CHAPTER 1
692 Words
I heard a disapproving "Tsk tsk" coming from behind me, causing me to turn around in surprise. There, I laid eyes on a tall, strikingly handsome man with a pitcher and a rag in hand. As he passed by, I couldn't help but be completely taken aback, my eyes wide with disbelief.
"Hey? Excuse me? Mind your own business," I said, feeling irritated.
"I can't believe this," he said, shaking his head and smirking at me.
"What!?" I retorted, feeling increasingly annoyed.
"You joined an online site to find someone to date? That's for losers," he said with a smirk, his hand resting on the counter as he leaned closer. I couldn't stand this guy.
I mustered a fake smile and shut my laptop, then leaned in toward him, fixing him with a determined gaze.
"First of all, who do you think you are? This is a free country, and it's Saturday – the perfect day to chat with someone and take advantage of this bar's free Wi-Fi," I retorted.
"Well then, first of all, hi, I'm Ryan," he said and offered his hand to me. I shook it.
"Kate," I said, and let his hand go. He nodded at me in acknowledgment.
"Second, I own this bar and the free Wi-Fi you're currently using. Thank you," he said. I just smirked at him and held my hands up, looking at him. He chuckled and then spoke again.
"What are you really doing? I mean, you're a pretty girl. Did you even try to look outside? This is New York for heaven's sake! There were millions of single men walking outside this bar and you chose to just chat with some guy online." he said disbelievingly. What the!? Why does he even care?
"Okay Ryan, this online site is the fastest way to find a date and increase my odds," I said.
He suddenly sighed in defeat, and I sweetly smiled at him. "Okay fine, wait. This is the first time I saw you here," he said questioningly.
"Yeah, it's my first time here. Actually, I moved here a month ago," I said and looked away at him. I opened my laptop and saw that I had 3 requests.
"Oh, I see. There's always a party here every weekend..." he said, but I didn't hear everything he said because I started to read the first guy who sent me a request.
"Definitely not," I mumbled and clicked the decline button.
"What?" Ryan suddenly asked, which caused me to glance at him.
"Oh, nothing," I said and went back to my laptop's screen.
"So, are you going?" he asked.
"Uh..Um...Yeah, sure," I stammered, feeling a rush of excitement as I glanced at him. "
Okay then, see you around," he said, flashing a charming smile at me. I couldn't help but respond with a nod and a smile of my own.
As he walked to the other side of the counter to serve other customers, I went back to studying the next guy's information, but I couldn't shake off the excitement. It felt like I might have a date tonight!
I couldn't help but smile as I accepted his request.
IMCLARKY: HEY, THANKS FOR ACCEPTING ;)
KATEYLOVE: NO PROB.
IMCLARKY: DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO TONITE? DO YOU WANT TO MEET?
KATEYLOVE: NOTHING SOUNDS GOOD.
IMCLARKY: GREAT! SO, YOU PICK A PLACE TO MEET THEN
KATEYLOVE: MEET ME @ ROCKWELL BAR, 7 PM ;)
IMCLARKY: OKAY, SURE! SEE YOU! ;)
With a satisfied grin, I closed my laptop and looked up at Ryan, who was busy flirting with a girl across the counter.
"Hey!" I exclaimed, and he turned to look at me, a puzzled expression on his face. I quickly gathered my belongings in my arms and gave him a sly wink, which only seemed to deepen his confusion as he furrowed his brow.
"I have a date tonight!" I announced, not waiting for his response. With that, I turned on my heel and walked briskly out of the bar, making my way to the side door and then up to my apartment.
It was my first date in two years...
- Writer
