Yeah, we were.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off of the table, it wasn’t like I was genuinely entranced by every painfully minuscule detail. I was just trying to find something to distract myself with while I waited in this horribly pretentious restaurant. A deep blue table cloth with swans embroidered on top would have to do.

Oh god. Why was I doing this again?

My eyes flickered to the phone just beside me as it lit up with another round of encouraging texts from my best friend.

‘Hope everything is going well!’ One of them read.

Oh yeah, that’s why.

I was here because Lilah decided she was tired of how little I cared about my nonexistent dating life. In all honesty, I had only been on one date in my 24 years of life and I was completely fine with it. No one had ever caught my attention enough to change the fact and I wasn’t looking to date for the hell of it. I was content.

That was until days ago when Lilah burst into our shared apartment, flailing around about someone she managed to set me up with. There was no room for argument and I decided I would indulge her little fantasy about me finding ‘The One’.

Of course, now, here I was waiting what seemed like forever for a date that was supposed to be here about half an hour ago in a place that really wasn’t my thing. I flipped my phone on its face, letting out a sigh as I stared at the empty seat in front of me. It was a good thing I chose a table farther away from the rest of this restaurant’s inhabitants, though, I would have died from embarrassment if I had to watch them watch me with pitiful smiles as if that would make me feel better. I definitely wouldn’t have still been here if that were the case.

“Why am I still here anyway?” I muttered to myself, already knowing the answer. As much as I hated to admit it I was slightly excited about the date. To see if this risky move would lead me to something I had been waiting for for a very long time. I was starting to lose hope.

A suit-clad man walked up to the table, his third time tonight. I stared up at him with a scarily optimistic smile and he stared back with a more ‘I feel bad for you ’ one. Under the dim lighting of the establishment, the look could have been mistaken for disgust.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything I could get you while you wait?” He said, holding out a thicker drink menu than the actual menu in front of me. I pondered the idea for a moment, thinking about a glass of wine or two that would be a perfect start for the amount of high percentage alcohol waiting for me when I got back home.

“Maybe a glass of Merlot before I’m kicked out?” I was completely serious but the way I said it must have seemed off because the man stared at me. As if waiting for me to laugh it off and then leave. Once he realized how serious I was he nodded quickly, walking away before either of us could combust under the awkwardness. My phone vibrated against the table, and then again after I ignored it the first time. I lifted the phone with a sigh, eyes immediately focusing on another set of messages from Lilah.

‘It must be going great if you’re not replying!’

‘I can’t wait to hear the deets!’

It was a struggle to not chuck my phone across the room. I set the phone down again, taking a moment to look around the restaurant. I could see my waiter leaning against a small bar, obviously flirting with another employee behind it.

He probably forgot about my Merlot.

I could feel the slight breeze of a door opening, accompanied by out of place heavy breathing and frantic speaking. I looked towards the entrance to see a tall suit-clad woman slightly hunched over the hostess’s stand. I strained little to hear the conversation.

“I’m here to meet,” A deep breath, “To meet an Evangeline Hale.”

I froze, my name falling from breathless lips a shock. The hostess nodded, grabbing a menu before leading the woman to my table. I hurried to face forward, acting as if I hadn’t been paying attention to the scene. My stomach filled with nerves the closer they got, I could hear each clack of heels like it was the only sound for miles.

Suddenly a warm presence stood beside me and I looked up feigning surprise. The woman was gorgeous, probably the most beautiful person I had ever seen. Her suit, in and of itself, left nothing to the imagination. Most of the button-up that wasn’t tucked into her slim-fitting slacks was left open to reveal the pale skin between her breasts and then some. I was at a loss for words- until I remembered I had been sitting here for nearly an hour waiting for this goddess.

“You’re late,” I said, trying my best to look nonchalant. Her easily golden brown eyes bored into mine and then away just as frantically.

“You’re beautiful.” The woman blurted.

