A Tangled Web We Weave (Completed)

5. Check Please

Andy

I wiped the lipstick off my teeth and fluffed my hair. I hadn't dressed up for a months. Hadn't had a reason to for a while. Creeping down the stairs and past my father's room where I could hear him snore, I tiptoed, careful to not let the stilettos touch the hardwoods. Any sound and he'd be up, hungover and angry. I slipped out the garage door and drove to the restaurant.

Seated, I moved my fork over a little for the second time in a minute, glancing towards the door. Chase was late. Again. Earlier when I had told him I was taking us out to a nice dinner to talk about where we were at as a couple, he seemed excited and kissed me like he used to. Listen to me, I sound like I'm trying to hold together a crumbling marriage. 

The waitress come over for the third time, her tight smile condescending. "Are you ready to order now, honey?"

I shook my head, trying to summon a smile. "No, he should be here in a few minutes."

As she nodded and walked away, I felt my stomach sink. I needed to break up with him. He's never there when I need him, he hasn't treated me as well as he should, and the text messages from friends telling me they've seen him with another girl have been increasing in number.

The people at the tables around me kept pausing in their conversation to give me an apologetic look like they can just tell I'm waiting for a crappy excuse and maybe flowers.

Just as I decided to cut my losses and leave, this guy I've never seen pulls out the chair across from me and sits down, explaining loudly, "Sorry I'm so late, babe, my boss wanted an impromptu meeting and traffic is crazy right now." He leaned forward a little bit, adding quietly, "I'm Cal, just go with it, ok?" He cleared his throat a little and then continued softer, "Whoever didn't show up is an idiot, dollface."

I blushed furiously and looked down at my hands. "It's A-Andrea." Damn that stammer. Damn that stammer so bad.

He smirked. "I know. And I like dollface better."

"How do you k-k-know my name?"

"This isn't the first time we've met." He sat back in his chair, his eyes never leaving my face. He did look a little familiar, but the face wasn't quite right. Like someone had edited a face I knew really well, but it was still recognizable.

I blinked, trying to search through my memory. "I can't remember. Sorry."

"8th grade biology?"

"Ummm, y-yeah, noth-thing."

He shrugged. "I'm not that memorable, I guess."

I blushed again. "No, it's not that. I'm just t-terrible at remembering anything."

"Well, if it helps, I'll never forget you."

I cocked an eyebrow. "That r-really pathetic girl stood up in the restaurant? I'd be h-hurt if you did."

He chuckled. "I would be too."

I shifted in my seat. "Th-this isn't the first time I've been stood up."

He smiled, leaning forward onto the table. "But it will be the last."

I flushed and shoved a roll into my mouth to keep it from hanging open.

Dinner progressed to dessert and I felt myself wishing it would never end. This was the best non-planned date I had ever been on. Was it like this with Chase at first? I was a little guilty to be having dinner with another guy but Cal was sweet and funny and he saved me, so I went along with it. Not to mention, he's drop dead gorgeous. Like social media model, not-FaceTuned-but-looks-like-it, that guy all the girls fawn over hot.

"Did we actually have 8th grade biology together?" I asked suspiciously.

"No."

The waitress came by with the check, staring at Cal with almost an open mouth and who could blame her? His silky brown hair stuck up a little in the front but was styled to artfully look wind-tossed and his dark amber eyes bored into mi-

I looked down quickly, realizing I had been staring just as much as the waitress who had already left. He signed the check and I sent one text to Chase, who I had pretty much forgotten about. We're done. Pick up your stuff tomorrow and drop off mine.

Chase responded almost immediately. Fine with me. I guess I won't be seeing you then.

I can't say I was surprised at his quick response, but it hurt. More than I thought it would.

Cal winked at me as we stood to leave and I blushed again. Who was this guy? Who just shows up to save some random girl?

He reached for my hand as we walked to my car and, after flinching away from him, I let him.

"So," he said, leaning against my car as I searched for my keys. "Does this mean I get to take you out again?"

Suddenly, the ridiculousness of the situation hit me. I didn't know this guy at all and I was in a dark parking lot with him and he was a lot bigger than I was and stronger and he just sat down at my table and I had dinner with a complete stranger. "Um, how-how about I just give you my n-number?" I stammered, flushing and shivering a little.

He smirked. "Can I get them digits, gurl?"

I giggled and held out my hand for his phone, typing it quickly and hopping in my car. "Bye, handsome." I said, proud of not stuttering at all.

"Bye, dollface."