Until You

Part 2: First Dates

I've never been a fan of first dates, admittedly I haven't been on many since I started working but even undercover I get a bit apprehensive. What helped me was to know that I was able to distance myself from it by reminding myself that I was playing a character, a luxury I don't have now. Now it's just me and my stupid brain that won't seem to shut off, wondering if I was misreading the signs that made me think it was a date. Whatever it is, it's gonna be just me and a man I had a 7 minute conversation with. All over a succulent? A succulent that I barely even wanted yet I agreed to meet up with him again anyway. Oh well, you only live once right?

After I spend a little too much time picking out an outfit I finally settle on something and give myself the once over in the mirror. I argue over how I should wear my hair before I just settle on leaving it down and natural. I add a fresh coat of lip gloss and pull on a pair of "stolen" sneakers I took from a previous assignment. The red sneakers pair with my skinny jeans and white cropped sweatshirt, keeping it casual yet something to be desired of just in case. 

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 I drive back to Sunset Boulevard and thankfully get a close parking spot with a meter that's already been paid for, rare and lucky in LA but I'm not questioning anything. The string of lights decorate the part of sunset that's spacious and filled with food trucks on either side of the plaza, there's music playing for ambiance and a larger group of people than I'd expect. My phone vibrates and Calum's name is on the screen, not more than a minute of me stepping out of my car and he's already calling. "You're fast," I say first and I can hear that chuckle through the phone, picturing the smirk that comes with it. 

"I just had a feeling, I figured you could use some help finding me." His voice is smoothe through the phone and usually I'd avoid smooth talkers like him but there's a tingly feeling that keeps me wanting more. 

"I told you I don't need help, I'm pretty good at finding people,"I say walking into the crowd, looking around at the people to find the man from earlier. 

"No one is that good," he says in disbelief but once as he does I see the back of someone the same height as him, similar body type, and the same hairstyle who's on the phone. 

"Wow, good to know you think highly of me,'' I retort, waiting for his answer to verify it's him. 

"Oh i do, I just want to protect your pride a little," he quips back when I remove the phone from my ear, telling me it's him. 

"I don't need protecting," I say into the phone as I tap his shoulder. Calum turns around and it's fair to say he's surprised that I found him so fast. "So what was that about my pride?" Calum looks me up and down and chuckles in disbelief. 

"Hell, maybe you are that good," he admits and I shrug. 

"You'll come to learn that I'm that good at a lot of things," the suggestiveness of my tone wasn't intentional but his reaction gave me a boost of confidence. He changes the conversation and leads me to the food truck with the least amount of people, but it's evident he's in no hurry with how relaxed he is and it's safe to say I feel the same way.  

"Don't let the lack of line fool you, they've got the best street food in LA," Calum tells me convincingly but honestly, he could say anything with the smile of his so I just nod, letting him order for me. I never let anyone do so but here I am, letting someone I know little about ordering for me. He's much different than the guys I'd typically go out with and I'm definitely not complaining. I can tell he changed for tonight, his sweatshirt replaced with an opened black button up and a blank tank underneath, extenuating his strong arms, showing the tattoos on his right arm. I wonder the meanings behind them but I snap myself out of it when I realize he's waving over to me to come to him. Get your head in the game, it's one night, I tell myself as I watch him pay or the meal. He walks over to me and looks like he's about to say something but his phone rings, to which he quickly sends to voicemail.