One Number.

Chap. 4

After a quick 5 minute drive, I found a parking spot and entered the restaurant. This place was fancy as hell. 

I looked at the hostess, saying simply, "Clay, party of 2?". She nodded, checking the tablet in her hands. Once she confirmed it was a legit reservation, she led me to a quiet table in the back of the restaurant. 

I was slightly surprised to see that Clay wasn't already here. But, it is just 6:03. I got here a bit early. 

A waitress came over and asked what I wanted to drink. I asked for a glass of merlot. 

A few minutes passed and no sign of Clay. I kept reminding myself that I had come early, and that he probably just got caught up in the Thanksgiving day traffic. 

The waitress came and went, asking for my order or refilling my glass. Each time I told her I was waiting for someone.

 I checked my phone for any calls or texts from him, and glanced at the time. 6:37.

Fuck this. 

I saw the waitress and signaled her over, asking for my bill. She swiftly brought it to me, and I paid for the overly expensive wine. 

I grabbed my things from the table and stormed out of the restaurant, feeling extremely angry. 

I knew I shouldn't be driving after the glasses of wine I had, so I attempted to call for an Uber on my phone. I was slightly tipsy, my fingers sloppy on my phone. I checked the time again. 6:48. 

I huffed and turned to go to my car. I might as well call for the Uber there since it was cold as hell out. 

I stormed past groups of people, shoving my way to the parking lot. I was about to reach my car when I heard someone call out, "Vivian!".

I stopped in my tracks before slowly turning to face him, obviously pissed off and tipsy. 

I watched as Clay jogged up to me. I would have told him that he looked very handsome in his suit if I wasn't so mad. 

He took a second to catch his breath before saying, "Oh God, I am so, so sorry." He looked me in my eyes, his own pleading for forgiveness. "My family surprised me by coming over, and I couldn't get away from them until now." He finished, running a hand through his hair. 

I let out a bitter laugh before saying, "You could have texted. Or called. Just so I knew I shouldn't have wasted my time on coming here." I wrapped my coat around myself tighter, fighting off the cold. 

He let out a deep sigh, running a palm down his face. "I know. I'm so, so sorry. I really should have, but I just got so busy. This is a shitty first impression, isn't it?" He said. 

I let out another laugh. "It definitely is." 

He thought for a second before looking me in the eyes. "Let me make it up to you. Right now." I watched as his eyes sparkled like little gemstones under the parking lot lights. 

"How?" I furrowed my eyebrows, confused as to what he meant. 

"Let me take you somewhere else. It will be a hundred percent better than this." He gestured to the restaurant behind us. "I promise." He finished, his face pleading. 

I looked away from those entrancing eyes, instead focusing on the ground below me. "I don't know, Clay. I've already had a few glasses of wine and I'm upset." I toyed with the sequins on my purse. 

"I know. But I promise you, it will be better than going into this restaurant. Quieter." He said, slowly reaching for the hand that was playing with my purse. 

I met his eyes as he held my hand in his, seeing the genuineness in them. 

I sighed, and let out a quiet "Okay.". I watched as his eyes lit up, and his other hand also came to hold mine. 

"Follow me." And so I did.