Are You The One?

She had no idea why but she was nervous the entire time and twice had to take deep breaths to calm her nerves. She was ready by six o’clock sharp although their reservation was not until eight. At seven thirty the doorbell rang. She would have preferred not having to be the one to answer the door but Tara was still getting ready. She opened the door with a smile until she saw him standing there.

“You,” Brit exclaimed.

 “Yes. Me.”

“What are you doing here?” she demanded.

“I’m here to pick you up. I’m your date this evening.”

“How do you know Eric?” Brit questioned.

 “He’s an old friend from college. I thought Eric explained all of this,” Cliff explained.

 “He said his friend’s name was Cliff. Your name is George,” she said seething.

 “That’s my first name. But I prefer Cliff,” he explained.

 “Did you know I was Tara’s roommate?” Brit asked.

“Yes. That’s why I asked Eric to arrange the date,” Cliff said with a smile.

 “If I had known it was you I never would have agreed to this,” Brit said with narrowed eyes.

 “I figured as much. That’s why I asked him not to tell you.”

 Brit looked pointedly at Tara.

 “This is the jerk from the gallery and Metropolitan,” she explained.

 “Oh. Oh!” Tara said comprehension dawning on her. “Brit I didn’t know I swear.”

“Am I missing something?” Eric asked uncomfortably.

 “Look can we just start over? I have reservations at Jade Gardens. Eric said you ladies really wanted to go.”

 Brit bit her lip. She had wanted to go there since they arrived in LA.

 “Fine,” she agreed grabbing her purse.

She stalked past him with a scowl. Cliff grinned and followed her to the parking lot.

 When they arrived at the restaurant Brit was surprised to see that they were led to the top floor immediately though there was a long queue of guests waiting to be seated. The hostess led them up the stairs and Brit noticed they were the only ones seated there.

The waitress came to take their drink orders and Cliff asked for the house special appetizer plate. Brit was a little annoyed that he didn’t ask everyone else if they were okay with that but she held her tongue. She would try to enjoy the experience. Even if it was with George or Cliff, whatever he wanted to be called.

The waitress brought their drinks over and a huge platter with different offerings including mini egg rolls, lettuce wraps and steamed dumplings, Brit’s favorite.

“You would think they would be a little faster in seating the guests,” she observed. “This whole floor is empty.”

“I reserved the top floor so we wouldn’t be disturbed,” Cliff said with a smile.

“What do you mean you reserved the top floor?” she asked as she popped a dumpling into her mouth.

“I mean we are the only ones up here tonight. So we have privacy,” he said with his winning smile.

“Really? That is the most arrogant thing I have ever heard,” she snapped.

 “Brit…” Tara began.

 “No. Do you know how hard it is to get a reservation here? What about those people waiting down there? It’s snobby rich people like you who make it hard for the rest of us,” she said exasperated.

 “I just thought…”

 “Thought what? That I was like your other dates and would be impressed by your influence and wealth? Sorry to disappoint you.”

“Can we try to have a pleasant time and not make a scene?” Cliff asked with a frown. 

“You know what I’m leaving. I’m suddenly craving fast food burgers. And these eggrolls are just eggrolls with some carrot chiffonade tossed on top. I like China King’s much better.”

“Brit, don’t leave,” Tara pleaded.

 “I’ll ask the waitress to open the other tables if it will make you happy,” Cliff replied.

 “Don’t bother. Remember what you said before? Everyone has a price. Well not me,” she said grabbing her purse and heading for the stairs.

Tara stood up to follow. She turned back towards them.

“Tara stay. I know how much you wanted to come here. And these are really good,” she said taking a dumpling on the way out.

“You two stay and enjoy the meal. I’ll ask the waitress to open up the section. Don’t worry Tara I’ll make sure she’s okay. This is all my fault. You have a good time. I’ll fix this,” Cliff instructed.  

Cliff caught up with Brit as she exited the restaurant.

“Brit! Brittany,” he called after her.

“What do you want Cliff?” she sighed her arms crossed.

“Will you please come back inside?” he asked.

“I… I just can’t,” she stammered.

“Can we please just start over?” he begged.

“I don’t want to go back up there. I’ll feel ridiculous,” she admitted.

“Okay we don’t have to go back up. Will you give me twenty minutes? Stay right here. Just give me twenty minutes.”

“I don’t…”

“Please Brit? Twenty minutes. That’s all I ask.”

“Okay,” she agreed softly.

Cliff disappeared back into the restaurant. Brit stood outside, the warm California breeze lightly whipping the skirt of her crimson dress. While she waited she realized how silly she was being. If she was honest with herself, she had been looking for any reason to dislike George Cliff Adams. He unnerved her like no man ever did before. She was taken by surprise that he was her date. She felt foolish and tricked. On the other hand, his smile, his scent, everything about him caused butterflies in her stomach. It made her wary that he could do both, exasperate and excite her at the same time. She didn’t like the feeling.

True to his word Cliff appeared twenty minutes later. He carried four black Styrofoam trays in his hands. 

“I have your order. Will you at least let me take you home?” he asked.

“Okay,” Brit said with a small smile.

They drove towards her apartment, Brit deep in thought. It really was very thoughtful of him to get her food to go. She had a sudden inspiration.

“Cliff?” she said timidly.

“Hmm?” he asked.