I’m very against me dating someone I work with. And then family stuff gets in the way…” Thoughts of my always-in-trouble younger sister traipse across my mind. “And then there’s having your best friend unable to always play wing woman because you work at the same company where your off times and days don’t always match, which also makes it difficult when you don’t want to brave the deep end alone. When all of those factors make it difficult, you’re not left with many options besides bracing for solo nights sitting on the dock as your future forever or trying alternative methods, like online dating or services to help your search be…theoretically…more successful.”
His nod appears to be one of understanding rather than judgment.
Which is good.
I get plenty of that shit everywhere else in life.
Don’t need it in this avenue, too.
“What do you say we slurp down a couple of these and then I tell you about my worst date?”
My eyes cut a glance at the perfectly plated group of oysters on the half shell accompanied by classic Mignonette sauce. Knowing I’ve barely eaten since breakfast thanks to an afternoon of running overdue errands and extreme preparations for a date I wasn’t expecting to ditch, I don’t hesitate to agree. “Just like two.” I meet his stare once more. “You’re not squiding out of telling me your horror story.”
“First off, I fucking love the term you chose.”
My smile is flashed once more.
“Second off, you have my word.”
His eyes reiterate the strength of his statement.
“Swear. Surfer’s honor.”
All of a sudden, Ax lets my hand go causing the strange ache to make a second appearance.
Yup.
Gonna have a long “come to the lifeboat” talk with myself about that shit later.
“I’ve always wanted to do this shit with someone but have never found anyone brave enough,” he begins to explain as he scoots closer. “My gut tells me I may have finally found the right person.”
Why do I wish that was the start of a proposal?
Am I really this…desperate?
When did I become desperate?
When did I cross that very thick line in the sand from simply wanting a relationship to being one phone call away from one of those terrible reality shows where you get married in ninety days or less like the romantic equivalent of delivery pizza?
“What um…,” my head shakes in an attempt to settle my thoughts, “what is it exactly you think I have enough courage to do?”
“Pick one up, making sure you keep it level, of course,” Ax instructs while executing the movement.
I promptly do the same and wait for more directions regarding things I don’t know.
“Loosen it,” he unnecessarily directs in tandem with using the tiny cocktail fork to complete the action. “Squeeze just a little lemon, so you don’t kill the natural water flavors you should be tasting. Something that so many people do, not realizing they’re robbing themselves of the unique taste, but also overcooking the delectable little morsel.”
His knowledge about the dish tempts me into smiling too wide.
Too bright.
Two things I can’t seem to stop doing around him.
“Now, here’s the part that requires you to be a little ballsy.” Ax unexpectedly bends his arm, has me bend mine, and then loops them together. “You’re gonna pour the shot into my mouth at the same time I’m gonna pour mine into yours.”
The added complication causes my eyebrows to pierce together.
“So far all the women I’ve come across aren’t willing to risk getting messy or aren’t willing to possibly waste a perfectly good oyster. Both reasons are quite telling of who they really are.” His eyes inquisitively linger in mine. “Question is, Brooklyn, who are you?”
Between his choice of phrasing and tone there’s no denying exactly what this is about.
People can tell you who they are every day of the week, but it’s what they show you that matters more than anything else.
And, apparently, Ax is one of those types of individuals who doesn’t give a damn who you claim to be.
He wants to see it for himself.
Caught that with his ocean surfing scenario.
Caught that when he asked could we sit with our toes in the sand.
Caught that – now that I think back – when he whisked me away to begin with.
It’s interesting to be with someone who, at every turn, gives you the chance to show who you really are whether you realize it or not.
I shamelessly let another smirk slide onto my face during my declaration, “I’m the type of woman who won’t hesitate to sneeze the