The next two days seemed to fly by. When you don't want something to arrive time always seems to go faster. I wasn't necessarily dreading going to the double date but I wasn't looking forward to it either. I'm pretty sure Hannah is going to end up leaving me to fend for myself with Ryan's friend. I just prayed he wasn't some creep like last time.
"I heard you have a date tonight." Rina nudged my side as she came up to the desk. Rina was a part time employee, working a few shifts here and there while going to school. She was probably one of the most bubbliest people you'll ever meet. She's almost a female bugs bunny.
"It's not really a date."
"Are you sure about that?" She raised an eyebrow at me. "From the sound of it the two guys you are meeting tonight are severely hot."
"I wouldn't know." I shrugged.
"You don't even know what your date looks like? Do you even know his name?" She almost yelled incredulously. I guess it never really occurred to me to ask Hannah. I've rarely ever asked with the other guys so why now?
"It doesn't really matter anyways."
"What! It so does matter!" Thankfully at the moment no one was in the shop or Rina's yelling would have caused a scene.
"Here's what is going to happen tonight. We'll meet up with Ryan and his friend. The friend will either be nice and polite, clearly not wanting to be there either. Or he will be some horn dog that will flirt the entire meal. Then after dinner Hannah and Ryan are going to leave, where I will then be stuck with the said friend. Who I will have to decline to spend the night with and go home alone to drink a glass of wine while watching Gilmore Girls."
"Wow." Rina whistled. I may have been a bit of a pessimist when it came to love or dating in general. I didn't mean for it come off that way but it definitely did by the look on Rina's face.
It wasn't that I didn't believe in dating, it’s just never worked for me. What Hannah doesn't know is I tried to date after my break up with Harold. I went on a few dates with some guys but there was never that spark there. The worst part is the entire time I was on those dates I would only compare them to Harold.
I would compare everything from how the person dressed to the things we did on the date. It's hard moving on from a guy who was absolutely perfect. Who made you feel like you were the only girl that existed. After feeling that spark with someone and losing it, you can't recapture it with someone else. It isn't possible.
So after a few failed attempts of trying to move on with someone else I gave up, plus I had other pressing things to deal with at the time. It just wasn't in the cards for me to find someone. I wasn't quite sure if I ever would either.
"Sorry I just don't have high hopes, that’s all."
"Give the guy a chance. Who knows maybe he'll be the one." I refrained from rolling me eyes at her words. The one, yeah right.
"I'm just going to support Hannah."
"She does seem really into this guy." Rina remarked.
"Speaking of Hannah....where is she?" I questioned, looking around the store. As if on cue she walked through the front door beaming so wide you could probably see her in outer space.
"Bella I just found you the most perfect dress for tonight."
"But I already have dresses at home."
"Well I got you this. Think of it as a thank you for going on so many double dates with me." Hannah came up to the counter cradling a bag. I eyed it wirily not quite sure what she picked out for me.
"It better not be a stripper dress."
"It's not a stripper dress." She rolled her eyes at me. "You're gonna love it." Hannah almost had a bounce in her step as she placed it on the counter. Beside me Rina seemed just as excited to see what it was.
With the widest grin Hannah zipped opened the bag and pulled out the dress. I felt my eyes widen as I took it in. She was right...I loved it. It was simple yet screamed sexy with a deep v-cut front. I usually hated wearing white but this dress was made to be worn in white.
"Woah." Rina spoke first.
"Gorgeous, right?"
"It's going to look great with your hair!" Rina complimented. I reached out and touched the fabric of the dress. It kinda felt like cotton and silk together.
"Do you like it?" Hannah asked, waiting almost impatiently for my answer.
"I....I love it Han. Thank you." I breathed out.
"I knew you'd love it." Not gonna lie I for sure thought she got me a more scandalous dress. Wouldn't be the first time either. "Now we need to go home and get ready."
"But it's only 4." We didn't close the shop until 5 usually.
"And we have to meet them at 6. Two hours to get ready is barely any time at all." Maybe I have been out of it for so long cause two hours seemed like a long time.
"I have to close the shop," I started to say but Rina interrupted me.
"I can close up, I don't mind." She offered.
"You don't have plans?" Since when does Rina not have plans on a Friday?
"Not until later, plus it’s only an hour." She shrugged. "I really don't mind. Go home and get ready for your hot date." At the last part she winked at me. I went to argue but this time it was Hannah that cut me off.
"It's settled. Rina will close the shop and we'll go get ready. Let’s go." Hannah said in one breath, coming around the counter as she talked. Grabbing my elbow she tugged me out from behind the counter and towards the door, grabbing the dress on the way. Her strength surprised me.
"Rina make sure to lock the door and count the till!" I said over my shoulder and Hannah roughly jerked me behind her.
"I got this Bella don't worry." Rina called after me. Before I could say another word I was tugged out the door.
