The Date Part 4

You sit there looking at the spot across from you that Casey had vacated.

You cast your mind back over the past week looking for clues. When you were introduced Felix had told her that you told him that he was cute. You recall her...his...interest had really perked up when he heard that. He thought you were gay, or at least bi, all along. You recall a few times during those initial couple of days Casey kept trying to tell you something, each time she...fuck...he would get interrupted or distracted. You remember Felix mentioning how her dates would treat her like a "bro" and how it wasn't easy for her. FUCK! Him! Finally you remember his comment on the drive. She never got the lead roles. She was a square peg trying to fit into round holes she had said. These and a few other little moments all spring to mind as you sit there.

"You better go after her." The waitress says as she puts down the appetizer.

You go to speak and she raises her hand to stop you.

"I don't know and I don't need to know. Not my business. But that girl is hurting. Go to her. I guarantee you will regret it if you don't." She pats your shoulder sympathetically. She scoops up the plate she had just set down. "I'll keep this warm and hold your order until you get back in. Okay?"

You nod. She heads back towards the kitchen. You catch a few people glancing your way. Some with understanding, others rolling their eyes at the dramatic young people making a scene. You continue to look at the spot across from you. Casey's little purse still sat open on the table where she had left it.

Your first instinct was of self pity. Fuck...it figures. You finally find the girl of your dreams...and she's a fucking guy! What was it with your luck!? Was fate determined to have you sucking cock? At least you hadn't found out during an intimate moment! You shake your head. And with your luck he was probably hung like a fucking horse. He would have probably joined in with Fiona to start teasing you the second he...

You stop yourself. You knew that wasn't true. You might not know Casey that well but you knew a good soul when you saw one. He wouldn't tease you. She wouldn't tease you.

Your second reaction was more embarrassment. You had asked a guy on a date. A fuckin dude...sort of. You sigh. You were having a hell of a time thinking about her as a man. The illusion was nearly perfect. You were relieved nobody else here had figured it out, you would have died from the shame you were sure of it.

You hesitantly get up from your seat. You close and pick up her purse. You should at least bring this to her, might be tissues in there or something. You walk slowly towards the door. Unsure of what you would say or do once you got outside. One of the fellows by the door gives you a knowing look and says. "Good luck buddy."

You give him a weak smile.

Stepping out into the parking lot you look around. Casey's long crimson hair was hard to miss. You see him down the walk at the corner of the building. Her head was down and his shoulders slumped.

You walk quietly up behind her. You can hear him breathing deeply, trying to collect herself. You were glad to hear she wasn't crying.

"Um..." You start.

He spins toward you, there was fear in her eyes! Hands outstretched to keep you at bay he says. "Hey. I'm sorry. I know you're angry Jesse and you have every right to be. I really fucked up okay? Please...don't..." She leaves the rest unsaid. You could read between the lines though.

You say softly. "I'm not going to hurt you Casey." You hand her purse over. "I thought you might want this."

He reaches out and takes it. "Thank you." She whispers.

You stay an arms length away, standing with your hands in your pockets. "Have people hurt you before? Cause of...um...this?"

She sighs. "Sorry, I should have known you wouldn't... No. Nobody's hurt me physically. But there are stories. They call people like me traps. For exactly the reason we discovered tonight." He looks you in the eyes. "Jesse, I was so careless with you and I apologize. You just...kinda..." You could see her green eyes moisten once more. "...you kinda swept me off my feet Jesse Bailey. I could never think straight around you." She then lets out a sad laugh. "He he...think straight. Funny turn of phrase there."

"Well...you kinda swept me off mine too." You admit. "Hey, I accept your apology. There were clues I really should have picked up on myself." You hold out your hand for a very formal handshake. She stares at your hand with a deeply poignant but understanding look. He reaches out and shakes it.

A roll of thunder rumbles across the sky. The clouds from earlier had finally moved in. Rain was coming.

"Um...maybe we should just head home. Just take me home Jesse." He glances toward the car. "I won't say anything to anyone, don't worry.

You look at him for a long time. She looked so **** and so sad. He really was beautiful. Truly beautiful by any measure. That wasn't an illusion.

You finally point back towards the door. "We sorta ordered already. It would be a shame to let that food go to waste. Besides, it is your favorite."

He nods. "Sure. Thanks for being cool about this."

You step to the side and extend your arm toward the entrance in a "ladies first" sort of gesture. Clutching his purse to his chest he walks back to the restaurant, you following just behind. You walk back through, many of the other customers following you with their eyes, and take your seats again.

You sit in silence. Both of you staring down at the table unsure of what to say. The waitress soon returns with the appetizer once more. She doesn't say anything but gives you a warm smile and a little nod to tell you that you done good. You both munch the bruschetta until none remained. The pasta follows almost immediately. It was as every bit as good as the reviews had said, absolutely delicious.

"This is really good." You comment, breaking the silence.

Casey nods. "Yes. Amazing."

Slowly a start and stop conversation sputters to life. There was such an awkward tension between you now.

As he finishes up he looks up at you. "Jesse...could you tell me...what were we going to do next? Just out of curiosity."

You dab your lips with your napkin and take a drink. "They have this old cinema here. They show art house stuff and classics and stuff like that."

He smiles wistfully. "That would have been nice."

You shrug. "I was hoping so. They were showing an old black and white romance. Roman Holiday. I thought it would have went with the food."

She laughs lightly. "Peck and Hepburn. A classic."

"Oh, you've seen it?"

"Many times. It's a fine film." He nods. "It would have been a great date. You're going to make some woman very happy one day Jesse."

You look at her. Fuck...why did he have to be...a he.

"Your sister looks a lot like her, don't you think? Audrey Hepburn."

"Does she? Huh, if you say so." You say. You really didn't know much about that old actress. "Well, you had seen it already. Woulda been a waste of money then. I should have asked Felix about that...among other things."

Casey takes a long breath in through the nose then lets it out through her ruby lips. Probably thinking of the date that might have been. "We should get going."

"Yeah. It's a long drive home." You agree.

You reach for your wallet but Casey stops you. She puts a credit card down on the table. "It's the least I can do."

You look at the card. Nope...nope this just didn't feel right. You slide it back to her. "No. I invited you out. I insist."

She takes the card back. "Thank you." He says softly. "You really are a gentleman Jesse. Don't ever lose that." Her emerald gaze was heartfelt, you could see she wanted to take your hand again but she pulls it away.

You feel a blush warm your cheeks. "You...are um..." You cough and mutter a nothing after that. You look around in sudden impatience. "Where is that server?" You wave her over to your table. You pay the bill, cash, and leave a nice tip.

The waitress accepts the payment and looks at the two of you with a strange sort of regret. She could tell the date hadn't gone well. "Good night you two."

You both get up and thank her for her service. You leave Sebastian's much differently than when you had entered. Casey wasn't on your arm now. The pair of you maintained a polite distance. The warm friendliness between you now just a courteousness. You walk back to the car. You don't hold his door for him this time, that would just be weird.

You start up Queenie and pull out of the lot. Heading straight back along the road you had come in on. Heading home.

As you hit the edge of town the rain begins to patter down.