"Maybe I do believe it, all this 'meant to be' stuff."

• • •

I take another once over of myself in the body length mirror in my room, patiently waiting to receive an 'I'm here' text message. I admire the way the semi frilly yellow dress compliments my brown skin that has gotten somewhat noticeably darker since summer began. I take a last look down at my strappy sandals and lemonade pink toe nail polish, adjust my knee length dress and decide to stop overthinking it.

Picking up my cross body bag I walk downstairs to show my mom what I finally picked after 3 outfit changes. She's dressed down after a long day of work, doing the dishes. Her old wedding ring is sitting on the window sill and the sun reflecting off of it nearly blinds me which makes me wonder if I should have grabbed sunglasses. She doesn't even notice I've appeared until I start speaking.

"So what do you think? I'm not choosing again so keep that in mind." The soap suds cover her hands and forearms as she turns around, reaching for a towel while looking me up and down.

"Mm it's cute! I liked all the other ones too though, D," I roll my eyes at her maternal bias, "You're getting really dressed up for a school event, aren't you?"

"Well you know what they say about first impressions and all," I don't lie to my mom very often but I feel like this is something I wouldn't want her to know about for some reason. Maybe I'm afraid she won't approve or something. I told her I'm going to a picnic the school throws for all the new students every year; I also told her we're assigned buddies at orientation for this event and mine was picking me up. I really hope she doesn't wanna meet this 'buddy' of mine.

"How'd the meeting with the potential investors go?" I mention, desperately trying to change the subject before she could ask more questions. Her demeanor visibly changes.

"Oh you know. Maybe they will maybe they won't, but no matter what Angela's Gardening Services will be a real business soon! With a bell on the door and everything." I walk to my mother and give her a hug, this business stuff has been stressing her out and I know she needs it. I feel my phone buzzing through my bag.

"Yes it will mom." Kissing her on the cheek I start towards the door so that she doesn't follow me and yell goodbye. I walk outside and see Jacob sitting in his black Aston Martin Vanquish, he's just showing out at this point, with his tinted windows rolled down. I try not to gawk at the expensive car and hop in. "You said you'd be here at 7, it's almost 7:30." I put on my seatbelt knowing his driving record.

"You look nice." He says, driving off.

• • •

We pull into an expensive looking restaurant, the sun is finally starting to set. He opens his door then hands his keys to the valet, he walks over to my side of the car and opens my door. When I step out I finally get to see his outfit. Why is he so attractive? I feel like I'm literally melting at the sight of him. His cuffed white button down has the top few buttons undone, which gives me a glance at the black words on his chest and his gold necklace dangling whenever he leans forward. He guides me forward into the dimly lit restaurant where a man is standing behind a table at the entrance. He's short and bald, smiling even though I know he's probably tired from serving snobby people all day. "Good evening, can I have the name for your reservation?" He finally says.

"Ricci." Jacob takes his sunglasses off and when he does I notice the gold rolex watch on his wrist. I look down at my outfit and start to feel subconscious,like I don't even belong in a place like this. We haven't said much to each other on the way over and my stomach starts to churn, I feel like I'm gonna throw up. Ignoring the knots in my stomach I follow behind the man alongside Jacob to the roof terrace. There are string lights and candles set everywhere surrounding the green bushes and colorful flowers. We are escorted to a table with a single red rose in skinny clear vase and two small lit candles. The greeter pulls out my chair and I thank him, he then sits down two menus.

"Can you bring us out a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon please? Thank you." He adjusts his seat and the man nods his head scurrying off.

"Oh um, I don't think they'll let me drink." I mention nervously, still trying to deal with the riot happening in my stomach.

"With how much this costs, they don't have a choice." He laughs lightly. I switch between shifting around in my seat and staring at the sunset.

"Why?"

"Well, the owners really only care about their profits and ratings-" I cut him off.

"No, I mean why did you ask me on this date," I think I've officially lost it, "I'd be lying if I said that I understood all of this and I'm pretty sure I'm losing my mind trying to figure it out. I just need to know because I think I'm gonna throw up at any minute-"

"Here's your Cabernet Sauvignon, have you all had a chance to look over the menu yet. We have lots of specials tonight, including our-" The young bearded waiter arrives, beginning to pop the top of our wine but then Jacob cuts him off.

"Thank you so much but we'll be needing some more time." He nods his head in understanding then turns and walks away leaving me alone to deal with the consequences of my words. "Please finish what you were saying." Jacob says in a taunting manner, an amused smile takes over his face. I wish I were invisible right now.

"I'm sorry, I'm just nervous and you're really attractive and composed and I am literally talking out of my ass right now." I sink my face into my hands, trying to conceal my embarrassment. He picks up my glass and begins pouring wine into it. When he finishes I take a huge gulp of it and a deep breath.

"I'm gonna pretend that didn't happen, for your sake of course. How was your day?"

After we started having a normal conversation I calmed down. When the sun set, the restaurant started to pick up even more business but I could only focus on Jacob. I followed the sound of his voice like a lost puppy, it felt like we had been sitting at the table for hours, we finished our food ages ago.

"I don't think I can eat anymore." I say taking yet another sip of wine, I think this might be my third glass. Maybe liquid courage does work. He stares at me without saying another word and it makes me giggle. "What? Is there food in my teeth?"

"Is that a tattoo on the inside of your arm?" He points.

"Oh uh yeah, it's a moon with a bunny silhouette on it. My dad used to read me Goodnight Moon nearly every night and I don't remember much of him but I remember that." His phone begins to rapidly, loudly buzz from his pocket but he ignores it.

"I never guessed you'd be the tattoo type."

"Well I guess you have a lot more to learn about me then huh." His phone begins to buzz, again, he starts to look irritated. "Maybe you should get that." I say also beginning to be irritated by the interruption. He apologizes with his eyes then stands up to answer his phone.

When he returns the look on his face is unreadable. "I need to take you back."

"Is everything ok?" I ask, worried.

"Yeah I just have deal with this." He leaves money on the table and guides me by my hand out of the restaurant.

• • •