No Way
Shay
My Uber pulled up in front of Torrino’s. It was a nice Italian restaurant. I spotted Charles right away, and he saw me through the car window. He waved and jogged over to open my door.
I thanked my Uber driver, gave him five stars, and then I turned towards Charles and put out my hand to shake.
His blue eyes sparkled, and he took my hand and kissed it. That surprised me and I smiled.
“Well, that was very gentlemanly,” I said, to break the ice.
“My mama raised me with manners,” he said with a slight southern accent.
“Where are you from? I hear a southern accent.”
“I am from Savannah, Georgia. I moved here about six years ago after I graduated from culinary school.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you Charles. I can’t wait to get to know you better.”
He looked at me, “I’m sorry, Charles? I am Ray.”
My eyes widened, and my mouth went into a perfect O.
He started laughing, “I’m sorry, I’m joking, I couldn’t help myself.”
I chuckled. Okay, that was funny. “A comedian and a chef, that’s a perfect combo.”
“Shay, you are a ray of sunshine. I am glad we are having this date. Come, our reservation is ready.”
He guided me with his hand on the small of my back. This was pleasant. After today, I needed something pleasant. All
day, Ford and Mic found some reason to come into my office and grill me about Bryson and Bryce. I tried to play it off, but
they weren’t having it. Ford said he saw the smoldering looks they were both giving me and, with the comment from
Bryson about Ava and being on a date, I confessed the whole dating app thing and then, being the annoying older
brother-in-laws they were, they finagled the whole story about Bryce from me. They had both burst into laughter and I
wanted to hide under my desk. Davis, hearing the commotion, came in to find out what was going on and, even though
he held back his laughter, I could see he was dying to join in. Finally, after some whining from me, asking what I should
do, they all said go with the flow. Also, I had mentioned my date tonight and thought maybe I should cancel it, and they
all told me not to do that. Mic said to have fun. I wasn’t in a relationship, so I might as well see how this guy, Charles, is.
So, here I am.
The host showed us to our table and we sat.
After ordering our drinks from our waiter, we looked at each other expectantly.
“So, you’re a chef. What kind of food do you cook?” I asked.
“I mostly cook southern food. I work at Homecookin’, the family restaurant on Bass Street. Have you ever been there?”
“No, I haven’t, but now I’ll have to try it,” I said with a smile.
“I went to culinary school and aced it. I learned my cooking from my mother and father. Both of them are personal chefs.
I saw that you liked to cook and bake. Are you professional?”
“No. It’s a hobby that I love. I’d love to own a little café and make food and sell my creative jams and make people happy with my cooking. Right now, I am the CFO for Becks Security. I’m not brave enough yet to go out on my own.”
“I’d love to taste your cooking some time,” he said with a genuine smile. He was really nice.
1/3
“How long have you been in Denver?” he asked.
“A little over a year. I used to live in Maine. Had a bad break up and moved here. My kind of brother and his parents live here. He was getting married, and I was coming home for the wedding and stayed.”
“Kind of brother?” he asked.
“His parents took me in when I was 15. Mine died and instead of me going into the system because none of my other family wanted anything to do with me, my parents’ friends took me in. Dawson was a good friend even though he was five years older than me. He was always there for me and had my back. He is a great guy.”
“Do I hear a little bit of a crush in your words?”
“What? No way, nope, nothing there, ever. That literally made me nauseous. I only see him as a brother, besides he’s
married to my best friend Isha and his three husbands.”
Charles’ eyes went wide at that.
“He has three husbands and a wife?”
“Yeah, I know it’s unconventional, but I say love is love, and if they’re happy, let them be. You know?”
His eyebrows furrowed. “But you aren’t like that, are you?”
“Like what? Unconventional?” I asked.
He nodded. “My family is very religious. I’m pretty sure they’d disown me if I was gay,” he said.
“That’s so sad. I mean, I’ve never been in a situation like Isha, Dawson and the guys. Heck, I can’t even keep one man, let alone four.” I gasped and slapped my hand over my mouth. “Sorry. I guess I’m still a little bitter about being cheated on.”
“Hey, anyone would be. Your ex is a scumbag. So, that’s why you left Maine?”
I was glad the subject was changed even if it was about my break-up.
“Yeah, his name was Carson. We dated for three years. He cheated with a woman that was married and that we worked
with. A lot of sh*t happened, and he got caught and fired and for a while tried to get me to come back to him. He crops
up every now and then. Last time I heard from him, he was trying to get me to fund an up-and-coming fashionista. I told
him to get lost.”
“Good for you. No one should be used like that. I grew up with morals and was taught to treat your girlfriend and then
wife with respect and love. A man who cheats does not love his woman. He’s a user and abuser in my eyes. A woman
should be cherished, she should be shown love and respect at all times. A woman is in charge of her home, her children
and her man. A man is to provide for his woman, show her how to follow his lead. The term happy wife, happy life was
drilled into my head. I watched my father cherish my mother my whole childhood. I was in love once. I thought I would
marry my high school sweetheart. Let’s just say she was very much like your Carson. It was very disappointing.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Looks like we’re both unlucky in love.”
“Maybe that could all change,” he said, holding up his wine glass, smiling as he looked into my eyes.
I didn’t want to be rude, so I clinked my glass with his and we drank. Our food came. As I ate, I compared this date with
the one I had with Bryson. I probably shouldn’t have, but I couldn’t help it. This date was nice. Charles was nice. He was good-looking. He had blonde hair and blue eyes. His skin was tanned like he was outside a lot. He had this boy next-door look with his southern charm. But, I felt no chemistry. Not like I did with Bryson. There was no wow factor. When I kissed Bryson, the world stopped. Talking to him was easy and fun. He was laid back, it was all effortless. With Charles, I could tell he was trying, and maybe he felt some chemistry. I just didn’t.
2/3
No Way
18 Points >
It was all pleasant enough and maybe with time I could learn to feel something with him. But he wasn’t what I was looking for. Flashes of Bryce in the club, his big body, the way he held me up against the wall. Bryson’s kiss the way my breath stopped, the butterflies in my stomach. The challenge from Bryce today and the wink from Bryson when he left.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m sorry what?”
“I asked if you were enjoying your carbonara.”
“Oh, yes, it’s very good. Sorry, something happened at work today and it just flitted through my mind. How are you liking your Chicken Parm?”
“It’s a little bland, could use more garlic in the sauce.”
“Do you find yourself critiquing the food you eat a lot?” I asked. I was curious.
“Yes, I do, don’t you? As an amateur cook and baker.”
“I wouldn’t say I critique. I appreciate and try to guess the ingredients in something I am trying for the first time. I don’t necessarily think about what can improve a dish, but how I would make it. I don’t know, maybe that’s silly.”
“It isn’t. I think that’s enchanting.”
Movement from the corner of my eye had me looking over. No f*cking way. Bryce and Bryson were just sat at the table next to us. Both of them looked over and smiled wickedly at me.
This was not happening.
