Chapter 6 Dating Game (2)
- Samantha's Pov:
- “So, you’re saying if I do these next two dates, I’m free?” I asked.
- “Totally free,” she replied confidently. “You’ll never hear me mention it again.”
- “Fine,” I said reluctantly. “One more round of your ridiculous matchmaking, and that’s it. No more Mr. Wrong.”
- Rosy practically squealed in excitement on the other end. “I promise I’ll find someone worth your time this time! No disasters.”
- “Good luck with that,” I muttered, settling back on the couch.
- After I hung up, I tossed my phone onto the couch and took a long, deep breath, sinking into the cushions.
- How did Rosy always manage to rope me back into these things? Part of me knew I’d agreed just to get her off my case, but another part of me felt the faintest glimmer of curiosity, something I wasn’t about to admit to anyone, not even myself.
- I looked around my small living room, glancing at the half-finished canvas propped up by the window.
- Maybe it was good that I’d at least given Rosy a final chance to prove her point. If anything, it would mean I could close this chapter and throw myself fully into my art, guilt-free, knowing I’d given it an honest try.
- The next day, while I was working, my phone buzzed with a message from Rosy:
- “Okay, I set up your next date! His name’s Evan, and he works in finance. I thought you’d appreciate someone with a steady job, lol! Friday at 7?”
- I smirked, shaking my head. She wasn’t holding back this time.
- “Fine,” I replied, keeping it simple. I was already in too deep to turn back now.
- By Friday evening, I found myself standing in front of yet another cozy little restaurant, taking a deep breath.
- I’d dressed simply but elegantly, my mind racing with all the reasons why this was a bad idea. But I knew I had to keep my end of the bargain.
- Evan showed up right on time, well-dressed and polite, and within minutes, we were seated and ordering drinks.
- He was attractive, I had to admit, and his smile was genuine. For a while, things were going smoothly; he talked about his job, his love for hiking, and his slightly obsessive collection of vinyl records. It was pleasant, if a little predictable.
- As the appetizers arrived, Evan leaned in, his tone suddenly intense.
- “So, Samantha, what’s your plan after dinner tonight?”
- I raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “Uh… I’m not sure what you mean.”
- He gave a sly smile and leaned back in his chair, shrugging.
- “Come on, Sam, I think you know exactly what I mean,” he said, as he raised his hand to flag down the waiter for the bill.
- The gesture, combined with his smug tone, made everything clear. My stomach twisted with anger.
- “You piece of—”
- I muttered under my breath, barely loud enough for him to hear.
- He didn’t flinch, still wearing that infuriating smirk as he looked back at me.
- “What’s the problem?” he asked, as if he were perfectly innocent.
- I narrowed my eyes, unable to keep my voice steady.
- “Do you… do you really think I came here tonight for that? What do you take me for?”
- His smirk faded a bit, but he still had that self-assured look in his eyes.
- “Look, let’s not make this complicated, Sam. We’re both adults, right?”
- I shook my head in disbelief, feeling my patience evaporate.
- “First of all, it’s Samantha. And second, you’re unbelievable. I’m here for an actual date, not whatever you seem to think this is.”
- I stood up, ignoring the people at nearby tables who were starting to look over.
- “You know what? Keep your plans and your bill.”
- I tossed a few bills on the table to cover my half, grabbed my bag, and walked out without another word.
- Outside, I took a deep breath, letting the cool evening air calm my nerves. I pulled out my phone, scrolling down to Rosy’s name when a voice behind me interrupted.
- “I’m guessing your date didn’t go quite as planned?”