This Could Be Us

Chapter Six - D-Day

{Zach's Point of View}

"I'm so hungry!" Kate whined.

"They said our table will be ready in a few minutes. Just be patient." I sighed.

Ever since I picked Kate up, she had been whining about one thing or another. I was reaching my limit of tolerance, but knew how important this date was for our relationship.

After a couple more minutes of listening to Kate moan and groan, the hostess finally showed us to our table. We walked through the most public area consisting of mostly tables, through the hallway with private booths, and finally back to the patio that they reserved for couples.

The patio was dimly lit with candles on the table and in the back corner was a violinist. The room was completely empty and it was the perfect setting.

"Oh this is way more romantic than our first date!" Kate cried. 

"I'm glad you like it. It's only part one of date day too!" I smiled as I watched her eyes twinkle with pure joy.

The waiter came by a few moments later to take our drink orders and give us our menus. Being a picky eater, I scanned the menu looking for something of the spaghetti variety. Kate spent a little longer picking out her meal, and finally decided on the chicken and shrimp carbonara just as the waiter was approaching our table.

As our waiter was leaving the table, the hostess was bringing back another couple and seated them at the table adjacent ours. I caught myself staring at the girl who was wearing a beautiful red dress and heels. Her dark curly brown hair flowed perfectly down past her shoulders. I watched as she sat down and when she looked up to thank the hostess, my jaw dropped. It was Aria and she was wearing the birthstone necklace I gave her for her birthday. 

"Hey man! What a coincidence!" Carter said as he patted me on the back, breaking me from my gaze. "Great place, huh?"

I nodded, forced a grin, and then quickly looked away from their table.

Out of all the couples in the area, Carter and Aria picked this particular restaurant on this particular night. I couldn't believe it. I felt the jealousy rush through me within seconds, and I hoped Kate didn't catch me staring. I slowly glanced up at her to see if she noticed, but she was staring down at her phone.

I let out a sigh of relief.

"So tell me what the coach said to you after the game!" I said, initiating conversation.

Her eyes lit up and she quickly shoved her phone away in her purse.

"Oh my gosh. She absolutely loved me Zach!" She informed me. "Her name is Coach Lansing and she said I have great leadership skills. She was over the top impressed by our final routine!"

"That's so awesome babe! I'm happy for you!" I said.

"Have any scouts come to watch your games?" She asked.

"Actually a coach from the University of Minnesota came to scout some of us last night," I replied. "At least that's what Coach Brent said. The scout didn't stay to talk to anybody though."

"Aw! What if we both got recruited to attend the U of M?" She suggested. "We could take our power couple status to the college level!"

"I don't know," I said, hesitantly. "U of M is your dream. I would just be happy playing at a Division III school."

 Kate frowned. She has been trying to convince me that attending the same college or university would be beneficial for our relationship status. I, on the other hand, think that we should just live in the now. I don't like planning too far ahead, because a lot can happen between now and then.