I remember pulling up to her apartment complex, a run-down set of campus buildings characterized by the yells of Friday night pre-gaming and no free parking spaces. Building eight, the only one with a busted floodlight, A simple text announcing my arrival. Watching the ground floor staircase for eons in anticipation of seeing her again. Blinking twice like the protagonist does in the cheesy rom-coms she loved so much as I shook the disbelief off of me. Dressed in a beautiful black skirt, the thick kind made out of jean-like material, with a light green blouse and shining white shoes. Those chestnut eyes were so big and glowing, hair in a kinetic ponytail, with bright red lipstick to complete the meal.
I stepped out and moved to the passenger side, opening her door for her. "Hi Mariela. You look amazing."
"Thanks! Sorry, I was getting ready when I saw your text."
"It's all good. Did I mention you look great?"
She giggled. I squeezed her hand and shut the passenger door with the largest smile on my face. I should have called Guinness.
Putting the car in reverse, I put my arm behind the passenger head seat. I'd gotten a pump in today at the gym and of course she needed to see that. I may have caught a glimpse and a smirk, but a quick pivot forward right after.
"So," I began, "tell me about your day."
She adjusted her blouse and said, "Mmm, it was all right. I have an anatomy exam on Tuesday so I've been buried in that all afternoon."
Women in STEM and healthcare are my kryptonite. Especially one so cute as this.
"I love that."
"You love anatomy?"
"I love the fact you are taking anatomy."
A pause.
"I mean, it's required for nursing school."
"It's not easy. It says a lot about you."
She giggled. "Like what?"
"Like you don't shy away from challenges. That's a good trait."
I looked over. Another smirk.
"Thanks."
An awkward pause. I usually interrupt these with something pre-saved but the way this girl had me hostage erased my memory bank.
"So Oliver," she asked, "how was work?"
We texted every day for a week after I approached her at the bookstore. It was one of those chance meetings, the rare ones in a man's life, where forces beyond his control compel him to converse with living works of art. I didn't even know the author of the book she was examining in the aisle, but I still told her it was an awesome read and that she should definitely purchase it. A few self-deprecating jokes and some compliments later, and the story continued over text. The age gap did come up briefly, but my fears were soothed when she told me she's dated older guys before. Still, me being 31 and her a junior in college was a little, what? What is the correct word--bothersome? Unethical? Hot?
I didn't know.
"Work sucked. I closed two deals but the air conditioning was out all day."
"Well, at least you got some commission!"
"Yeah," I went on, "and that's why we're going to have a fun night."
"I'm excited."
So was I.
The dinner went by in blurs, as I couldn't concentrate. She'd ask questions and I'd delay my responses because I wasn't there. I was in her eyes. In those beautiful lips, in the gold earrings that dangled and shone in the light, in the smooth hands that cupped her wine glass. They say that quantum physics allows particles to be in simultaneous states at once.
"Will this be on two tickets or one?" asked the waitress.
"Just one, please." I responded.
Ana looked surprised. "Wow. You're paying for my meal?"
I was confused. "Yeah, of course? It's a date."
"No one's done that before."
"Dated some bums, have we?"
"You have no idea."
I paid the check and we got up to leave.
"So," she asked, "where are you taking me now?"
"Do you like to dance?"
"Oh my God, yes!"
"Then you're going to love this."