The Date-not-date
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At this point in time, I had grasped the fundamental principles of a date: dress well, exude a pleasant fragrance, display charm, but not excessively, express interest, but just enough to sustain a conversation, and, most crucially, learn to recognize when a casual meeting is, in fact, a date.

However, this didn't mean I wasn't struggling with the latter, particularly when someone like George had been somewhat ambiguous in his intentions. Regardless of whether it was a date or not, I was determined not to waste the opportunity.

Upon arriving at Loescher, a palpable excitement radiated from me, catching Gildre's attention. She promptly approached the board with a playful tone.

"Someone looks exceptionally radiant today," Gildre teased.

"Thank you," I replied with a slight bow. "I'm having breakfast with a certain someone today."

"Oh, do you? And does that certain someone's name happen to start with the letter G, perhaps?" Gildre continued her playful banter.

"A hundred percent," I laughed. "It's a date-not-date."

"You're unbelievable!" Gildre rolled her eyes and giggled, then turned back to the counter. "I want details later, ok?"

Before I could respond to Gildre, George walked in, his fragrance reaching me instantly. My heart raced with a mix of excitement and nervousness, but I was ready to play my cards right.

"Mr. Dani, I believe breakfast is awaiting," George gallantly declared.

"I believe it is," I responded, playfully echoing his intonation.

"Shall we go then?" George gestured, indicating it was time to leave.

I started walking out, and he followed. Quickly turning my head to Gildre, I mouthed through the glass, "Wish me luck." Gildre couldn't help but respond with a big smile, accompanied by her two thumbs up.

Entering the bustling cafe, we opted for the only available table. The place was abuzz with noise, not exactly ideal for a tranquil conversation, but at least Rody wouldn't be part of the equation this time. I had the feeling George had spoken to Rody about it, asking her not to come this time. After perusing the menu, we placed our orders. I opted for a croissant with jam and butter, accompanied by my usual latte—I needed the caffeine to stay alert. George, on the other hand, ordered his usual toasts and an Americano.

"So, am I going to be forgiven, Mr.?" George teased, taking a small sip of his coffee.

"That depends," I replied, my attention focused on the croissant I was spreading butter on.

"Depends on what?" George raised a brow. "Isn't breakfast enough?" He laughed.

"Don't get me wrong; breakfast is a great start, but you need to promise not to leave me on read anymore," I said, placing both hands on my chin and smirking. Oh, I was flirting, okay? Coffee was having the desired effect.

"I can't fully promise that, but I can definitely promise to make the effort," George said, placing his cup on the table.

"Deal." I put my hand in front of me, waiting for him to shake it.

George shook my hand, and I didn't take my eyes off him. The grip of his hand felt warm. It was the first time I had felt his bare skin, and the fact that a simple touch like this could make my heart pound so hard made me realize I was, in fact, in deep waters.

The date-not-date continued well; George and I found ourselves laughing over several anecdotes of our daily adventures as teachers, eventually delving into more personal details. He told me he had been born and raised in the south of the country, and he had moved with his grandmother, with whom he didn't have a good relationship, so he could study in the capital. Yet, he had chosen to work instead.

"I want to be rich; that's my ultimate dream," George shared.

"Is that so?" I leaned on my chair with both arms crossed.

"I know it sounds crazy, but ever since I was a kid, I've dreamt of it. I'm just starting, and I know if I start now, someday I'll get there," George stated.

"I don't think it's crazy. I just don't feel the same about money," I said. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I need it. I just value other things more."

"I respect that," George said. "Shall we pay and go? I'd love to stay chatting all morning, but that money isn't gonna jump inside my pocket just like that." George winked at me.

"I agree," I laughed, and when I tried to get my card out of my pocket, he said, "Hey! This is on me, remember?" I smiled, he paid, and we both stood up and left for the school, back to our morning routine of classes.

As soon as we walked in, Gildre raised her eyes and followed me with them. I knew what she wanted, but I couldn't stop to chat; my next class was waiting for me. I gestured to let her know we would talk later, grabbed my book, and left.

When the clock finally struck 12, I started preparing to leave for my class at Parmacet. Grace had texted me, letting me know she was already waiting outside and urging me to hurry since she couldn't be parked there for long. I rushed out, and as I was walking out the door, Gildre intercepted me.

Exiting the building with a sense of urgency, I called out to Gildre, "Gilsy, I gotta go. Grace is already waiting for me."

She squinted her eyes and warned, "Okay, but you'd better call me this evening, or else I'm gonna kill you, I swear."

"I promise, I will!" I shouted back as I briskly walked towards the parking lot.

In the parking lot, I spotted Grace's car and hopped into the passenger seat. She greeted me with a grin.

"Finally, you're here! What took you so long, Hun?" Grace teased.

"Sorry, Gildre ambushed me, and you know how she can be," I explained.

Grace chuckled. "I do."

As we drove towards Parmacet, our conversation flowed naturally. Grace eventually steered the discussion towards George, and I couldn't resist sharing the recent events.

