[My Girlfriend is a Hivemind] - Alternate Start, A Date Lined Up

(This story will have some slight changes to the original. Main character is named John instead, but most other foundational details remain.)

John was ready for his date. After a middling time in high school and college, he was having success in life at 26. He liked his job and was decent at it, he finally had financial security, and now he was on a date tonight.

He stepped out of his apartment, the date was in an hour at a nice seafood restaurant and he needed to get there early.

John lived in a medium-ish city, and rather than drive there, he decided to get an Uber.

His driver, Mindy, was set to arrive in just a few minutes. He sat down on the steps from his apartment and waited. Thoughts of his date rushed through his mind.

Laura: a redhead, 25 years old, super attractive, seemingly also someone trying to get a good career going, and shared some mutual interests. They hit it off immediately on a dating site and she was open to a date after just a few messages. John couldn’t believe his good fortune, she was the first match he got.

His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his Uber, who rolled down the window. “John?”

“Yes that’s me!” He replied from the steps and got into the sedan. The driver was a woman in her late 30s, blond hair, slightly chubby body.

“A date downtown?” Her face reflected in the dashboard mirror as she said it.

“Yup. I’m really looking forward to it. Thanks for the pickup.” John smiled his signature grin at the stranger.

“I am— sure she is too.” Little weird cadence on the reply, but John’s accidentally said ‘you too’ to a waiter when they said ‘enjoy the food,’ it’s just something that happens.

John was ready to simply ride in the car, but Mindy kept the conversation going.

“I must say you look like a lovely fella. Your date is lucky.”

John then noticed something a little odd. Mindy adjusted her clothing as she spoke, she unbuttoned the top button of her blouse. An attempt to get a larger tip obviously.

“You’re not too bad either. But I’ve got a date to get to haha!” John was not about to be flirting with another woman right before a date.

Mindy seemingly sensed the nervousness and stopped talking further, until they arrived at the drop off.

John got out of the Uber and spoke to the driver. “Well, thanks for the ride! Have a good night!”

“You too honey, I bet the date with Laura is gonna go really well.” Mindy drove off, a blush on her face.

John once again was confused. He never said the name of his date. But, maybe he muttered it under his breath, it’s been the dominant thought in his mind for the whole day since him and Laura matched the day before.

John waited outside the restaurant. He texted Laura.

“Just outside the place, dropped off by a sedan. Can’t wait!”

Maybe it was the nerves, but John could feel pairs of eyes on him everywhere. A jogger on the other side of the street held his gaze for a few seconds. A couple walked past him, but the woman kept turning back at him. Numerous cars passed by him while glancing at him.

Ah I’m so nervous it feels like the world is staring at me. Don’t mess this up John! He thought.

John got a text from Laura.

“Just parked, coming around now. Should see you soon.”

And sure enough, he saw the red hair from her profile duck around an alleyway.

“Laura!” He called out and waved her down. He was relieved she didn’t ghost him, such a quick match could have easily been too good to be true.

He walked over to her and quickly brought her in for a greeting. “How’s it going! I hope your day of work wasn’t as tiring as mine.”

“Oh work was easy. I can handle a lottt of problems at once, it was barely anything at all to get through today. I had you to look forward too after all.”

“Awesome. You look wonderful! Right this way.” John’s words got a blush out of Laura, then he motioned her to the restaurant. He opened the door and held it for her. “Ladies first.”

She stepped through with a smile. The pair stood with the maitre d for a second as a couple walked by to a table. John could swear the woman in this couple was also looking at him, but his focus was on Laura now.

The maitre d was a woman in her early 40s John thought, clearly experienced and capable. He could hear her words ring with authority before he and Laura were up to check in.

“Hello. Reservation for two under Frederick.” John was courteous and respectful.

The maitre d looked at the couple and smiled.

“Right this way Mr. Frederick. You’re in luck, your reservation was upgraded. You’ll have a private room to yourselves, and I’ll make sure you have your own waitress.” The tone of the maitre d was oddly warm and gentle, quite different from the authoritative tone she took just earlier.

John looked at Laura as if to say, “wow, what good fortune!” but Laura looked back without shock.

Time alone with a beautiful girl in a fancy restaurant. Impossible to top. His friends definitely wouldn’t believe him if he told them how smoothly his first ever true date was going.

The couple was seated and only seconds later, the waitress appeared. A young and spry brunette with a shapely body through her uniform.

John couldn’t help but have a thought run through his mind: Wow, incredibly fast, like she knew we were here before we stepped in.

“Aw, a cute couple. My name is Stacy, and I’ll be your personal server tonight. Can I get you two any drinks?” The waitress was beaming at John and hardly noticed Laura.

Laura answered quickly. “Just some water for now.”

John right behind her, “A water would be good too.”

The waitress wrote down the drinks and added. “I’ll let you two have a few minutes to think about what you’d like to order, I’ll be right back with the drinks.”

“A private room, our own waitress. And a gorgeous date. Laura I’m not sure how this night could be any better.”

Laura had a glint in her eyes for a moment, John got the hint that she almost was going to add ‘so far as you know.’

The couple chatted about a few things, things mostly already mentioned on the dating app. How their lives were going, plans for the future, all that kind of stuff.

Laura laughed at his attempts at jokes, and John listened to her stories. Mid way through the conversations, the server was back with the drinks.

Two cups of water dropped of on the table, and a clear realization that John was still deciding.

“I’ll be back again in a couple minutes to get your orders.” She left the private room.

