A beautiful storm *COMPLETE*

Date time

MADELINE POV

Tuesday came faster than I anticipated. I kind of dreaded this date. I wished that I didn’t agree to go and tried to think of any reason to cancel, but couldn’t come up with a good enough one. Josh was nice, but he wasn’t my type. I knew his intentions. He didn’t care to get to know me. He just wanted a good lay. He was part of our friend group, so I didn’t want to be rude, but I had no intention of entertaining his needs. I got dressed in a simple pair of denim shorts and a white, flowy tank top. I braided my hair to the side, throwing the length of it over my shoulder. I slipped on a pair of cute, nude colored sandles. It was 6:30, so I had time to put on a little makeup. I swiped a bronze-colored eyeshadow over my eyelid and along my lower lash line, curled my lashes and applied a thick layer of mascara. I finished the look with a nude lip gloss. I was headed out to grab my purse when I heard a knock at the door. I opened the door and Josh was standing there with a bouquet of daisy's. “You look amazing Mads.” He said as he handed me the flowers. “Thank you, you don’t look too bad yourself.” Josh was an attractive guy. He had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. His cheek bones were structured and he had a great smile. I invited him in while I got a vase for the flowers. I returned with the vase while he was looking at my gallery wall. “I’ve seen a few of these. They seemed a little overpriced for what they are.” he chuckled. I crinkled my nose. He didn’t have an appreciation for art. That would go on the list of negative personality traits. “I think that art is priceless. Each piece is unique and worth every penny.” I countered. He looked a little surprised but just nodded, like he understood. Tonight is going to be interesting.

Josh brought me to Flamingo’s for dinner. We were seated and I was shocked when none other than my favorite waitress walked up to take our drink order. “You sure do get around” she snorted. I rolled my eyes. Josh looked at me confused. She turned to him to ask what he wanted to drink “We will take a bottle of red wine and two glasses please.” he smiled. “Sure thing handsome” she winked and walked away. I groaned. “What was with her comment?” he asked, clearly irritated at her suggestion. “I came in here for dinner for my birthday with Damien and Gemma. She was openly flirting with Damien and she overheard me saying that it was shameless to be flirting while wearing a wedding ring.” I shrugged. “So what’s with you and Damien?” he asked. Of course that’s what he would ask about. I sighed “Nothing. We were just getting acquainted since he will be my right hand at work.” He scoffed “Doesn’t look like ya’ll are just getting acquainted.” I narrowed my eyes at him “What are you going on about?” He put his hands up in surrender “I just see the way he looks at you. Be careful, Mads. I don’t want you to get your heart broken.” He said, tilting his head. I personally find it hilarious, considering he only wants me for one thing. Does Damien actually look at me like that? Surely I wasn’t the reason for his incident at work the other day. My thoughts were interrupted when the waitress came back to the table. “What would you like to eat, hun?” she asked Josh. “I will have the steak and lobster tail. Side of mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli. What about you Mads?” The waitress scoffed, not hiding her dislike for me. I’m getting irritated with her attitude. “I will take a ceasar chicken salad, no black olives, and dressing on the side please.” She gave me a tight-lipped smile that didn’t meet her eyes and turned away, heading back towards the kitchen. Josh made small talk. We really didn’t have a lot in common. He was in school to be a lawyer and I was not pursuing anything. “You should go to college Mads. Get out of the bar scene.” I just shook my head “I actually really enjoy my job. If I were to go, I would pursue a degree in art and I’m not sure that’s going to pay the bills” He furrowed his brows “So why don’t you go for something that will pay the bills?” “I’m not going to pay to go to college just so that I can be miserable for the rest of my life.” “You could always find yourself a successful man like me and just be a trophy wife.” he winked. I just shook my head. He clearly does not know me or doesn’t care. “Not what I’m looking for in my life.” I just smiled. He looked a little taken back by my comment, but quickly added “Maybe I could change your mind?” He reached across the table and grasped my hand. I didn’t miss the suggestion in his comment. The waitress arrived with our food. She glanced at our clasped hands and rolled her eyes. I don’t know what’s with the woman. She set our food down at the table and turned to Josh. “I don’t know who she is to you, but she was all over the guy she was with just a few days ago.” With that comment, she turned around and left the table. My jaw dropped. Not that it was any of Josh’s business, but how dare she. He looked very irritated now. “I thought you were just friends Mads. That doesn’t sound like just friends.” “Not that it’s any of your business, but she clearly has short term memory. I mean she couldn’t even get my order right.” I said the last part loudly, hoping that she could hear me. She screwed up my order on purpose. B*tch. We ate the rest of our dinner in silence. I couldn’t read Josh. We left quickly after we finished. He drove me home and I hesitated in the car. “Mads, I’ve wanted a shot with you for a long time. I don’t understand how some guy can show up and you forget about everything else.” Was he insane. I might as well rip the bandaid off on this one. Maybe he will get it if I’m honest. “Josh, I think you’re a really great guy, but I’m just not into dating.” He looked hurt. “So why did you go out on this date with me?” That’s a really good question. I can’t say ‘Probably because I felt horrible for having a full-blown panic attack directed a you’. “Honestly, I’m not sure. Despite everything, I think that we have a good time. As friends. I hope that you can accept that.” He looked like I had just slapped him. Great. This is going so well. He just nodded. “Thank you for dinner and the beautiful flowers.” He just nodded again, I let myself out and he sped off as soon as I hit the sidewalk. What a gentleman I thought while rolling my eyes.