“Such a shame,” I lied, glad that the next person was already waiting to sit down. My relief was short lived.
I stared at the woman across, surprised to see her. “You.”
“Hi! Lisa, was it? From the festival! I’m Julie.”
“I remember.”
“So funny that you’re here too. I didn’t realise you were… into women,” she chatted as she sat down opposite of me.
“Well, I am.”
“I would hope so. Otherwise you’re in the wrong place.” She sipped from the metal straw in her cocktail and shot me a beaming smile. “So. Where are you from?”
“Around here somewhere,” I muttered. I really wasn’t interested in dating the competition, especially not someone that liked fancy and complicated juices. Or worse, put vegetables in smoothies.
“How old are you?” Julie continued.
“Old enough.”
“What do you like to do?”
“Things.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Are you always this hostile?”
I faltered for just a moment. “Excuse me?”
“Look, you might be a really nice person, but right now, you’re not being a very good blind date.”
“That’s because you don’t know me,” I defended myself. What an awful accusation.
“I’m trying to get to know you.”
“I don’t fraternise with the enemy.”
The flickering candle on top of an empty glass bottle set a cosy atmosphere that really contrasted the tension hanging between us. Even if the whole place was set up for romance, I just wasn’t feeling it. Especially not with Julie.
“Enemy?” She laughed as she played with her red hair. “What makes me the enemy?”
“We’re in the same business. The festival really isn’t big enough for two juice stalls and you’re luring people with your flashy banner and Cherry berry Blasts or whatever,” I scoffed, not managing to keep the bitter tone out of my voice.
“Bingo.”
“What?”
Mischief sparkled in Julie’s eyes. “Cherry Berry Bingo. Although Cherry Berry Blast has a good ring to it.”
“So you have no problem dating the enemy?”
“Oh, come on, it’s just some friendly competitions.”
“Friendly competition?”
“Yes. So when was your last relationship?” she asked, pretending like nothing was going on.
I glanced around, trying to spot Quinn or Olivia. This probably didn’t count as inappropriate behaviour but I just didn’t want to chat to the woman that was directly affecting my profit.
When I couldn’t get hold of either, I sighed. “Are we really doing this?”
“It’s a dating event, isn’t it?” She rolled her eyes slightly. “Anyway, you only have to put up with me for… three more minutes.”
“Fine.” Not wanting to be the one to ruin the night or start drama, I figured I’d just go along. “My last relationship ended a year ago. Yours?”
“About two years ago.”
“What happened?”
Julie chuckled. “Is that really what you want to talk about on our first date?”
“You brought it up.”
“What’s your favourite fruit?” she asked, ignoring me.
“Strawberry.”
“You?”
“Tomato.” She laughed at my expression. “I’m kidding. I like oranges. My grandpa owned an orange orchard and we used to visit all the times when we were kids. Now I only get down there once or twice a year, but I never miss the prime season.”
“I love orange orchards,” I admitted reluctantly. “I think they’re my second favourite fruit.”
“Great second choice.” Julie smiled. “I just love the smell and the way the juice explodes in your mouth.”
“The tangy sweetness. There’s nothing like it. When I was in high school, we took a trip to an orchard and got to see these fresh oranges. That’s where I fell in love with it all.”
“Is that why you got in the juice business?”
“Partially. I was also tired of paying a fortune for juice at the gym.”
“And now you make other people pay you a fortune,” she joked. “I’m kidding, your prices are actually really reasonable. Especially for the quality. I really enjoyed that exotic smoothie earlier.”
“I really enjoyed your Cherry Berry Blast,” I teased.
She chuckled. “Bingo.”
“Cherry Berry Bingo,” I repeated, finding myself smiling. “Now your Cucumber Fresh… While it was tasty, I just don’t believe in vegetables in smoothies.”
Julie’s lips tugged up in a grin. “Oh, you’re one of those people.”
“What people?”
“Vegetable deniers.”
Before I could argue more, the bell rang and cut the conversation short. To my surprise, I was reluctant to move away from Julie and wanted to talk more to her. Even if it was to continue the debate about vegetables, I had to admit… She was fun. What was wrong with me?