John gave the menu a thought, Laura seemingly didn’t need to look. To John, Laura clearly already knew what she wanted before she even sat down and was waiting for him to select something.

“Yup, this right here looks good.” And no sooner then he had said that, the server came back, like she was waiting for him to say something.

“Does the lovely couple know what they’d like to eat?” The waitress is almost affectionately asking, like John and Laura were her favorite customers ever.

Laura was quick. “I’ll have the flounder please.”

“And I’ll get the shrimp scampi please.” John responded right after. The waitress wrote John’s order down and didn’t bother with Laura’s. Another odd detail, but John didn't bother saying anything, maybe it’s a super common order, expected.

The couple continued to talk. Everything John liked about Laura over the app, he loved in person.

Laura talked about her family, she has a sister she adores. John remarked that he has a pair of sisters too, but they never got along, even now.

Laura spoke about how she likes running and biking, and reads regularly.

John talked about what he’d read recently to connect with her, that he’s kind of a movie buff and has been big into gaming.

Through the conversations, the waitress came back with the food. But also with a big extra that they didn’t order.

John tried to tell the waitress despite Laura saying it was probably fine, but she was quick to ease his concern.

“Here are your orders, and compliments of the owner, a bottle of Chardonnay. She has a weakness for young couples.” She then uncorks the bottle and pours some into glasses for both of the couple.

“Thank you for choosing our establishment. Enjoy you two!” The waitress bows and then scampers off, beaming with joy.

Laura spoke up to John. “WOW, can you believe that! A whole bottle on the house. I guess we have to celebrate with a drink!”

After a couple of drinks. Laura stares at John and signals. John thinks he understands what it means and comes closer. A kiss. A peck on the lips.

“First of many I think.” Laura slyly tells him, and John blushes solid red for a second.

Both John and Laura continue to enjoy their food and drink and before long, both have finished. Alcohol in their systems, but not enough to compromise their driving abilities. The waitress returns.

“How was the food?”

John is quick to speak. “It was great!”

“Split or single check?” The waitress is ready to write down whatever is chosen.

Before John can speak, Laura volunteers. “This was a lovely date John. Let me handle the bill, it’s only fair that since you got the reservation, I handle something.”

John almost protests, but the process moves too fast and the waitress presents Laura with the bill.

“Thanks Laura. You really didn’t have to do that. I was more than—” She puts a finger to his mouth.

“John, I can handle it. It’s a token of my gratitude for being a great guy. And, if you’re willing, I want to take you back to my place for tonight.”

Laura pays the bill and signs it. The happy couple stand up and embrace. Another kiss, longer this time. John feels the electricity flow through his body. He’s completely in love with this woman.

They both leave the restaurant, John’s hand over Laura’s shoulder and leaning on her.

John never looked at the bill, if he had he would have seen that the total was $0. The whole meal and drink was completely on the house, the bottle alone way beyond John’s normal budget. All very odd for a normal couple to not be charged at all.

John nearly trips. He’s excited at his prospects tonight. “Lead the way. That was a lot for me to drink tonight, but it felt good.”

“It was, wasn’t it. But now the real date begins, right John?” She playfully pulls him by the hand toward her car. John gets in to the passenger seat of Laura’s sports car. He didn’t notice until now she drove an absolutely incredible car.

“Laura, this is an awesome car. What do you do for work again?” John chuckles, she has great taste, but a meager salary doesn’t get something this good, not normally.

“Well, I work with people as a counselor. It pays pretty well.” Laura bats away the question. The drive is pretty uneventful, Laura drives well enough and they never have to stop or get stuck behind any cars. The good luck just won’t cease.

John follows Laura up to her apartment room. It’s much nicer than his. But he doesn’t see much of it because they go straight to the bedroom.

“A great date deserves a great night.” Laura starts undressing, and wants John to do the same.

John is overjoyed. He strips down, and sees Laura in just her bra and panties. He can’t help but feel erect, Laura is absolutely gorgeous. Large breasts, flowing red hair, and an ass that won’t quit. Her eyes are striking and pull the whole package together.

John’s mouth is watering as Laura pushes him into the bed.

“Come on John. Show me what you’ve got in there. Such a good guy, I want to please you.” Her mouth is on his chest, going down and she tears off his last layer. The passion is growing between them, a kiss, a moan, a grab of a boob and a cheek.

“Help me get my bra and panties off. Come here.” The kissing just won’t cease. John helps Laura take off the last of her clothes too. They’re rolling and making love. John opts for a standard missionary position.

They’re embracing while fucking, and due to the combined incredible night, alcohol, and the foreplay, John can’t help but bust in only a few minutes of sex.

“I’m sorry Laura.” John is critically embarrassed.

“John, you needn’t ever apologize for me. I’m beyond flattered. To tell you the truth, this whole night was calculated. I knew you’d likely lose control like this.” John is confused by the word ‘calculated.’

To him, she obviously didn’t force the restaurant to upgrade the reservation or anything, so what could she mean really?

“John, if we can just talk for a while. I need to explain something really important.” Her voice is quite serious now.

John, riding his orgasm high, just lies there looking at her, breathing. “Uh, sure. Anything Laura. If it’s something important, I’m sure I’ll understand.”

Laura bites her lip. “Promise?”

John doesn’t hesitate. “Yea, absolutely Laura. Anything. I promise.”

She breathes deeply and her words take a moment to flow out, but they do. “John… I’m a hivemind.”