Blind Date of a lifetime

Bethany was sitting at the table of a 5-star French-themed restaurant that was way above her normal price range for dining out. Despite her fun-loving name, she never dated. She hated first dates. How in the hell did she allow her best friend to set up a blind date for her, of all things?

She was wearing a slick black dress, purchased at the last minute from a local boutique, but she felt uncomfortable wearing it. It wasn't her style but even she admitted that it looked good on her.

Her date was late... all she knew about him that his name was Frank, and he'd be wearing a black suit when he showed up.

Is he going to stand me up?

She tried to remain calm with her situation. She sighed and when she looked across the restaurant, she saw a man dressed in a fine black suit at the entrance. He was handsome. Far more attractive than she thought she was worth.

Oh god... is that him?

He crossed the room and came straight to her. "Bethany?"

She nodded stiffly. He sat down across from her.

"I'm sorry that I'm late. My name is Frank."

She cleared her throat. "Shall we order then?"

He nodded and beckoned to the waiter, whom seemed to obey immediately. This was a man in control.

The waiter nodded. "Are you ready to order?"

Frank looked at Bethany, wanting her to order first. She swallowed.

"I'd like the house salad, the 12 oz. steak, medium-well, with a side of steamed potatoes and a slice of cheesecake at the end of the meal."

She sighed. I can't believe I was able to do that without stuttering.

Frank nodded. "I'll have the same. And a bottle of your finest Merlot, chilled, with two glasses."

The waiter left. Frank looked at her and seemed to see her soul.

"Tell me about yourself."

She gulped. "I work, eat and sleep. There is nothing interesting about me."

Frank smiled. "Then... we share that in common. I feel the same way about myself. I haven't had many relationships, but they always fail because I work too much. I'm kinda hoping that my friend was right that we had a lot in common. That we could be a good fit for each other..."

Bethany's heart thumped in her chest. "I judge my men by their taste in science fiction, or lack there of. Are you a Star Wars or Star Trek guy?"

Frank seemed to consider the question. "I like both of them equally but I'm more fond of Babylon 5, though, not a lot of people seem to have heard of it,"

Bethany was stunned. He shares my passion?

The wine and salads came quickly and Frank poured the wine for both of them. They spoke on lighter topics, trying to get a better feel for each other while eating. The conversation flowed like nothing Bethany had ever enjoyed, as did the wine, one glass of Merlot at a time.

The main course was served and finally the dessert. She found it was easier to talk over dessert, the main meal finished. She felt like she had known him a lifetime by the time dessert was served.

"So... what now?"

Frank seemed passive. "I don't know."

Bethany stilled. "What do you mean?"

Frank sighed. "I like what I see in you. I think we have a future together, if we want to try but every time I give my heart out, it gets broken. I'm not sure I trust myself."

Bethany sighed. "My last boyfriend cheated on me. I would never do the same to anyone I cared about. Trust isn't easy. I fully understand your position."

Frank seemed to process her statement and looked up sharply, asking a playful question with absolute seriousness.

"What do you want?"

Bethany looked back at him and smiled timidly. She recognized the line from Babylon 5 like any true fan would.

"Are you a Shadow agent?"

Frank's expression softened and he smiled.

"No. But I want to know what you want. I want to know how to be the prefect man for you, if I can be."

Bethany smiled. "Aren't you already the prefect man?"

Frank sighed. "My pervious girlfriends would say no."

Bethany's breath clinched in her throat. She decided to go all out.

"I want to be treated like a Princess, with the understanding that I am not good with social gatherings and large crowds. I'm surprised that I've been able to tolerate this restaurant for this long."

Frank stared at her for so long in silence that she thought she would break.

"Do you truly want me to treat you like a Princess?"

Bethany locked her eyes upon him. "Yes."

Unexpectedly, Frank smiled at her.

"Then, in the sprint of Disney Princesses', it shall be so, Will you marry me?"

Bethany's throat closed on her. She squeaked out.

"What?"

Frank asked again. "Will you marry me? Most Disney Princes propose to their Princess on something akin to the first date. So... will you marry me?"

She emptied her glass of Merlot and gulped.

"It may be the wine speaking, but yes, I'll marry you."

Frank drained his glass of Merlot as well. "Then... may we live happily ever after."

She leaned over the table and they shared a first kiss that whole books could be written about.

The future was looking bright.

Written by Timothy Talbert, 4-14-21

Edited 9-25-21