38 Books

Chapter 3

Nick 03/08/22
He said yes. I am surprised to say the least. He actually agreed to have dinner with me. I thought he would decline because we just met. But he didn't, and I like that.

I was convinced that he would decline and say that I am weird for suggesting such a thing, when we don't even know each other. I'm happy that he said yes, because now I don't have to spend my birthday alone. I get to have company.

As I was making small talk with the shorter male beside me, he was taking me to his favorite restaurant. He was telling me how good the food there was and how I would really enjoy the experience. I was happy that I bumped into a nice person and not some grumpy old grandpa that would just start yelling at me.

It was about a 6 minute walk from where we originally were. "We're here" Sasha said while looking at a small cozy looking restaurant in between other stores.

"Good evening" we both said in sync while walking in to the small restaurant. While we were waiting for the hostess to seat us at a table a man came up to us. "Hey Sasha, long time no see. How have you been?" the man asked him as they hugged each other. It seemed like they knew each other. "Hey. Not bad you know it's been worse. What about you?" Sasha asked the other male. I feel like I am interrupting something, and I also don't want to eavesdrop on their conversation so I just stepped aside for a bit, until they were done talking.

"Oh I almost forgot this is Nick, my new friend. We came here to celebrate his birthday. And Nick this is Lou, my best friend. He works here as a waiter." He introduced us as we shook our hands. "Nice to meet you Lou. You're very lucky to have such a nice friend." I told him as I smiled at Sasha. "Nice to meet you too. And yeah he is amazing."

As we finished talking Lou sat us at our table and we ordered our drinks first. When he left we started to talk and get to know each other. "So what do you do in your free time Nick?" We made eye contact as he asked me. He is just so handsome and cute. Wait I am getting side tracked here, I barley know him.

"I have my own art gallery that I work at. It's new here in Paris, you may have heard of it. It's called Admire Arts." As i answer his question he starts thinking. "Yeah I'm pretty sure I have heard of it. It's the one down by the town centre right? I wanted to go check it out today but I kind of met you so I didn't get the chance to." as he explained I smiled at him and had an idea. "Well we can always go there together after dinner if you would like. I mean it is my art gallery so I can go there whenever I want." I make him an offer as his face lit up with joy.

"Wait really? That would be awesome. I mean if it's not too much trouble than yes I would like that." Sasha looks at me with a look i can't describe. He looks so mesmerizing, as his eyes twinkle with joy at the offer I presented to him a moment ago. And I notice that he's blushing. He has a smile on his face too. I guess he really likes art.

"Of course that would be fine. I mean I wouldn't have made the offer if I wasn't serious. We can go after we're done with dinner." Right as I finish my sentence Lou comes back with our drinks. And he looks like he's mad at something, but I can't tell what he's mad at. Until he looks me in the eyes with a harsh glare, I realized it was because of me.

But I don't understand why he was mad at me. Was it because I was with Sasha? Does he like him? I don't know But I ignored it as he took our orders.

"So Sasha what do you like to do in your free time?" I asked as he focused for a second, thinking about what to tell me. "I like to paint and draw, and I go to art school here in Paris. But I think you noticed that because of the paintings I dropped earlier." I thought about them and how amazing they were. " Yeah I did, and they were really good, you have a lot of talent. I would even put them in my art gallery if I could." Sasha blushed at the comment, and he smiled while thanking me.

"Oh, Sasha how old are you? Just so I know your age." I asked the male in front of me. "I'm 18 what about you?" he asked back. " I'm officially 20 today" I answered him as he looked at me surprised. "Wow, you're only 20? I thought you were at least 22 because you're so successful." he looked at me interested. " Well I guess I was just lucky. I opened my gallery when I was 18 and a lot of people liked it. And I really dont understand how an art gallery can expand but it kind of just happened I guess."

"Well I guess I really do have to take you up on this offer because I am interested to see what kind of art your gallery has." he said with a smirk on his face. Almost like he was teasing me. " I guess you do." I told him as our food came. Lou set it down with an upset look on his face, and Sasha asked him if something happened. But he just said that everything was fine.

Ok, yeah, he definitely likes Sasha and doesn't like the fact that I am having dinner with him. But we just met so I don't know why he was jealous. He has nothing to be jealous of, we're just friends. For now. You never know what could happen in the future.

After Lou left I tried my food I ordered, and I absolutely love it. "Wow Sasha you really weren't kidding about the food here, it's delicious!" I say as Sasha laughs. "See I told you it was great. You should be happy we ran into each other. Because if we hadn't, you wouldn't have had such a good birthday dinner" he tells me while I nod in agreement. "You are right. I am very happy that we ran into each other today."

When we got done with our food, Sasha went to go pay the bill as I followed him. And after he paid, he went to go find his friend Lou. When he found him he told him we were going to my art gallery. But Lou looked at him with a concerned look on his face.

"Sasha I don't think that's a good idea. I mean you don't even know him, you guys just met and you're going to his gallery alone at night. Aren't you scared that he may be a creep?" I heard him say as I looked at him with a puzzled look. Seriously. Do I look like a creep? I'm just a normal  20 year old man in a suit taking his new friend to his gallery so he could have a personal tour.

"Lou it's fine, he's not a creep. He's really nice and he just wants to give me a special tour. Don't worry I will be fine." Sasha told him as Lou looked mad again. "Fine ok have fun." Seriously what is his problem. I did nothing to him why is he being so harsh.

"Sorry about that, he is just a little overprotective sometimes. But we can go now, I can't wait!" he tells me as we leave the restaurant and start walking to my gallery. I see Lou giving me a death stare through the window. If only looks could kill, I would be 6 feet under the ground right now.