SECOND CHANCES

Chapter 4

The next two days seemed to fly by. When you don't want something to arrive time always seems to go faster. I wasn't necessarily dreading going to the double date but I wasn't looking forward to it either. I'm pretty sure Hannah is going to end up leaving me to fend for myself with Ryan's friend. I just prayed he wasn't some creep like last time.

"I heard you have a date tonight." Rina nudged my side as she came up to the desk. Rina was a part time employee, working a few shifts here and there while going to school. She was probably one of the most bubbliest people you'll ever meet. She's almost a female bugs bunny.

"It's not really a date."

"Are you sure about that?" She raised an eyebrow at me. "From the sound of it the two guys you are meeting tonight are severely hot."

"I wouldn't know." I shrugged.

"You don't even know what your date looks like? Do you even know his name?" She almost yelled incredulously. I guess it never really occurred to me to ask Hannah. I've rarely ever asked with the other guys so why now?

"It doesn't really matter anyways."

"What! It so does matter!" Thankfully at the moment no one was in the shop or Rina's yelling would have caused a scene.

"Here's what is going to happen tonight. We'll meet up with Ryan and his friend. The friend will either be nice and polite, clearly not wanting to be there either. Or he will be some horn dog that will flirt the entire meal. Then after dinner Hannah and Ryan are going to leave, where I will then be stuck with the said friend. Who I will have to decline to spend the night with and go home alone to drink a glass of wine while watching Gilmore Girls."

"Wow." Rina whistled. I may have been a bit of a pessimist when it came to love or dating in general. I didn't mean for it come off that way but it definitely did by the look on Rina's face.

It wasn't that I didn't believe in dating, it’s just never worked for me. What Hannah doesn't know is I tried to date after my break up with Harold. I went on a few dates with some guys but there was never that spark there. The worst part is the entire time I was on those dates I would only compare them to Harold.

I would compare everything from how the person dressed to the things we did on the date. It's hard moving on from a guy who was absolutely perfect. Who made you feel like you were the only girl that existed. After feeling that spark with someone and losing it, you can't recapture it with someone else. It isn't possible.

So after a few failed attempts of trying to move on with someone else I gave up, plus I had other pressing things to deal with at the time. It just wasn't in the cards for me to find someone. I wasn't quite sure if I ever would either.

"Sorry I just don't have high hopes, that’s all."

"Give the guy a chance. Who knows maybe he'll be the one." I refrained from rolling me eyes at her words. The one, yeah right.

"I'm just going to support Hannah."

"She does seem really into this guy." Rina remarked.

"Speaking of Hannah....where is she?" I questioned, looking around the store. As if on cue she walked through the front door beaming so wide you could probably see her in outer space.

"Bella I just found you the most perfect dress for tonight."

"But I already have dresses at home."

"Well I got you this. Think of it as a thank you for going on so many double dates with me." Hannah came up to the counter cradling a bag. I eyed it wirily not quite sure what she picked out for me.

"It better not be a stripper dress."

"It's not a stripper dress." She rolled her eyes at me. "You're gonna love it." Hannah almost had a bounce in her step as she placed it on the counter. Beside me Rina seemed just as excited to see what it was.

With the widest grin Hannah zipped opened the bag and pulled out the dress. I felt my eyes widen as I took it in. She was right...I loved it. It was simple yet screamed sexy with a deep v-cut front. I usually hated wearing white but this dress was made to be worn in white.

"Woah." Rina spoke first.

"Gorgeous, right?"

"It's going to look great with your hair!" Rina complimented. I reached out and touched the fabric of the dress. It kinda felt like cotton and silk together.

"Do you like it?" Hannah asked, waiting almost impatiently for my answer.

"I....I love it Han. Thank you." I breathed out.

"I knew you'd love it." Not gonna lie I for sure thought she got me a more scandalous dress. Wouldn't be the first time either. "Now we need to go home and get ready."

"But it's only 4." We didn't close the shop until 5 usually.

"And we have to meet them at 6. Two hours to get ready is barely any time at all." Maybe I have been out of it for so long cause two hours seemed like a long time.

"I have to close the shop," I started to say but Rina interrupted me.

"I can close up, I don't mind." She offered.

"You don't have plans?" Since when does Rina not have plans on a Friday?

"Not until later, plus it’s only an hour." She shrugged. "I really don't mind. Go home and get ready for your hot date." At the last part she winked at me. I went to argue but this time it was Hannah that cut me off.

"It's settled. Rina will close the shop and we'll go get ready. Let’s go." Hannah said in one breath, coming around the counter as she talked. Grabbing my elbow she tugged me out from behind the counter and towards the door, grabbing the dress on the way. Her strength surprised me.

"Rina make sure to lock the door and count the till!" I said over my shoulder and Hannah roughly jerked me behind her.

"I got this Bella don't worry." Rina called after me. Before I could say another word I was tugged out the door.