Shawnie's POV

Although I never received a text message from Marcel that night, I did get a text message from him later the next afternoon. He apologized for not texting me and he said he got caught up doing something and that he simply forgot. From then, on we consistently held a text conversation throughout the day for a week straight. The text conversations were about random things, just us getting to know each other. Nothing too deep. He said we can save that for our first date, which we scheduled that following Saturday night.

I was able to schedule the date at the restaurant where I was working. I knew it sounded pretty crazy when I suggested it to him, but it was literally the only way I can work him into my schedule. What I did was get off work an hour early and I was able to just get ready at work and he met me there. I knew it's kind of selfish of me to ask him to come there, but it was the only way I was gonna fit him in. I didn't have time to go anywhere else and do the whole date thing.

It was very hard for me to break my schedule and fit in with this random guy, but I was intrigued. I wanted to know more about him and this was the only way I was going to get that. I didn't really have time for a boyfriend or anything and I knew I had to express that to him. I didn't want him getting the wrong idea as far as us going on this date.

I sat at the table waiting for him. I think I only waited about 10 minutes before he came strolling in. He walked over to me smiling and I was just so in love with that smile. I swear every time he smiled at me the Angels and church choir sang hallelujah.

He kissed me on the cheek before he sat down in front of me and it was like the smile got bigger.

"Hey Gorgeous!"

"Hi!" I said

"You drink?" He asked

"A little."

"I told the hostess to let our waiter know that I wanted to order two shots of the bourbon."

"Bourbon? I don't really drink that." I said, as I frowned up my face.

"I'm sure you never have but if it's okay I wanted us to take a shot together before we get this thing started, so we can loosen up a little bit. I know I may not show it, but I'm a little nervous."

"No you're not. Stop!" I laughed off that comment.

"No really. I am."

"Why?"

"Beautiful woman, first date, having to explain who you are, equals nerves."

"I get it."

"Are you not?"

"No, Because I have no expectations of this." I admitted.

"I guess you could look at it that way."

The waitress comes and she sits our two shots on the table.

"Are you guys ready to order?"

"No, but you can bring us a bottle of red Ornellaia, and give us about 15 minutes." He said sliding my shot over in front of me. The waiter says okay then walks away.

"That's a $500 bottle..."

"I know, I'm trying to impress you."

"I'm already impressed, you don't have to do that." I said

"I know I don't, I want to." He smiled, "Promise me that on our second date I get to put some type of effort in, pickling the place and being able to pick you up and do this the proper way." He said

We both laughed as the waitress quietly placed the two shots on the table, along with the bottle of wine ordered. She asked us if she could get us anything we both told her we need a more time and she walked away.

"I know. I'm sorry. You don't know me very well, so I have to explain this to you. As you know I am in law school, I have a super strict schedule that I live by. I study every day for a couple of hours. I have my free time, family time, and spa time. Everything is scheduled and I have pretty much been living this schedule for the last year and a half. I don't really have extra time to do fun stuff. My dad told me as long as I can get through these seven years of school, I'll be able to do whatever I want and that's what I'm sticking with. So today is great, but I don't know how many nights I'm gonna be able to do this."

"I respect it. I'm willing to be worked in wherever you can fit me in." He smirked, "So I guess that goes without saying, you don't have a boyfriend?"

"I don't have a boyfriend...but, I do have a person that when we have time, if ever, we do spend that time together. I'm doing law school. He's going to medical school, to be a doctor. Our schedules are very conflicting." I explained

"So neither one of you really have the time to get to know each other." He asked

"We know each other. We've known each other for years. I like the guy, he's cool and all, but it's just wrong timing right now." I said

"So why are you wasting your time?" He asked, and I kind of paused for a little bit, trying to process the comment.

"It's not a waste of time, it's just we don't have time." I explained the situation the best way I knew how and that's pretty much the gist of it.

"I want you to stop communicating with him. There's no point in that." He said nonchalantly.

"Excuse me? I don't think you have the right to request that." I said with a smile. I was kind of flattered at the same time as feeling a little defensive over my relationship with Christian.

