As it Was / A Joseph Quinn story.

4.

I tried not to freak out for the rest of the afternoon. I served our clients, tried to be as smiley as I could, and when I looked the clock it was already 7.30pm. In half an hour I would have had the first date with Joe. And I was pretty sweaty. I wanted to have a shower, at least change my outfit. Not really the best impression on someone, going out smelling.

At 8pm Hunter, who listened to the whole "bet" thing, told me to go "home", giggling under his mustaches. I pet the cats for one last time and then walked out. Joe was waiting for me with his back lying on the wall, looking out for something on his phone.

When he saw me, he smiled. He always had a real smile on his face; he looked so nice it was almost disturbing. He was wearing simple jeans and a black t-shirt.

"Are you hungry?" I was, so I nodded "What if we head downtown and choose somewhere to eat? Any preference?"

"Somewhere with vegetarian options?"

"Perfect. I have the right place. Let's go" I followed him. For the whole way we talked about music, his tastes and mine, when he started playing guitar and such. He was super excited about the Muse concert he would have attented next month at Wembley Stadium. I told him about my passion about books, movies and tv series. I confessed my love for anime. It was like I could tell him everything and didn't get judged. He was so open minded.

We arrived in front of this fancy restaurant "Sagar Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurant" in Covent Garden. Covent Garden was one of my favorite spots in London.

We got in and fortunately they had a table for two even without reservation. I felt a bit intimidated by the whole serious date thing. I haven't been on a date from years now. I was 27 years old and in the last 5 years I was sure I didn't have a proper relationship. Just, you know, one night stands and brief affairs. But Joe was so chill and nice that it didn't even seem a real date. We looked like two friends hanging out, laughing and telling each other stuff about random things. I felt... good.

He insisted to pay, even if I begged him not to do so.

"Next date is on me" I said.

"You're thinking about the second date already?"

"Why not? You said five, right?" He nodded "Five in one month. Are you free next saturday?"

"I can ask for a night off"

"The new Ian McEwan book is coming out next week and he is having this presentation at Waterstones near Piccadilly Circus. He's one of my favorite writers..." I explained

"Atonement is an amazing book, isn't it?"

He knows what I am talking about?

"Ye...Yes" I was so astonished that I even mumbled a little. The guy was a musician and a reader.
It totally was a point in his favor.

"I'll text you if Donald gives me the day off. I'm not sure, but it's worth a try"

After dinner, we decided to hit the road and wander around London without a proper destination. He wanted to walk me home but he apparently lived somewhere near the Greenwhich borough in London, a bit far from Haringey, where I stayed. Our walk brought us in front of St. Dunstan in the East and its gardens. We sat on a bench, admiring that place where nature and history merged together, in silence. It was dark and pretty late, but I didn't care. I felt safe.

"I love this city" he said at some point "I was born and raised here and there's nowhere else I imagine myself living in"

"I agree" he looked at me "I was born out of London, but as soon as I could, I found a job and...here I am" then I realized that I didn't even knew the basics about him "hey, how old are you, again?" He laughed

"I never told you. I'm 29. What about you?"

"27" he nodded "We have to know each other, right? So why don't we start from the basics?"

"Good idea" we started talking about the schools we went to, our families, our dreams. When he was his turn to ask about my family I started to feel a little uncomfortable, thing he noticed.

"It's ok, if you don't want to talk about it. We still have four dates to go"

"Sooner or later, you'll find out so..." I sighed and waited for a few seconds before let it all out "my dad cheated on my mom, I lost count on how many times she found out he was having an affair. Growing up, I kept on seeing her hurting and it was just too much to handle. She forgave him over and over, hoping something would change but... some people never do, don't they? He left her for a younger woman and now he lives in Ireland and he never calls. But it's ok, I can live without him. I did it for my whole life, you know"

"I'm sorry" he said right after. His voice was low and he was looking at me with a different look in his brown eyes. "I see why you don't want to get involved, I mean, it's totally legit"

"I don't wanna end up like my mom"

"You won't. I promise"

For one single second, I believed him. At least, that's what I wanted. To believe he was real, and that he really cared about me. We stayed in silence for a few more minutes, then I looked at my phone and saw it was past 1am.

"I think it's time to go home"

"Do you want me to call an Uber?"

"As long as you walk me to the nearest tube station, I should be fine"

"Of course, ma'am"

We said goodbye in front of the tube station. On my way home I kept on thinking about him. Over and over. About his smile, that damn smile. About his brown eyes, his messy hair, his growing beard and his hands. And then, how nice he was. How caring. He looked so perfect. But was he for real?

At home, I finally had a shower and then went to bed. Fortunately my next shift at work started the day after, at 3pm, so I turn off the alarm clock and the lights. I stared at the ceiling for too long before deciding to grab my phone. There was a text.

"Home safe? J."

Stay calm. He's a gentleman and he cares about a girl going home late alone in a big city like London.

I texted back.

"Yeah. I'm in bed but can't sleep. Are you home?" His answer didn't take long to come.

"Yup. Same here. Just thinking about tonight. I had fun."

What does he expect me to answer right now?

"Truth or lie?"

"Truth, of course - I'm quoting you" I smiled

"I had a good time. Thank you" was he smiling like I did? "Do you have work in the morning?"

"Nope, starting at 4pm til God knows when"

"Hope that guy Sam won't give someone else a hard time"

"He won't. Donald basically banished him from the pub LOL"

"Glad to hear"

He didn't text back after my last message, so I guess he just felt asleep with his phone in his hands. I turn off mine and finally got asleep, with a giant smile on my face.

~

Hello!!
Hope you like this :)

Danielle