“Hey, Dora, what did this door ever do to you? Oh, hey, Drew,” he says, looking down the hall as I push past him. “Rude much?” Jeff shuts the door and I can feel him staring at me.
I fling the packages on my bed before storming over to the refrigerator. “Why do you always side with them?” Anger fills my voice.
“Hey, I was just being neighborly. You really need to get laid, and I think I found you someone. You’ve been hard to live with lately, so I set you up on a blind date tonight. Whether you like it or not.”
“You did? Without asking me first?”
“You tell me all the time to find someone for you, and I’ve done it. Don’t make me regret this.”
“You did? Oh, Jeff, I’m so sorry. I so love you!” He grins as I fling my arms around him and hug him tightly.
“Now go get ready. The little black number will do. In fact, if you let go of me, I’ll even get your clothes ready for you.”
I decide to take a bath, taking care to shave my legs, and then after a long soak, jump into the shower to rinse off. A date finally, one that Jeff approves of. What can go wrong? I mean, everything will be good. I feel it.
Jeff is missing from the room when I exit the bathroom, but my dress and shoes are laid out for me. I hear muffled voices coming from the door leading to the dining room of the loft. Creeping to the door, I turn the lock, as I don’t want any unwanted company finding me in a towel. I quickly dress, apply minimal makeup, slip into my three-inch heels, and wait for Jeff to knock on the door to be let back in. Minutes pass and the voices continue. Sighing, I grab my clutch, move to the door, and open it to see my three roomies and Jeff lounging on the three couches.
“Beautiful,” Jeff says with a shit-eating grin.
“Agreed,” Colin and Drew reply almost in unison. Liam just nods his head.
“Your date is coming up the elevator. Brad just buzzed.” Jeff grins and walks me to the door so I can’t see Colin’s reaction.
Jeff opens the door and the elevator dings at the same time. It opens and I see Ronald Caudwell, a math class buddy of ours, standing there with a bunch of flowers in his hand. He looks nervous, his smile a little wobbly when he sees Jeff and me. Jeff taps me on the shoulder and he magically has my coat in his hand. He helps me into it as Ron walks slowly toward us. I watch his eyes widen as he glances at my dress. He swallows hard. It takes a second for me to realize he’s never seen me in anything but sweats, jeans, T-shirts, and shorts.
“Hi, Dora. Hope you’re not disappointed,” he says quietly.
“Disappointed? Definitely not,” I reply with a wide smile.
I like Ron. His hair is a rich, chestnut brown, neither short nor long. He’s just a few inches taller than me, even with my heels on. He has two adorable dimples that appear in each cheek when he smiles. He has a good build and definitely cleans up nicely. He hands me the flowers and I wonder where he found such beautiful ones this time of year.
“You look amazing, Dora.” His voice interrupts my brain’s musings.
“I was just thinking the same about you, Ron.”
“Well, kids, you have fun. Don’t keep her out too late, Ron.” Jeff sounds like a stern father. I elbow him gently in the side as I take Ron’s hand and lead him to the elevator.
“Oh … Jeff, be a dear and put these in water for me, and don’t forget to put a penny in the bottom of the vase.” I walk back and hand them to a grinning Jeff. “Also, don’t wait up,” I say before returning to Ron, who’s holding the elevator door for me.
Ron’s nervous, but his silence is killing me. We’ve been in the car for ten minutes and he hasn’t said a word. Great.
“So where are we going?’ I ask, trying to sound casual.
“A restaurant Jeff told me you love.” He clears his throat. “I hope that’s okay.”
He keeps his eyes on the road, but he swallows hard, waiting for my answer. He’s different in class. In fact, he loves telling jokes and making people laugh, so why is he so uptight right now?
“Has to be Papa’s then, because that’s my favorite.”
“Yeah, that’s it. We should be there soon,” he replies woodenly.
Really? Like I don’t know.
I want to ask him if something’s wrong, but I don’t think he’ll tell me the truth. The warm bright lights of Papa’s penetrate my deep thought, and luckily, we snag a parking spot a few feet from the front door.
The place is packed, full of happy, laughing people. Papa is playing host. His eyes widen and he belts out, “Dora, my beautiful, redheaded angel. My worlda has just become brighter.” He holds out his arms and I move in for the hug. He smells of pizza sauce and Old Spice. “And who is this younga man?” he asks, staring hard at Ron, who looks like he wants to leave.
“Papa, this is my friend, Ron.”
As the words leave my lips, I realize they’re true. He is, and will stay, just a friend. There’s no chemistry. I feel a little depressed.
“Aww. He looksa like a nice young man. I havea your table ready for you.”
He leads us to the back, and Mama waves and blows a kiss to us from across the room. Several of the waiters say hello as we pass by. It’s a big table that Papa takes us to, and I wonder why there are so many seats. Before I can mention it, I hear a commotion behind us. I inwardly groan as I realize we’ll be joined by others. Not just any others, but my roomies and one of my so-called best friends, a grinning Jeff.
“Dora, what are you doing here?” Jeff asks, all innocent.
“Surprised? I think not. You told Ron this is my favorite place.”
“I mentioned it, but he never said he was going to bring you here. Hey, Papa, these two are on a date, and it wouldn’t be right to join them.”
“Ah, Jeffrey, we are fulla. No more tables.” Papa looks upset and I feel guilty.
“It’s okay, they can join us. Right, Ron?”
Ron nods his answer and everyone grabs a seat. At least the models look to be chagrined. Not Jeff though, he still has the smug grin on his face.
“We had no idea you were going to be here. Honest.” Colin’s English accent sends a warm sensation down my spine. I don’t look up from my menu. My tongue is a little too tied at the moment.
Jeff is sitting to my left, and I reach under the table and pinch his thigh as hard as I can, wondering what he’s up to.
“Oww.” He slightly jumps and then turns to me and glares.
“You deserve it,” I whisper, leaning over and blocking the others’ view with my menu.
“Wait until you get home. That’s going to leave a bruise,” he replies through clenched teeth.
“Okay, who’s ready to order?” Sal, a part-time waiter and a new dad, pulls my attention away from Jeff.
After everyone orders, the mood at the table begins to resemble a funeral service. No one is talking and everyone is avoiding everyone’s eyes. The only thing we’re missing is bouts of crying. What a fun date. If I’m being honest, I’m kind of glad Ron and I aren’t here alone. The friend thing is really beginning to sink in. I guess it’s time to get this funeral—I mean party—started.
“So guys, any photo shoots coming up soon?” I ask and watch as all eyes zoom in on mine. I swear I hear sighs of relief from the whole table.
“No, it’s pretty quiet this time of year. I have one Christmas gig on Monday, but then it’s free time until January,” Drew replies.
Mr. Aussie speaks up next. “I’m traveling home in two weeks where it’s, like, ninety degrees. So, I booked a few shoots while I’m there.”
“A couple of shoots in freezing cold London. What was I thinking?” Colin’s voice makes me want to go with him just to keep him warm.