"Why not? I'm right here in front of you. If you really wanted to make time for him, you would. You made time for me." He explained. He's right, If I really wanted to make time for my friend, I would, but I haven't.

"True, but—."

"What's the difference?" He asked

"There is none." I said

"You like me." He said, taking his shot.

"I like you." I took my shot as well. I feel like I'm found out, but we both know we kinda like each other.

"That's the difference." He said, picking up his menu.

"You're a little mysterious and hard to read, but I like that. It makes me want to know more about you." I confessed

"You can ask me whatever you want, but I might be more interested in knowing about you. I want to know everything."

"Okay, I guess I'll start first, I've already told you about law school and everything. I don't have a boyfriend, never really have, I'm pretty boring." I nervously laughed.

"Let's stay there for a minute. How is it that as beautiful as you are, you've never had a boyfriend?" He asked, leaning in towards me.

"My dad always scared them off. There was a boy in high school. We dated off and on throughout our junior and senior year. We went to prom and everything but he went to school in California and I haven't talked to him since."

"Wow!"

"I'm not upset about it or anything. I just figured I would come across the right person eventually and get married and have kids and all of that stuff. I just got to get my career going first."

"But no boyfriend? Not even sex? How do you deal with that?"

"No, no sex." I laugh nervously. "No time."

"Oh come on, everyone makes time for sex."

"Not me."

"Okay...you're really focused."

We both laugh, as he pours more wine in our glasses.

"Very focused... So one thing I never told you during our text conversation, is I talked to the receptionist at the spa, and she told me you added me to your account."

"You caught me." He laughed, and rested his hand under his chin. "I just wanted to surprise you again. You seem like you work hard, and after the conversation we had today, you deserve it."

"I deserve it." I mocked him.

"Whatever I can do to help." He said and his phone rang.

"I'm sorry," he said looking at his phone. "Can I take this call? It's work."

"Yeah, go ahead."

He quickly answered the phone call. I watched him talk on the phone. His relaxed body language made me feel relaxed. His quick glances at me make me feel like his attention was still on me, even though he was currently engaged in a conversation. When he looked away from me, I took that as an opportunity to look at him a bit longer. I didn't wanna seem like I was staring, that would be weird. I liked him a lot and I couldn't help but to feel like I wanted to spend more time with him. Get to know him more.

After he hangs up from his call, he puts his phone back down on the table, face up.

"I apologize for taking that call. Normally, I would just call them back but it was one of my coworkers. We don't have an assistant right now so we're handling everything on our own and it's kind of crazy right now." He explained.

"It's okay. I understand, it's work."

"Yeah but I'm having so much fun with you, I'm upset that it was interrupted."

"That's nice of you to say. So tell me about you. You told me about how you became successful at your company, but that's all I know. Tell me about Marcel when he isn't in a suit and in business mode."

"I think I'm pretty relaxed. I like to box, I go to the gym twice a week. I like to play basketball and on the weekends I coach a little league football team."

This man just keeps getting better and better. He coaches a little league football team? That is so cute.

The waitress comes back and we order our food., then we get back into our conversation.

"I also have another business that I am venturing into right now. I have a partnership with one of my friends. We are in talks of opening a restaurant."

"That sounds interesting. What kind of food?" I asked

His phone rang again and I glanced over, silences it and continued looking at me.

"Caribbean slash latin cuisine."

"That is so interesting I definitely think you should do that. You already seem like you're a business owner, so I know you will do well with that. Do you cook?" I asked

"I love to cook actually. My friend is a chef and that's who I'm going into business with but between the both of us, I think that will be pretty successful. We already have a space so we're in the process of renovating and getting everything up to code. We both have day jobs so this is just something that we're doing on the side for right now. Nothing too serious."

"Maybe when you open your restaurant, I can come work for you there."

"I'm already thinking about it. But I wouldn't put you in my restaurant." He looked around.

"Do you like working here?" He asked

"It's okay. I've been coming here with my family for years, so we know the owner. They just gave me a job because I needed money."

"How much do you make here? I'll double whatever they're giving you."

"$15 an hour." I answered

"Oh yeah, I can definitely double that. I will pay you $30 an hour if you come work for me. You don't have to work your 10 hour shift, you can do six."

