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Fiction Short Story

by Vicky Green

The Date

“Excuse me. I’m sorry. Gee, I hope that isn’t leather.” Alexa Davis felt like she had just been sucked into a giant vortex. Her nerves jangled and her body jostled as she squeezed through the mass of bodies toward the long mahogany bar. She peered between glasses, bottles, purses, elbows, and over heads as she searched the crowded lounge for Kevin, her Internet date. “Here I stand,” she mumbled, “a lost soul amongst a plethora of happy hour partygoers celebrating the end of another long work week. “ Okay, maybe I’m being dramatic but come on, what have I gotten myself into? My sanity must have fled south when I let Jillian talk me into doing this. It was a mistake to come here. Who in their right mind would make a date with a total stranger from Cyberspace? I’m out of here.”

Alexa turned, pushed her way through the packed pub and ran smack into a tall, muscular male chest. She grimaced, looked up and gasped as she stared into the bluest eyes she’d ever seen. His broad shoulders and thick, dark hair struck her attention for a moment, but her focus returned to the mesmerizing eyes and rendered her speechless.

Ryan Matthews noticed Alexa the moment she walked through the door. Her long auburn hair flowed down her back, shone in the dimly lit bar and captured his attention. He stood still and gazed into her sparkling emerald green eyes as she backed away from him.

“I am so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” Alexa cleared her throat and her hands trembled as she spoke. She appeared confused and uncomfortable.

Ryan snapped out of his captivated state. “You don’t need to apologize. Look around. People are bumping into each other left and right. Are you all right? You’re shaking. Can I get you something to drink?”

Alexa’s thoughts spun. What’s happening to me? I must have bumped into this guy harder than I thought. His rock hard upper torso must have momentarily knocked me out.

Alexa flashed a nervous smile. “I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else.”

Ryan looked puzzled and shrugged.

“That offer for a drink is still open. You look like you could use one.”

An instant attraction to the dark-haired stranger sparked her senses. Why couldn’t he be Kevin? What should she do? Decline the drink offer, knowing that her date could show up any minute? Where was he anyway? She glanced at her watch. He was fifteen minutes late. She looked back at Ryan. Single women fantasize about situations like this. And probably some married ones too. It would be a travesty to turn him down. One drink won’t hurt.

“I’ll have a Bacardi and Coke with a twist of lime.”

Ryan watched a display of emotions pass over Alexa’s face. He was amused at her anxiety. Who is this woman and why do I have such a strong desire to know everything about her? Is she meeting someone, or just trying to blend in? It would be difficult for her to be another average face in the crowd.

“Are you here alone or meeting someone? I should have asked you that before I offered you a drink. It’s just that you looked lost and I felt the need to rescue you from the mass of partygoers that had you surrounded.”

Alexa felt squeamish. If I tell him why I’m floundering like a fish out of water, will he hand me my drink and walk away? I would love to get to spend some time with him. A sexual urge rose through her body.

“It can’t be that bad. Try me. Once you get to know me, you’ll see that I have an open mind.”

Alexa hooked on to the “once you get to know me” part of his statement. It thrilled her to think he wanted her to get to know him. She remembered why she was at Charley’s and a sense of dread overwhelmed her thoughts.

Ryan sensed Alexa’s unease.

“How about if I tell you why I’m foolish enough to be in the middle of this circus? Will that make you feel better?”

“Sure, why not?” Alexa waved him on to explain.

“I left the office and something told me to stop here on my way home. It’s strange. It’s like my car pulled me in this direction. I don’t make it a habit to frequent Charley’s during happy hour. I prefer to come by when it’s quieter. I can carry on a conversation with my friends and not worry about causing bodily injury to innocent bystanders.” He winked at Alexa.

Alexa’s insides quivered.

The bartender nodded at Ryan, “What can I get for you, sir?”

“Bud Light for me and a Bacardi and Coke for the lady.”

“You got it, buddy.”

Ryan continued, “That’s Kip, my best friend. We go way back. He is part owner here.” Ryan offered his hand to Alexa.

“Ryan Matthews.”

Alexa accepted the handshake and smiled.

“Alexa Davis. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Alexa froze. Where did that come from? What is happening to me? I’m not thinking straight. I’m acting like a silly school girl. How do I get myself into these predicaments? I could strangle Jillian.

“I came here tonight to help out a friend. She insisted I try an online dating service. I would not have agreed to it, but she can be persuasive at times. I owed her a favor, plus she wouldn’t take no for an answer. I agreed to go on a date with a guy I’ve been exchanging emails with and here I am. It sounds ridiculous, I know.”

Ryan held back a chuckle as he listened to Alexa’s story. His silence increased Alexa’s discomfort level and her brow furrowed. Ryan smirked and they both laughed.

“Online dating is a common occurrence these days. Look around you. I bet you half of these people are meeting for the first time. Just think, you’re part of the norm. You’re braver than I am. With my luck, I’d get involved with another tire slasher.”

Alexa’s head retreated and she looked baffled.

Ryan shook his head. “Forget I said that. It’s a long story.” He watched as Alexa scanned the area.

Ryan didn’t know why, but he didn’t like the idea of Alexa meeting another guy. “It’s too bad your date hasn’t shown up yet. Mind if I hang out? At least until he gets here, and I can figure out a way to get rid of him.”

She imagined herself drowning in pools of blue that emanated from his eyes. He smiled and she felt butterflies flutter in her stomach. What would be the harm in continuing their conversation a little longer? It was better than hanging out alone. And what if Kevin stood her up? She would be insane to pass up an opportunity like this. Boy, was Jillian going to love this one.

Alexa spotted Kevin. She recognized him from the picture he posted on his profile. She thought he looked better in the picture. He appeared to be in deep conversation with a tall, svelte blonde who looked like she just graduated from high school.

“Do you see your date?” Ryan asked as he handed Alexa her drink.

“Yes, but he seems to be engrossed with someone else. It’s for the best. I wasn’t all that anxious to meet up with him anyway.”

Ryan sighed and sipped his beer.

“So, you’re not disappointed?”

Alexa looked up into Ryan’s eyes and smiled.

“No, not in the least.”

Alexa lifted two thumbs up in her mind. She raised her glass and clanked it against Ryan’s bottle. I’ll have to remember to thank Jillian the next time I see her.


About the Author
Vicky Green is a legal assistant living in Fort Worth, Texas with her two children. She is an avid fan of the romance genre and is working on her first novel.