Him

08: He Asks Me Out

"Just checking inventory. I have a weird question for you, and please don't take it the wrong way."

I raise an eyebrow at him, wondering what he could be possibly talking about.

"Okay, what is your weird question?"

He sets the inventory sheet on the counter and turns to me, "Are you still seeing James? Like, are the both of you still in a relationship? Because I know you two have classes together and hang out still and I'm sorry, I sound stupid."

"No, you don't sound stupid", I inform him, "Yeah we're friends but no, we're no longer dating. I'm single as a pringle."

He snorts at the last part, but I ignore him.

"Why do you want to know?"

I look up at him, his blue eyes wander around the room, and I step in front of him so I could see his expression properly.

He looks like he's debating something in his head, and I don't know if I should push him to tell me or just stare at him until he's ready.

"I know you don't know much about me, and we just started becoming somewhat friends and all, but I think I like you and I wanted to know if you wanted to go out on a date."

"So, you want us to go on a date together?"

I motion my hand between the two of us and he looks down at me, "Yes, unless you don't want to, and we can just pretend that nothing ever happened."

"No, I'll go out with you. When and where?"

He looks shocked for a moment before smiling, then he replies, "I'll text you the details."

"Okay then, back to work."

♡

"So, you're really doing it?"

"Yeah, I don't see why not. I'm single, he's single. What's the issue?"

Hazel shrugs, grabbing some of my popcorn.

We were sitting at another one of Theo's soccer games. He doesn't go into Semi-Finals until March, but our team is marked on the schedule.

I'm proud of how far along they've come but it's no surprise with how much their coach and Charles, their captain, push them.

"I don't know Isa; it just seems weird. Isn't he one of James' friends? That won't be awkward?"

"Hazel, it's not like James, Dean, and I are dating. Plus, it's only one date. Who knows if it'll even go well?"

"Hey, what did I miss?" Isaiah sits down next to us, kissing Hazel on the cheek and handing us sodas.

"Nothing much", Hazel says to him, kissing him back and I laugh.

"Why do the two of you come when you have no idea what's going on?"

"Cause that's my dude out there. I might not understand the game but he's out there kicking ass. He does the same for me at basketball games."

I wanted to tell him that's because Theo understands basketball, but I leave it alone.

"Hey, I'm here to keep you company", Hazel states matter of fact, and I smile.

At least she tries.

♡

"So, how's the meal?"

Dean asks me as I take another bite of the food.

We were at Cedars Mediterranean, and I honestly didn't think I would be interested in Mediterranean food, but it was good.

"This is amazing. Why are you just now taking me here?"

"Well, you were dating my friend and I didn't want to be the guy that dates his friends' exes, but James was cool with it. I'm glad you like the food."

"Yeah so am I. It seemed questionable at first."

He smiles at me, and I smile back.

We spend the next 20 minutes getting to know each other, asking about favorites and dislikes and childhood.

I found out that Dean has a younger brother, he likes trying foods from different cultures since his mom can't cook and his dad is always too busy to. His favorite color is red, and he plans to help run his dad's company.

"This has been bothering me, I don't get why you and James broke up. You're beautiful, funny, smart, kind. He cheated on you, didn't he? That asshole-"

I place my hand over his, stopping him.

"No, that's not it. You can relax. We just had our differences and when we couldn't argue about it anymore we broke up. You don't have to be mad at James for anything."

He leans back in his chair, looking me over and I can tell that he's not fully buying what I say.

"I don't know Isa, the two were dating for a long time. I saw the way you guys were, I feel like there's something and if there is, I don't want to be in the middle of that."

"Dean, you're not in the middle of anything. James just assumed that something was going on between Theo and me. Which there wasn't and still isn't, just to clarify."

"Well, I'm sorry that happened to you."

"Let's get back to what's going on now, okay?"

I give him a small smile and he returns to eating his meal.

♡

"Tonight was fun Isabella, I hope we can do it again soon."

"Same here, thanks for walking me to my room, you didn't have to do that."

He smiles, tucking one of my curls behind my ear. "Of course, I did. What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you walk alone?"

We stand for a moment in silence.

I'm not sure what to do, it was a good night, but I don't think I'm ready to kiss him or anything like that.

"Thanks for coming out tonight, see you at work."

Dean tells me, holding out his hand for me to shake.

I feel so awkward shaking his hand, he turns around to leave and all I can say is, "See you tomorrow."

I have no clue if I should go back to tell him something else and I realize I've been standing there for a while when Theo opens the door for me.

"You good? You've been standing there forever."

I nod, coming inside. "I went on a date with Dean and I'm not quite sure where it put us."

"You date white guys?"

I groan, swatting his arm as I set my keys down.

"I don't have a special certain type like you, Theo. Whatever that is."

He rolls his eyes and heads back to the couch.

"Why are you unsure of how it went?"

I look at him, "I don't know, he brought up the breakup with James a couple of times and I think he feels like he's overstepping or whatever."

"Isa, you never told me why the both of you broke up, you told him?"

He sits up on the couch and I sigh.

"I didn't tell him why Theo, it's not his business nor yours. Good night."