My brain is mush. These finals are killing me. I’ve got one
left. One measly final. Art History. I am ready to rock this thing. And take
copious naps afterwards. Ree and I rented a study room together, it’s got
couches, bean bags, computers, a tv, it’s pretty awesome. And we’ve been
practically living in this thing for the past two weeks. However, it’s been a
double edged sword, because it doesn’t have cell phone service. Thank God for
iMessages, but my mom thinks I’m avoiding her calls.
But, Reagan (hottie intern) has been texting me pretty
regularly. Which doesn’t suck. He goes to the other college in town. He is a
junior. He’s a marketing major. He’s so funny. And he texts me every morning.
Which kind of makes me melt. He and I have FaceTime’d a few times, and Fran
didn’t lie. The boy is attractive.
We’ve made plans to get dinner the day after tomorrow. He’s
already done with all his finals, but he’s hanging out to finish his
internship. And the day after tomorrow is his final day with Fran. He says they
really get along, and she’s asked him to come back next semester. So, he must
be smart. Which I kind of assumed, since he has such good grammar when we text.
I judge stuff like that...
---
After my last final, I crashed. Hard. And the next day, I
basically did everything a girl would do, get a pedicure, manicure, blow out,
do fun makeup. Luckily, Ree was totally on the ball about this, and was ready
to help me out. She and I just had a fun girls day to celebrate being done with
school! She was going to Chet’s family’s house the day after Christmas, and she
is going skiing with them the following day until it’s time for her to come
back to campus. I just still can’t really grasp this whole Chet thing. He’s
just too hot and cold for me. Like even now, that they’re truly together, he
still will fall off the planet for days at a time. She says she doesn’t mind
because it gives her time to do what she needs to, but like, I’d at least like
to know you’re thinking about me. Geez!
Reagan offered to pick me up at my dorm, which I thought was
very sweet. It’s hard to find a guy who will not just say “meet me here” when
you’re on a first date. I was totally a
mess when he text me that he was turning on to campus. He called shortly after,
and I gave him directions to my door. He told me when he was outside. I made my
way outside, totally a wreck. And there he was. Standing outside his car in
some very handsome dark wash jeans, an oxford shirt, and saddle oxford shoes.
He looked good. I suddenly worried my skinny jeans, riding boots, and chunky
sweater weren’t enough.
He walked up to me confidently. “You look fantastic,
Kathleen!” He kissed my cheek, and hugged me.
I blushed like a fool, thank God it was kind of dark. “Thank
you! You look very handsome. Thanks for picking me up.”
He was ushering me around to the passenger door. “Of course!
Thank you for making time for me. I knew your last few days have been a mess.”
We settled into the ride quietly. It was weird sitting with
someone that I spoke to so regularly, having never seen him. Oh my goodness,
though. Total. Gentleman. As we began driving, he headed past downtown, and to
Highlands. I began to freak. Highlands, while home to mostly underemployed
youths, it home to also some fancy restaurants, such as Highlands Grill and
Botega. We were not at a Botega date yet. At all! Luckily, he pulled into Taj
Inda. A rather casual Indian place that I love! Mainly because I could eat naan
all day every day.
“I love Taj!” I squealed.
“A little Frannie may have mentioned your deep seeded love
of naan. And hammered copper cups.” He winked. Oh gosh. The wink. This was
gonna be a good night folks. Good! Night!
Taj India is not a large place. So any place we were to sit
was going to be intimate. We were settled into a two person table in the back
corner. We settled in and ordered drinks.
“You did well, Reagan.” He laughed. I suddenly felt insecure
and gave a weird face. This only made him laugh more.
“I only get called Reagan at work or when I’m in trouble. My
friends call me Rea.”
I felt better, but quickly corrected him. “My best friends
is Ree. You can’t be Rea. We’re gonna have to change your name.” I quipped.
He laughed. “How about this, you can call me Sexy.” We both bust out in laughter.
Dinner went on without a hitch. Honestly, it was like we had
known each other for years. I am normally painfully awkward on first dates. And
granted, I had moments, like when I couldn’t feel out if he was being sarcastic
or not. But honestly, it wasn’t hard at all. We just meshed. It was nice.
After dinner, he asked if I wanted dessert. “Oh boy, I could
always eat dessert.”
“Okay, we’ll go to Steel City Pops. Want to go to the Summit
or Homewood?”
“NO!” I squealed. “That’s too far away! Let’s just go into
the Western, get some goodies and hang out.”
He laughed. “I don’t mind. It gives me an excuse to keep you
captive longer.”
“Please! I really want Little Debbie cakes...” I made puppy
dog eyes.
“Well, with a face like that.” He pulled me in for a hug. “Come
on, let’s get you a Zebra Cake, and we can watch a movie at my apartment.” My
eyes kind of popped out of my head. Was I read for this? Luckily, he read my
fear. “It’s okay. Both my roommates are already home for the break. No pressure
from the peanut gallery.” Oh, he read that concern wrong...
I nodded, and was suddenly headed towards his downtown newly
renovated loft complex. Oh goodness.
