romance at the bookstore

Chapter 10

6:48.

I nervously waited outside Leila's apartment. I adjusted my suit jacket a threw my phone in my pocket.

6:50.

I stood in front of her door with my hand up, about to knock but I just couldn't do it.

6:53.

I continued pacing back and forth. I shook my arms and legs out, hit myself in the face then got back up to her door.

6:55.

I was ready. I was going to do it. I was happening.

I stood with my hand up about to knock when the door opened. Leila stood there in a simple tight, black dress that looked so so good.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, surprised, "I was just coming to get you!"

"Yeah, well," I paused, "I mean, you look amazing."

"Thanks," she blushed.

"Ready to go?" I snapped myself back into reality and remembered my game plan.

"Yeah one sec, I just forgot to grab a jacket."

She ran back into her room and the door closed behind her.

"Cool, calm, collected. Cool, calm, collected. Cool, calm, collected," I mumbled to myself.

All of the sudden the door opened again and I jumped a little.

"Were you saying something?" she asked with a smile.

"Nope!"

"Okay then," she laughed.

"Let's go!" I exclaimed.

We walked together down the stairs then hopped in a cab. The cab ride was 10 minutes long but I was finally able to keep my calm and have a normal conversation. We talked and laughed and for the first time, I felt like I could really do this.

When we got out of the cab, we were standing in front of a large office building, towering over us.

"So... You're taking me to a job interview?" she asked.

I laughed and shook my head, "no... not quite."

I led her into the building then into the elevator. I tapped the button for the top floor and I noticed her face light up with excitement. She looked at me with a grin and we waited as the elevator made its ascent.

On the top floor were two glass doors leading to a rooftop restaurant inside a glass cube. It was filled with men wearing handmade designer suits and women wearing diamond necklaces that cost more than our tuition.

Leila's eyes grew out of her skull and I couldn't help but laugh.

She turned towards me: "There's NO way the bookstore lets you pay for this place. I appreciate the effort Alex but this... This is too much."

I shook my head then grabbed her hand: "You haven't seen anything yet."

I held her hand and let her through the tables filled with people. We could smell their decadent food and I couldn't help but get more and more excited about the night. She looked around in awe at the people, the food and the entire secret restaurant. When we had passed through the crowd of people staring at what we were doing at such a refined restaurant, we entered the kitchen.

"Um Alex, I don't think we're allowed in here," she questioned but I didn't answer.

The kitchen was filled with over ten chefs all cooking something different at an incredible speed. They were running around, cooking, grilling and plating and aromas filled the air.

At the same time, Leila and I both looked over in the direction of the head chef. He had a fire going in his well.

"Alex! You made it!" the chef yelled through the chaos.

"James! Still causing fires I see." I shout back.

"It's all set up. I'll bring the food out later," he explained then pointed to the back door.

I grabbed Leila's hand again and we walked over to the back. Through the door was an outdoor balcony, lit up by hanging lightbulbs and one single table for two in the middle. It looked over the city which was also illuminated bright and I sighed of relief knowing that everything was perfect.

"What the fuck Alex?" Leila laughed of disbelief, "how did we go from the most awkward date ever to quite possibly the most expensive restaurant in New York that also happens to be on the roof of a fucking skyscraper?"

"Well... James, the chef, is a long time buddy of mine and happens to be the owner of this restaurant. I have connections you know!" I declared.

"Well, it's absolutely amazing."

We walked over to the little table and I pulled out her chair, "madame."

She giggled, "why thank you!"

We both sat down and James brought out the first course.

It was Japanese Gyoza that was absolutely amazing. Since I'm not a chef, I'm used to just making myself a grilled cheese or cereal for dinner.

"Oh my god! This is amazing!" Leila raved.

"I know. James is an amazing chef. Has been since we were little."

"So tell me about your childhood. Did you live in a big house next to the country club and hang out with your private school friends?" she laughed.

"Something like that..."

I told her the story of my childhood. It starts off pretty sweet but when I was 15, my parents had a messy divorce and it had a pretty big effect on me.

It was nice to be able to talk to someone and for them to listen with no judgement.

Three courses later, we had covered everything from childhood best friends to the first-year of uni and we realized that we weren't as different as we thought.

We had both grown up in dysfunctional families that made it hard on us. We were now finally here to support ourselves and make a difference in this world. 

"This was so nice. Thanks for not giving up," she blushed, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Of course. Thanks for giving me a chance."

And then it was that moment. That moment where you're just looking into each other's eyes and everything is falling into place. We both leaned in and...

"Anyone ready for some dessert!" James kicked open the back door, carrying some cake.

Leila and I both looked at each other and she gave me a shy smile.

"Oh... I am interrupting something?" James asked, about to turn around.

"Don't worry about it. So what do we have here..." I licked my lips at the sight of the gooey cake.

After dessert, Leila and I both stood up, and I helped her put on her jacket. The wind was getting stronger and we were standing on the top of a tall building.

We went back down the elevator and into a taxi to head back. We had a slow walk up the stairs from all the food and not wanting this perfect night to end. My mind was racing with how crazy this night had been. We had a connection. SOmething real. And I couldn't wait to see where we'd go next.

When we got to her apartment, she unlocked the door and we stood face to face.

"Thanks again for tonight," she restated.

As we talked, the space between us diminished until our noses were almost touching. I could feel her breath on mine and her eyes sparkled when she looked up at me.

"Want to come in?" she offered with a shy smile.

This time, she grabbed my hand and led me into her room, shutting the door behind us.