Chapter 4
While there was technically nothing wrong with the next set of dates, I found myself glancing at Julie and trying to figure out whether she was having a good time with her current date or not. From the laughter, it looked like she was hitting it off with pretty much everyone but she seemed like a pleasant person in general. It was probably just that.
Only particularly interested in the other woman across the table, I mostly nodded and hummed in response, only listening with half an ear.
“Lisa?”
Hearing my name snapped me out of my thoughts and the staring at Julie. “Yes?”
I looked up to an expectant face, probably waiting for an answer to a question I didn’t hear.
Pretending it was the music, I cupped my ear. “Sorry, what did you ask?”
“What your idea of a perfect date is,” the woman repeated. “I love a good old fashioned dinner with a movie.”
“Oh, umm… A walk through an orchard,” I said, thinking back to Julie. I wouldn’t mind taking a stroll through an orange groove with her.
“That sounds fun, although I don’t really eat fruit.”
I stared at my current date. “Sorry?”
“I don’t like many vegetables either, especially the green ones.”
“O-kay… So what kind of dinner are you having on your perfect date?”
“Oh, like steak and potatoes or something meat-heavy. Lots of gravy, cream, butter. I know it’s bad for me but I’ll deal with that when I’m old,” she laughed.
I wasn’t very sad when the bell rang again and the meat-lover had to move on. While I had no problem with the occasional grease fest, I just couldn’t imagine being with someone that didn’t like vegetables. Or worse, fruit.
Bored, I waited for the next woman to show up but it looked like we were finished with the first round. Olivia and Quinn announced a small break before we had our second five minutes and I was more than happy to take a breather.
I ordered myself another wine at the bar, enjoying the slight tipsiness the alcohol was providing. It was nice to let my hair down and be out, even if this whole speed dating thing was a little tedious and not paying off. So far, I hadn’t met anyone that caught my interest.
Well…
I glanced at the other side of the bar where Julie was chatting to the cat-lady. A slight twinge of jealousy shot through my chest and I decided to take my glass outside to get some fresh air.
At the door, the bouncer made me transfer my wine into a plastic cup before he let me out. With my drink in hand, I leaned against the front of Rainbow Central, taking in the night.
The bar was located close near the market where the festival was held and from here, I could almost see my stall. Midnight was only a couple of hours away so I should be able to catch enough sleep for what would hopefully be a better day tomorrow.
“Beautiful sky, isn’t it?” a voice said to me.
I turned around and found myself looking a
t the redhead that had taken over my thoughts. “Hey, Julie.”
“What are you doing out here? It’s cold.”
“I wanted some fresh air. And if I’m honest, a break from the ladies.”
The redhead chuckled. “Nobody that caught your eye so far?”
“Not really. I just don’t click easily with people. Most of my friends are people I’ve known for years from school or something.”
“Ahh, close proximity. No choice but to make friends,” Julie teased.
I shot her a slightly envious look. “Laugh. You’re lucky you’re one of life’s pleasant people. Everyone likes you.”
“Ah, everyone but you, apparently.”
Her quip broke some of my frustration and I released a chuckle. “Apparently.”
“Shall we go back inside? I think the break is almost over.”
I groaned. “Do I have to?”
Julie laughed as she pulled on my arms and peeled me away from the window. “Yes! You never know, maybe Lindsay will turn out to be the one after all.”
“Who is Lindsay?”
“The girl that has all the cats. Didn’t she mention them to you?”
I snorted inappropriately loud. “Oh, she mentioned them. It’s not that I don’t like cats, it’s not what I want to talk about on a first date.”
“What do you talk about on a first date? Let me guess, oranges,” Julie joked.
She seemed in a very playful mood and I wondered if that was just her nature or if she was getting a kick out of teasing me. Maybe a little bit of both.
Surprisingly, I didn’t seem to mind. In fact, it was fun to be around someone so lighthearted. Even if she was the enemy. Well… competition. And it wasn’t like nobody ever got in bed with their competitor. In fact, it would be nice to spend time with someone that understood my passion for healthy juices and my love for fruit.
Except she loved embellishing and fancy names and vegetables in her smoothies. But those were just details…
Damn, I was starting to think like Erin. If she knew I was even considering it, she’d have a field day.
