Necessity

Chapter Seven

I pulled up to Applebee's to have dinner with Jacob. It was a bit informal but he and I both had to work late tonight and Applebee's is the only restaurant around here with decent food that stayed open after 9:30pm. I didn't mind though because I loved Applebee's and I didn't want to have to cancel on him. Ever since I had gotten his number at the grocery store, Jacob and I had been texting nonstop. It was crazy and completely unanticipated. At first I was irritated at how much he was talking to me but after a while, I realized he was really funny...and sweet. Wait, what was I doing? I needed to get my head right. Just friends and nothing else. I got out of the car in my skinny jeans and yellow long sleeved crop top. I wore heels to work but always kept a pair of my favorite black Converses in the car because 1. Driving in heels is uncomfortable as hell and 2. If I needed to make any stops on the way home, I did not want to be in heels. This was one of those stops. The only items I brought with me were my phone, keys, and wallet. I saw Jacob standing in front of Applebee's like he told me he would be. His eyes landed on me and his face instantly lit up. I couldn't help but smile too.

"Hey, beautiful" he said before pulling me into an embrace.

He smelled so good. Like cocoa butter.

"Hey, how are you?"

"Much better now. You?" he asked leading us toward the entrance.

"I'm great. Just ready to rest my feet. I've been on 'em all day"

"We'd better get inside then" he said holding the door open for me.

"Thank you" I said stepping through.

We were greeted by the a hostess. Applebee's looked pretty empty tonight so I was hoping that they would have a booth.

"Hi! Welcome to Applebee's" the hostess said. "Two?"

"Yes, ma'am" Jacob answered.

"Alright, follow me please" she said before grabbing two menus and leading us to a booth.

Jacob and I sat across from each other.

"Your server's name is Blake and he will be with you in a few moments" she said handing us each a menu. "Enjoy!"

She walked away and I looked across at Jacob to see him already examining the menu. I, on the other hand, already knew what I wanted. Applebee's is one of my favorite restaurants that I used to frequent back when I lived in New York. Jacob looked up at me curiously.

"You aren't hungry?" he asked.

"I am. It's just that I already know what I want"

"Oh, this must be your spot, huh?" he asked.

"Yes, sir" I said with a smile. "I love Applebee's. Is this your first time?"

"Nah, I've been a few times but not enough to know the whole menu by heart like you"

For me, that was a compliment.

"And even if I did, I wouldn't get the same thing every time" he added.

"Who says I get the same thing every time?"

"I just know you do. Because if I point to this right here" he said flipping the menu around to me and pointing at a meal at the bottom. "You wouldn't be able to tell me how it is"

"The bourbon street chicken and shrimp? I don't like mushrooms"

"You ever had em?"

"No but the idea of eating fungus just doesn't seem appealing to me...or anyone else I would hope"

"I highly doubt so many restaurants would serve mushrooms if it was unsanitary, Bahja" Jacob chuckled. "They don't just pull them out of the ground and toss it on your plate"