Love at First Sight

“Well, let’s get this over with.”

Celeste said to her reflection in the review mirror.

It had been a long day or really week, for that matter.

Short-staffed at work, an ailing mother and a teenage daughter whose sole purpose was to turn her hair grey, Celeste had no idea why she agreed to go on a blind date amid all the chaos.

“Marty’s a wonderful guy.” Her cousin Joan had insisted. ” I bet it’s love at first sight.”

Celeste chuckled as she climbed from the driver’s seat and into the steamy mid-July air.

Joan’s sincerity and a moment of temporary insanity had her agreeing.

So here she was with a belly full of nerves, walking across a gravel parking lot in a pair of heels that were presently making her life hell to have drinks with a perfect stranger.

Once safely inside, she glanced at her reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror behind the hostess station.

She looked good in the black halter dress. The style showed off enough of her slight tan without being too revealing, and the simple lines complimented her generous figure.

Her hair, which she had spent an hour curling then decided instead to pull into a simple ponytail because of the heat.

Celeste leaned in close and was satisfied the rich mahogany showed nary a strand of grey.

“May I help you?” A woman who appeared from nowhere asked from behind the desk.

“Ah yes, I’m Celeste Roberts. I’m meeting someone —err a Marty here.”

As she spoke, she realized in all the back and forth she didn’t remember his last name, or worse yet, perhaps Marty had not provided one.

The woman nodded with a tight smile. “I’ll seat you in the bar.”

They walked along to the tempo of light Jazz playing softly through the overhead speakers. The lounge was busier than she expected. Couples and groups filled up the tables. Their laughter and conversations carried to her ears as the hostess sat her at a high top in the corner.

The bar was standing room only, and Celeste peered through the low lighting for anyone who resembled the photo Marty provided.

“What can I get for you?” A smiling waiter asked.

“Merlot, please,” Celeste returned his smile and once again scanned the room.

Marty was now late, and she was getting a bad feeling.

Relax. She thought to herself. Just like the last date that ghosted you, enjoy some alone time, wine, and some people watching.

Time ticked by, and the waiter returned with the wine.

“This is courtesy of the gentleman at the bar.”

“Oh boy, please thank him, but I’m waiting for my date. “

The young man went to distribute a few more drinks before heading back to the bar. Celeste watched out the corner of her eye to see who he addressed.

Several men were there sitting alone, but the waiter spoke to none of them.

“Damn, I can’t catch a break. “she said as she lifted the glass to her lips.

She inhaled the autumn notes of clove, overripe fruit, and vanilla before imbibing on the velvety smooth liquid.

One sip lead to another, and Celeste smiled; she’d have another glass of that.

A trio of musicians gathered on a small stage and began to tune their instruments. Celeste checked the time on her cell phone. Well, that’s a wrap. She thought, deciding that maybe good wine and music were all a girl needed.

“Was the Merlot to your satisfaction?” A deep voice said from over her shoulder.

Little ripples of excitement fluttered along her nerves as she glanced up, and her eyes met his.

Suddenly words eluded her, and she was grateful when he held out his hand.

“I’m Aaron. I couldn’t let an extraordinary woman like you drink just any ordinary Merlot.”

Ah, Celeste thought, hearing the slight tremble in his voice. For all his bravado, he was as nervous as she.

“I’m Celeste.” She felt a giddy smile pulling at her lips.

“I loved the wine, thank you.” Once again, she got lost in his gaze.

“In fact, I was thinking of getting another glass.”

She took a deep breath for the courage to ask, “would you care to join me?”

“Aren’t you waiting on your date?”

Aaron asked as he sat in the seat adjacent to her.

He signaled with two fingers at the waiter across the room before facing her again.

“He stood me up.” Celeste chuckled at his pained expression.

“His loss... my gain.” Aaron teased with a wickedly handsome grin.

Celeste smiled and thought.

Mine too.

On her way home a few hours later. With a second date arranged, Celeste touched her fingers to her lips. She could still feel the warmth of their kiss and felt another surge of something exciting and delicious.

The cell phone in her purse rang, lighting up the display on the vehicle’s dashboard. It was Joan.

“Hi, just checking on you.” she chirped through the speaker.

“Geez, isn’t it past your bedtime?” Celeste teased and nudged the car into the alley behind her house.

“Celeste come on, I’m dying here—did you have a nice time?” Joan implored.

By the sound of her voice, Celeste knew her cousin was bursting at the seams with curiosity and had no idea the fabulous Marty stood her up.

“Nice enough.” Celeste hid her amusement and pulled into the driveway.

“Okay, so what does that mean?”

“It means nothing went as planned.”

Celeste put the car in park and heard Joan blow out a long breath.

“Well, I’m home now.” Celeste continued. “So, can I give you the short version?”

“I guess.”

“Well, as I said, nothing went as planned. None of it.” Celeste sighed dramatically and paused.

“But— you were right about one thing.” Celeste once again felt a flutter of excitement in her belly.

“Oh yeah? What?” Joan asked, more energetic now.

“Well, cuz.”

Celeste smiled as she gathered her purse from the passenger seat.

“I did experience love at first sight.”

The End