Ride the Sunset

Unexpected All Round

Alastair

Mia: How about we grab a bite to eat sometime?

I read Mia’s message and smiled. We had been chatting on and off for two weeks and I really enjoyed talking to her. But that didn’t mean I was ready to meet her. I had probably been over-eager with Sandy and that had turned out horribly.

Mia: Too much?

One thing was for sure, I liked her confidence. Mia didn’t seem to shy away from any topic.

Mia: You can say no *wink, wink*

I chuckled as I leaned back against the headboard. It was late, and I needed to get up in a few hours. But it was great chatting to her. Maybe it would be different this time.

Alastair: What did you have in mind?

I questioned thoughtfully. Mia was a vegetarian and, while that didn’t bother me, I wasn’t a vegetarian. I loved my meat. If she insisted on some veggie place, then I had a feeling we wouldn’t be a match.

Mia: I was thinking about going to the park. Maybe pack a picnic?

That sounded too romantic for a first meeting and first date.

Mia: Going to eat out somewhere is fine with me. I just thought it would be more comfortable to do something a bit more casual.

She wasn’t wrong, but it still felt far too romantic. I quickly shut down that idea.

Alastair: That’s a no from me. I like picnics, but it feels a little bit too romantic for a first meeting.

I did like talking to her, and we had even gone so far as to chat on the phone. She sounded like a lovely woman. She was funny and very straightforward. It was refreshing to talk to someone who didn’t beat about the bush. I also wasn’t surprised when she called me instead of texting me back.

“Hey, Mia,” I said as I answered her call.

“Hey, Alastair…do you really think a picnic is too romantic?” she questioned, and I chuckled.

“For me, it is,”

“Well…ok…I just thought that if neither of us are feeling it, we wouldn’t have to be embarrassed if we wanted to make a run for it,” she said, and I burst out laughing. Now that she had explained her madness, it made sense.

“Well, then, if that’s your idea of a quick get-a-way, then who am I to argue?”

“So, does that mean yes?” she asked, and I nodded.

“Yes,” I said as I realized she couldn’t see me.

“Great!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Now, I know you aren’t a vegetarian, and I won’t try and force you, but do you trust me to take care of the food?” she had gone from playful to serious in a split second. I didn’t trust her. I didn’t know her well enough and the thought of her preparing something she didn’t eat or enjoy didn’t sit well with me.

“Won’t that bother you?” I questioned.

“No, I learned a long time ago that my preferences are my own. I mean, I’ll always encourage those around me…but no, you eating meat will not bother me,” she explained and confirmed. I still didn’t trust her, but I wasn’t about to say that to her.

“Ok, go for it,” I said. We spent the next few minutes sorting out the details before we said good night and hung up. I scrolled through the Love Connection app for a bit before I set my phone down and switched off the light. However, as I lay on my back in the darkness, my mind was far too busy thinking about Jacob, that sleep wasn’t about to come easily. I sighed as I leaned over and switched on the light. As the room flooded with a soft glow, I sighed even louder than before. How was I going to get Jacob off my mind? Ever since we had officially become friends, the man couldn’t seem to leave me alone. It wasn’t as if I minded, but the mixed signals was messing with my head. On one hand, Jacob seemed happy that I was on the dating app, but then he seemed to be jealous and on the verge of crazy. It was so confusing. I contemplated reading through our messages, but I knew it wouldn’t help. Getting to know Jacob even better was slowly killing me. My crush on him had grown and every second we spent together was torture.

“Alastair!” a voice called out, and I frowned as I shot up in bed. “Alastair!” the voice called again and this time I recognized that voice.

“Jacob?” I muttered as I got out of bed. I went over to the bedroom window and peeked outside. I was surprised to see Jacob standing beneath my window.

“Alastair!” I quickly opened my window and stuck my head out.

“Jacob, it’s almost one am, what the hell are you doing here?” I whisper shouted. He looked up at me, but his balance looked off.

“Alastair…!”

“Jacob…are you…are you drunk?” I asked in disbelief. Instead of answering me, he staggered off and disappeared. I half expected him to come inside but when I heard the sound of an engine, I ran out of my room and shot down the stairs as fast as I could. By the time I got the door open, I saw his rear lights as he drove off. It didn’t look as if he was speeding, so I closed the door and headed back upstairs. I grabbed my phone and waited. As I count down the minutes that passed, I silently hoped that he would make it home ok. After ten minutes, I called him.

“Yas?” he answered, and I was instantly relieved. I was even more relieved when I heard the loud bang of him closing his door. “Who this?”

“It’s me, Alastair,” I said. “Did you get home ok?”

“Yas, nighty, nighty, nighty,” he sang before he hung up. At least he was home safely, but my new buddy was going to be in trouble in the morning.