My jaw dropped, a red blush creeping up my cheeks. The hostess who stood a few feet away looked between us with worry, she set down the other menu and quickly walked away. The woman’s eyes widened as she scrambled for words,

“I’m sorry, my car broke down and I tried getting a ride but that didn’t work out either so I just ran here as fast as I could-”

“You ran here?” I interrupted. Considering how flawless she still looked I couldn’t find myself believing it. She was wearing heels. Still, I felt my annoyance ease just a bit. She nodded, moving to sit across from me.

“It was only a couple miles away, uh-with the way your friend Lilah talked about you I couldn’t just not show up. I’m Alexandra, by the way. Is there any way you can forgive me? ”

I was extremely flattered, but also a firm believer in making people earn your affection.

Like you don’t already want to give it to her.

I pushed the thought away, quickly thinking of something to say.

“Depends on how the rest of our night goes,” I said, hoping I didn’t sound as nervous as I felt. I was going for mysteriously flirty. Alexandra smiled, opening her mouth to speak just as the waiter who forgot my wine wound up to the table.

“I was starting to think you’d never show! What can I get for you ladies,” He said, letting out a laugh I was sure he thought was timely. I resisted the urge to glare at him. Alexandra’s smile wore off, she blinked rapidly taking in his words.

“How long were you waiting?” She asked me, ignoring the waiter who seemed to realize how unfunny his joke was.

“Almost an hour…”

Alexandra stood from her seat like she was on a mission, causing multiple pairs of eyes to settle on us.

“Do you want to get out of here? I don’t think I’ll be able to make it up to you in a place like this and I really want to make it up to you.”

My heartbeat rapidly in my chest at her proposition, I stared up at her with wide eyes. Hers stared back just as wide with a breathtaking sincerity. I looked down at the dumb swan-covered tablecloth and then at the waiter who was watching us like a soap opera. This place was pretentious as all hell.

I stood from my seat, “Just as long as we get to bring a bottle of Merlot with us.”

-

The both of us walked along a deserted beach, tipsy off the bottle of wine we managed to bring. I struggled to hold in a laugh,

"So you're telling me she saw you in a grocery store and followed you out just to tell you about me?"

Alexandra laughed, swinging her heeled boots through the air, "Yes! I saw her staring while we were inside but I just ignored it until I saw her abandon her cart and follow me out."

That's why she came home without groceries.

"I'm sorry, she’s a very straightforward person,” I took another sip of the wine, its slightly dry medium-bodied finish coating my tongue and throat. I hummed slightly as the faint notes of vanilla and black cherry invaded my taste buds. With another quick sip, I handed the bottle to Alexandra, hoping she would finish it off.

“I’m glad she was straightforward,” Alexandra said, taking the bottle and drinking what was left. My cheeks flushed, and I couldn’t tell if it was her words or the Merlot that caused it. With the way our hands slightly brushed against one another’s I had a feeling I knew the answer. I stopped suddenly, my eyes flickered to the moon’s reflection on the ocean. Without a word I sat on the sand, my dress secure beneath me. Alexandra stared down at me for a moment before doing the same.

“What did she say that made you run miles in heels just to meet me?” I looked out into the open water, my chest filled with a feeling I thought only existed in fairytales. It was a feeling I had longed for some time now.

“She said you looked at the world like it was art.”

I looked at Alexandra, who already had her eyes on me. They were soft, filled with the moon’s light and so much more. I never expected to feel like I did only having spent a few hours with her, but I did and I wouldn't have it any other way. Alexandra leaned in and I couldn't help but do the same. My eyes focused on a small freckle in the corner of her eye, instantly adoring the feature.

"She was right," Alexandra said, her nose slightly brushing against mine. My eyes fluttered shut when our lips touched, only to pull away a split second later when the sound of a car horn broke through the moment.

My head whirled around to find the source of the sound. I was met with the sight of a familiar vehicle and the excitable blonde who sat within it.

Lilah.

Her window rolled down,

"There you two are! I thought you died only to find you're having a true love kiss moment!" Her voice was loud and echoed through the night.

"Yeah we were, until you ruined it!" I yelled back, glaring at my best friend.

I looked at Alexandra who was smiling at the interaction between Lilah and I.

"We were?" She questioned, eyes glimmering.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring Lilahs screams of apology and kissed Alexandra.

Yeah, we were.