𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐞

0.2 | lunch date

I look to my right.

The Walmart guy. What a fucking disappointment.

"It's nice to see you again," He laughs, "Weird to see you here, but I suppose all of us need our fix of gay men don't we?"

I didn't know what to say, so I force myself to laugh, "I just needed a drink."

He puts his elbow on the table, resting his cheek on it before he turns his body to me, "Why's that? Rough day?"

I shake my head, "Nahh, just stressed."

"So... stressful day then?"

"Sure," I laugh, "I guess that's a better word for it."

He smiles. He had a nice smile, with slightly gapped teeth and a bright, white surface. He was too attractive to be gay too.

I didn't want to ask, and as curious as I was to know his sexuality, I kept quiet.

The bartender slides both him and I a shot glass then we look at each other as we take it into our hands.

"On 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5."

We both down the drink, laughing and coughing as we swallow it. He counted slowly too, building my anticipation as he made it to five.

He could've counted to three but whatever, maybe he wanted to get me excited.

We go through 4 more rounds of that.

"What's your name by the way?" He asks.

"Emma," I smile.

"Emma," He repeats, "That's funny. My ex's name was that actually."

"Oh," I laugh, "Well was she nice at least?"

He shakes his head, downing the rest of a real drink this time, "No. She was a bitch."

I stare at him, and he starts laughing, causing me to laugh too, "I'm joking with you! You get so serious sometimes."

I laugh, "So no Emma?"

"No Emma. It was Tiffany. A worse name."

I couldn't lie, I was sort of jealous of her. Jealous that she got to be with him, even if they had broken up.

"Do you by chance have to work tomorrow?"

He shakes his head, "Nope."

"Would you like to get lunch with me?"

He smiles, "I'd love to."

-

It was officially day one of having a tiny crush on this may-or-may-not-be-gay man.

Nina had already left the house this morning so I didn't have to endure any questions about where I was going.

For lunch, since it was starting to get colder outside, I wore a grey knitted sweater, and blue jeans with a silver heart necklace and small pearl earrings.

I was meeting him at 11, and since we exchanged numbers last night, I texted him this morning, asking where he'd like to go. We agreed on a small Indian place, his choice.

I've only had Indian food once, but from what I had, I liked it a lot.

He sent me the address and I put it into my maps. It was only 10 minutes away, which probably meant he lived close to me too.

When I arrived, I went in to see him seeing at a booth on his phone. He was wearing a large jean jacket with a grey hoodie underneath and a black beanie.

He looks up and immediately smiles. I slide into the other side of the booth, throwing my purse next to me.

"Sorry I'm late," I laugh quietly.

"You're just on time," He says, "I like to be a little early anyways."

I nod, "So! I've only had Indian food once. What do you recommend."

He grabs the menu, opening it up the. turning his body sideways so we could both see the menu. He points at all his favorites explaining what they are and what they taste like.

"Oh look at this. Turn to the last page."

He does.

"Look at the pig. It shows all the meat cuts."

He looks down at the menu, staring, "The best part is the neck."

I hum, "I think I've only had bacon and ham."

"I think I've had pretty much everything on here besides the feet and ears. Those are pretty much useless so I just feed those to my dogs."

"Dogs!? What kind of dogs?"

"I have one Pitbull named Naiad and a Dogo Argentino named Thalassa. Then I have Pistachio, my cat, but she doesn't eat that gross shit."

"Pretty names," I say, smiling, "What do they mean?"

"They are the first and second moons of Neptune."

"Oh?" That was a shock, "Why Neptune?"

He hums, placing his chin on the back side of his hand, "I guess I just like Neptune a lot."

-

"Of course! Thank you for coming. I had a good time with you."

He smiles, backing up then leaning on his car, "So when's the next date?"

I laugh nervously, "Um. Whenever you want. I'm free all the time."

"Great. That's a relief. What about... tomorrow night after my shift?"

"That works for me."

"Great. I'll call you okay?" He says, pointing to me with his eyebrows raised.

I dip my head, smiling, "Okay."

"Good. Cya then."

"Bye."