"Meet you here in half an hour." With that she disappeared into her own room. I stared after her for a minute before shaking my head. With nothing else to do I went to my own room to shower. If I didn't, I know for sure Hannah will come in here and kill me.I took my time getting in the shower. Personally I was in no rush to get ready. Wasn't like I was going to impress anyone. I had full plans on coming home alone after this date and watching some tv before bed. Just a usual Friday for me.I did take some time to wash my hair and make sure my legs were shaved. Wasn't going to show up to the restaurant looking like a Yeti. I may not have a boyfriend but I wasn't going to go outside looking like a cave person.Humming under my breath as I came out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me, I didn't notice Hannah sitting there until she cleared her throat. Cursing I jumped, clenching the towel tighter around me."Fuckdon't do that!" I hissed, my
Hannah and Ryan had agreed to meet at a new Italian restaurant just on the outskirts of our city Everett, Massachusetts. From what Hannah has told me Ryan lives closer to Boston so it was the perfect place to meet.Seeing that Han and Ryan haven't seen each other in a month I took the liberty of driving my car so I could at least get home afterwards. I had no plans of her coming back with me tonight. Not that I blamed her always.The closer we got to the restaurant the more nervous Hannah became. She jiggled her foot constantly and tapped her fingers against her thigh, making the bracelets on her wrists jingle. It slowly grated on my nerves but I ignored it seeing how worked up she was getting.It was still shocking seeing this side of Hannah. She's never one to be nervous when meeting someone. She's always been the life of the party, making friends with everyone and anyone at clubs or parties. Can't tell you how many times we've suddenly become friends with peo
Flashback...."Everyone I need your design ideas by the end of the week! As soon as you get me them the sooner I can approve and you can start. Remember you will have a little over 6 months to complete your final project. It is worth 70% of your grade."The class murmured at the new information. 70% was insane and just added to the pressure of making the best designs ever. I gazed around the room at all the talented designers the class had, anxiety washing over me. I was nowhere near as good as half the people here."You can either had them in or send me them over email. You have until Friday." The professor dismissed us. Great I now only have 4 days to come up with an idea and send it in. No pressure."What was I thinking taking this class." One of my friends, Elisa, in the class muttered. I whole heartedly agreed with her. As much as I hated to hate on this class it was one of my favorites. I loved designing and this was the perfect pla
Flashback continued....The two of us were quiet for a moment as he softly wiped the blood on my knees away with a cloth. The silence was a bit stifling and I didn't do well with pure silence."Looks like someone isn't going to make quarterback any time soon." I tried to joke again. He chuckled again, the sound filling my ears and making my chest tighten. How can someone have a sexy laugh? Cause he sure did."I'm actually the quarterback." He looked back up at me with the corner of his lip tilted in a small smirk.It took a second before it finally struck me.Holy shit balls.How did I not notice before! He was Harold James, star quarterback for our football team. He was a big shot on campus for leading our team to multiple championships and most likely going to the NFL at the end of the school year."Oh god. I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you!" I stammered out. I just told the star quarterback he needed to wo
Present..."Harold?" Standing in front of me was the last person I thought I'd ever see. Out of all the people on the planet Ryan's friend was none other than Harold James, aka my ex-boyfriend."Bella." He seemed just as shocked to see me."You two know each other?" Ryan asked, looking between the two of us. I had no clue what to say so I just nodded.As the two of us stood there frozen my eyes moved on their own, taking him in. The last five years has really done him well. Harold's always been in great shape with football, literally had the body every guy wish they had and girls wanted in a guy. Now he seemed to fill out a bit more.His shoulders seemed wider and his waist trimmer, a lot less bulky than in college. The dark grey dress shirt he had on hugged his upper body nicely, showing off his biceps. The sleeves were rolled up to this elbows. My eyes widened as I noticed the tattoos running up both his arms. Damn, those were ne
Harold....She looked different. Good different but different none the less. Seeing Bella sitting across from me made me feel like I fallen into another universe. I had absolutely no clue she was going to be my double date tonight. When Ryan said his girlfriend was bringing her friend he never once mentioned her name or anything about her.I wasn't prepared to turn around and see her standing there. Standing there in what had to be one of the sexiest dresses I've ever seen in my life. I could do nothing but stand there and take her in. Everything from the way her bright red hair stood out against the white dress, to the way the said dress hugged her curves.Bella looked different than when I last saw her five years ago. The obvious was that her hair was longer but it was still that same bright red that caught my attention five years ago. The same red hair I imagined in my sleep.She also seemed to have grown into her body more. I wasn't e
Harold....She looked different. Good different but different none the less. Seeing Bella sitting across from me made me feel like I fallen into another universe. I had absolutely no clue she was going to be my double date tonight. When Ryan said his girlfriend was bringing her friend he never once mentioned her name or anything about her.I wasn't prepared to turn around and see her standing there. Standing there in what had to be one of the sexiest dresses I've ever seen in my life. I could do nothing but stand there and take her in. Everything from the way her bright red hair stood out against the white dress, to the way the said dress hugged her curves.Bella looked different than when I last saw her five years ago. The obvious was that her hair was longer but it was still that same bright red that caught my attention five years ago. The same red hair I imagined in my sleep.She also seemed to have grown into her body more. I wasn't e
After our small conversation we lapsed back into silence. I picked at my meal and across from me Harold did the same, deep in thought. Besides us Ryan and Hannah were in their own little world. Harold and I's drama long forgotten as the pair chatted feverishly with one another.Hannah had moved to sit closer. Their hands intertwined on the table, the food long forgotten between them. I watched jealously. They both were so into each other and I was right in easing Hannah's nerves about Ryan not liking her. By the way he was gazing at her the man was in love. She didn't know it but she already had him wrapped around her finger."They may a cute couple." Harold said, making me jump slightly. I hadn't realized how full on staring I was doing."They do." I murmured. While I was slightly jealous I was happy for my best friend. She deserved it."I promise you he is a good guy. Probably one the best guys I've ever met." Harold looked at the couple before looking