"Are we talking about the restaurant or at your advertising company?"

"My advertising company. I told you shits been haywire ever since we had to let go of our old assistant and they've been looking but no one really qualifies."

"Okay, I don't think I qualify for the job either.."

"The position can be part time. I can make that happen. We'll just have to hire someone else to pick up what you can't handle. I'm willing to work with you."

"Why me?"

"I want to see you every day and this is me coming up with a way for that to happen." He smiled.

I know my face turnt bright red. I was uncomfortable but it wasn't uncomfortable in a negative way it was uncomfortable as in a flattering way. His flirts were so heavy to me. I've just never experienced someone putting an effort like this. It's nice. A little overwhelming but it's really nice. I like the feeling of it.

"Can I get back to you with my answer?"

"Of course. Take your time making a decision. I know you gotta put your two weeks in because they're family friends and all, but whenever you're ready just let me know and I will let HR know. But if you want the job you could have that. I actually think this will be a good move for you because once you actually graduate it is going to be nothing for you to move departments."

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want to see you win. You got your shit together at an early age and you're sticking with it. I can definitely relate and I respect that. You remind me of me when I was younger." He said, with a serious face.

"Give me some time, let me talk it over with my parents and I'll get back to you."

"No rush."

The waiter comes back with our food. She sits our plates in front of us and we begin eating.

"So tell me about your parents, what do they do?" He asked

"Well, my parents are separated. They've been separated for a few years now. My mom is great. She's the definition of one of those cool moms. We get together once a week for dinner. I do that with both of my parents. My mom on Mondays and my dad on Tuesdays...."

"And the spa on Wednesdays." He smiled

"Yes. My mom used to be a therapist and my dad is actually a retired police officer."

"Makes sense why he was scaring off your boyfriends."

"Exactly. They will come over to the house and he would have his gun on his hip. That's all they needed to see and they were out of there."

We both laughed.

"I know this question is so basic, but I would really like to know, but what is your favorite color?" He asked

"Emerald green." I answered.

"Noted. Mine is red. Your favorite designer?"

"Designer? Not that I can afford it, but I love Valentino, and Chanel. I love the Burberry pattern. I wish I could have a whole room full of Burberry shit." I laughed at myself. "I should probably be asking you that question. You're the one in designer suits every day it seems like. Who are your favorite designers?"

"As for my suits, I like Giorgio Armani, and Tom Ford. You talked about how you love the Burberry pattern, well I love the Versace designs. For shoes, I'm almost always in a pair of Christian Louboutin's. I love his sneakers."

"I see, you always have them on."

"You've noticed." He smirked, nodding his head. "I see you are paying attention. I don't have any sneakers on tonight. I put on the loafers."

"I like a man that can dress, so that was definitely something that caught my attention from the beginning." I admitted.

He didn't say anything for a couple seconds, he just stared at me, squinting his eyes and smiling. "I have a question for you." He says with a serious face.

"What?"

"If I were to buy you something would you wear it on our second date?" He asked

I was kind of taken aback for a few seconds.

"What kind of something?" I asked. I felt a little word about that question. 

"Oh, no." He laughed, "I don't mean lingerie or anything, I mean a dress."

"Oh." I laughed, "It depends. Number one, I have to see what the dress looks like and number two, I didn't know we were having a second date."

He smiled, "Well it's a surprise. It's not gonna be anything too short or revealing. I don't really care for a woman who dresses that way. And yes, that is definitely going to be a second date. I already have a plan in my head."

I giggled, nervously sipping my wine. The way he was looking at me, I felt so small under his gaze. His eyes were intense, but I liked it.

"Well, I don't know if I'm gonna have time to go on a—."

"Yes, you will. You'll make time." He said.

I almost felt like he was controlling me with his mind, because when he told me I would make time, in my head I said I'm gonna make time for him.

"Okay."

The rest of the night was actually really nice. Once the date was over he didn't try to come back to my house and sleep with me or anything. That definitely gave him a couple of extra points. He made sure I made it to my car safely, kissed me on my cheek and watched me drive off.

What did you think about this chapter??
Any thoughts on Marcel?