the next morning at preschool when i dropped brooke off, i saw jess. i decided that i was gonna ask her out.
josh: uh hey jess
i scratch the back of my neck like i do when i'm nervous. kate always said i did it. no josh stop thinking about kate. just ask jess out.
jess: hey josh *smiles
josh: so um since we couldn't get coffe yesterday, i was thinking that we could um maybe go grab dinner tonight or something?
she smiles.
jess: that sounds great *laughs
josh: cool. can i get your number?
she tells me it and j type it in my phone.
josh: i'll text you when and where
jess: alright. see ya later
she smiles and so do i. i go out to my car and get in. yes! i got a fucking date! oh shit- i haven't been on a date in years. what do you do on a date? i went from being excited to really nervous. i quickly call blake. bryce jaden and anthony would just make fun of me for being nervous but blake will actually give me advice.
blake: what's up josh
josh: i have a date. what exactly do you do on a date?? i don't remember!
blake; woah woah woah slow down. just be yourself. ask her about herself and just get to know her.
•••
i ended up calling amelie after picking brooke up from preschool today to come over and make sure i look decent. jess and i texted and decided on meeting at some fancy restaurant at 6:45.
amelie: ok so definitely this white button down
josh: but what if i spill food on myself?
amelie: your right. your messy. ummm actually- just don't spill food on yourself. be careful. the white button down looks best.
then she picks out navy blue dress pants. i button the flannel and tuck it in before putting on a belt and brown dress shoes.
amelie: undo the top two buttons so you can see your chain a little.
josh: but isn't that like not dressy?
amelie; your 23. not like 30 or something. your allowed to still look like a teenager j.
i sigh and look in the mirror undoing the top two buttons.
amelie: and don't slick your hair back
she comes over ruffling it up with her hands.
amelie: there. perfect
before i know it, she took a damn picture of me.
josh: what was that for-
my phone buzzes and i check it. ugh. she sent it to a group chat with all our friends. now they're making fun of me. "joshy's finally got a date" and shit like that.
josh: fuck yourself
amelie: i've got blake. maybe you won't have to fuck your elf if this date goes well *smirks
i roll my eyes and flip her off.
amelie: it's 6:15. your should get going since it's a 20 minute drive. text me how it goes.
i thank her for helping me and go say bye to brooke. she ended up crying but i had to leave anyway. amelie will hopefully calm her.
•••
i go inside and get our reserved table. soon enough, jessica comes in and sits. holy shit she looks good.
jess: hey josh *smiles
josh: hey. you look beautiful
her cheeks heat up a bit. after we order, we begin to talk.
jess: i hope you don't mind me asking but uh- so your a young single parent like me. why
josh: well my girlfriend didn't even tell me she was pregnant. one day there was a baby on my steps and a letter that said she couldn't stay. *shrugs* what about you?
jess: my boyfriend and i weren't trying but when i got pregnant, he kinda just- left
josh; how long ago was that?
jess: couple years ago. had her when i was 18
josh: brooke was born when i had just turned 19.
we talked about that type of stuff a good bit of the time. brooke and stella are almost the exact same age. brooke is just a couple months older.
•••
we're standing in the parking lot.
jess: we should do this again some time *smiles
josh: ya we should. i don't get many more night out like this anymore *laughs
jess: ya me neither *laughs
we hug.
josh: well i guess i'll see ya later
jess: bye josh
i go get in my car and go home. brookes already sleeping, so i kiss her head and go to my bed to sleep.
•••••••••••••••••••••
