned in and gently pressed his lips to mine. They felt soft and warm, sending tingling down my spine all the way to my twitching feet.
When our lips parted, I opened my eyes. “Wow.”
“I’d like to do this again.”
I nodded. “I would like that.” I opened my door and ungracefully climbed into the driver’s seat. He stood there and watched me drive away. I knew it wouldn’t take long for word to spread at work. I wanted to keep it to myself for a minute. The office gossip will ruin it soon enough .
Journal Entry
You always remember your first kiss. It wasn’t that long ago that Danny and I shared our first kiss. Both of us were inexperienced and a little shy, and that’s what made it special. Neither one of us knew what we were doing, and we figured things out as we went along. He was a great sexual partner for the same reasons. We discovered our sexuality together. For that, he will always have a special place in my heart.
Kissing Marcus for the first time was a completely distinct experience. His kiss was passionate but restrained. I could tell he had more experience than I did in the romance department. I’m sure his older brothers helped educate him in ways that Abby and Brooke never did for me. I think Abby and Brooke figured I would come to them when I was ready. But by the time I was ready, they were already gone.
I like Marcus a lot, but I keep hearing Abby’s voice in my head about workplace romances. Her point and her pain are valid. But I have to take a chance on this relationship. I realize I may be naive, but if I don’t take this chance, I know I’ll wonder what might have been. I’m taking that leap.