"So, he kinda apologized and suggested grabbing breakfast," I disclosed.

Her eyes on the road, Grace inquired, "And it was just the two of you this morning?"

"Yep, Rody was fashionably late, so she missed the breakfast party," I replied.

"Hmm, how convenient, so it was a date," Grace asserted.

"Exactly! I thought so too, but these days, I'm a bit lost in my own delusions, you know?" I sighed.

Grace glanced at me and assured, "Oh, honey, as one of the biggest delusional bitches around, I can assure you, you're not one. George is a bit clueless about what he wants, but he's definitely trying to figure it out, trust me."

"So, you think he's into me that way?" I sought reassurance.

"I think he does," Grace replied. "But based on my experience with curious women, you gotta be patient. Don't push too hard, or they might make a run for it."

That last piece of advice lingered. Was I unnecessarily complicating things? Was George truly worth the effort? In that moment, Fran's face popped into my head. I could choose the simpler path, the known route, but the undeniable truth stood: sometimes, the heart just wants what it wants.

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The following weeks unfolded with a newfound camaraderie among Rody, George, and me. Our breakfast sessions seamlessly integrate into our routine, fostering a growing bond. Following Grace's advice, I decided to take things slow, being George's friend with an occasional hint of flirtation to keep things warm.

Loescher had transformed into a home away from home. Gildre, my friend, ally, and confidant, added a touch of comfort to my days. I couldn't bear the thought of a day without her. On the other side, Grace, with whom I had formed a strong connection during the in-company classes at Parmacet, made me feel understood and safe. Her empowering presence made me feel equally empowered whenever I was in her company.

But if that weren't enough, I decided to take things a step further when George reminded me of my intention to get more classes, expanding my schedule into the afternoon. So, I determined it was time to pay Aimee a visit.

"Hey, Aimee, may I have a word with you?" I politely inquired from outside her office.

"Hello Dani! Yes, of course, come on in," Aimee greeted me. "What's on your mind?" she asked.

"I wanted to discuss the possibility of extending my shift, perhaps adding more classes. I have to admit money is a bit tight lately," I nervously requested, trying to maintain a polite tone.

"I see. The issue is that here at Loescher, we are not legally allowed to offer more than 40 hours a week," Aimee explained. "However, in reality, we're short on teachers for the afternoon shift since Paddy quit last week. There are some classes that need to be relocated," she added, offering a glimmer of hope.

"Perfect! I'll take them!" I exclaimed.

"Not so fast. First, I'll need to speak with Human Resources and see if we can find a way to make this happen," Aimee said, her eyes focused on her computer screen this time.

"Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" I said, putting both my hands together.

"Thank me when it's done," Aimee smirked.

It didn't take long for me to express my gratitude since, a couple of days later, she gave me the green light. I was excited because it felt like the afternoon shift was another world I had barely had the chance to explore. There were different teachers whom I only had a small chance to greet in the staff room when they were arriving after lunchtime, different students traversing the school, and even a different receptionist. The latter bothered me a little, but Gildre's shift ended at 7 p.m., so it would only be a couple of hours without her.

"Hey, hun, I heard you're taking charge of Paddy's class. Is that so?" Grace asked as we drove back from Parmacet.

"Yeah, I needed more hours, you know, financial struggles," I explained.

"Got it," Grace nodded.

"That and the opportunity to see George more often," I chuckled.

"Now we're talking," Grace winked.

"Ever find out why Paddy threw in the towel?" I inquired, curiosity taking over.

"Oh, Paddy? Seasoned, but a real jerk. Complaints stacked up, and he finally 'quit'—if you catch my drift," Grace explained, eyes on the road.

"Damn, I see." I raised an eyebrow.

This time, Grace didn't need to drop me off at the metro. I was embarking on my second shift at Loescher after the in-company class. George was on the horizon, and I wasted no time letting him know.

"Guess who's on the way to spice up your afternoon and evening?" I teased George over a text, my fingers dancing on the phone screen.

George's reply came swiftly: "I hope not Paddy; I had enough of him, haha."

"Well, I'm the new Paddy, so brace yourself." I hit send, grinning to myself.

George's response was equally swift: "Well, not much of a difference from the old one, if you ask me," he teased.

"Ouch, you'll pay for that," I replied, determined to keep the banter going.

Grace and I arrived at Loescher, and I sat at reception to chat with Gildre while waiting for my students. She was pleased to have me around longer but expressed concern about the late hours.

"My Dani, you'll be here practically all day, and by the time you get home, it'll be almost midnight," Gildre said, looking a bit concerned as she glanced at her watch.

"I'll be okay, no worries," I reassured her, but truthfully, she was right. I hadn't fully considered all the factors at play, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of weariness creeping in.

"Look who the cat dragged in—none other than Paddy's doppelgänger himself," George smirked as he entered the room, his playful tone evident.

"Yes, I've come back to haunt you." I squinted my eyes and then laughed, trying to shake off the fatigue that was beginning to weigh me down.

"Welcome to the afternoon shift."