With a new drink in hand, Julie and I joined the other women for the second round. Small cliques had formed and there were a handful of pairs scattered around the sectioned area. Maybe the speed dating was a success for the others then.
I glanced at the redhead standing rather close to me. Well…
“I have to go to my place over there,” Julie announced, gesturing to a seat a couple of tables ahead of mine. “I’ll guess I’ll see you in a turn or two.”
“I look forward to it,” I replied before I could stop myself.
Julie’s eyes sparkled. “So you are having fun. Is it my endless charm that’s doing it for you?”
I knew she was joking but she was undeniably charming.
“Just get to your table,” I teased, giving her a gentle push.
“Alright, alright. No need to get violent with me,” she joked, never taking her eyes off of me as she walked to her table.
She almost bumped into cat-lady and knocked off a drink, turning her smooth departure into an awkward but funny stumble. Still, I had to admit. It was charming.
With a smile stretching from ear to ear, I sat down at my designated table and tuned out the other woman, not able to keep my eye off of Julie. I didn’t intend to be so tunnel-visioned and ignore the others, but I just wasn’t done talking to her.
Every now and then, no matter who she was talking to, she glanced at me and we shared a smile. My chest fluttered with a lightness that I hadn’t felt in a long time.
Could it really be this simple?
After years of fighting and making-up with the devil, after leaving with a broken heart with all the love sapped out of it, could it be this simple to find something new?
I scoffed at my own naivety.
“Excuse me?” the woman across said, glaring at me.
Shit, I did that outloud. What did she think I was disagreeing with?
“So you don’t think animals have a right to be slaughtered humanely? Wow. Wow!”
“No, I wasn’t disagreeing with you! I believe in—”
“I just can’t even,” the woman interrupted, not letting me defend myself. She rose from her seat and waved at the front where Quinn was supervising the whole thing. “Excuse me? I want to report Lisa for hate speech.”
“But I didn’t say anything hateful!” I protested, my ears burning red when more heads turned towards us and the spectacle.
“You scoffed when I said that I don’t eat veal or lamb and you were smiling when I described how pigs get slaughtered. That’s so, like, cruel of you.”
“I… I wasn’t smiling at the pigs, I was smiling at her,” I admitted, gesturing to Julie. “I promise I’m not pro animal cruelty. I don’t even eat eggs from caged hens. This is all a mistake. I—”
“Ladies, let’s not disturb the others,” Quinn ordered, pulling us over to the bar. “Listen, everyone is entitled to their own opinions but we don’t tolerate hate speech here.”
“It was just a misunderstanding,” I quickly said. “I promise I’m not pro animal cruelty.”
“It sounded like it,” the other woman scoffed.
“I’m sorry, it’s not what I meant.”
Quinn hummed as she tapped her chin. “Perhaps we’ll just speed up the rotation, hmm? Would that be okay for you, Larissa?”
The other woman huffed. “Fine.”
She stormed off, leaving me with a bewildered and exhausted Quinn. She looked at me. “You aren’t actually pro animal cruelty, are you?”
“NO! Truth be told, I wasn’t really listening. I… I was making eyes at someone,” I admitted begrudgingly. It didn’t make me sound good but I’d rather be inconsiderate than be accused of much worse things.
“Ahhh. I see.” Quinn nodded as she rang the bell to indicate the round was over.
The room set in motion like a badly coordinated dance. People stumbled into others as they tried to make sure they were sitting with the right person next. Now that I wasn’t part of the shuffling, I could enjoy the comical sight.
I waited until everyone had found their seats before I took place on the only empty chair in the room. I was met with a charming smile and my ears burned red. Of course, it had to be my turn with Julie.
Chapter 5
The redhead’s eyes twinkled mischievously as she folded her hands under her chin and leaned forward. “So… pro animal cruelty? Aren’t you a catch.”
“You heard that, huh?”
“I think everyone heard that,” she teased.
“It’s a good thing I have an early morning, otherwise I could have got hammered and I might have forgotten this humiliating event,” I replied, the self-deprecation rolling off my tongue with ease.
Julie laughed. “Oh, don’t you worry. You have me to help you remember tomorrow. Would you like the humiliation over a cup of coffee or tea?”
“Tea. I can’t stand coffee.”
“Animal and coffee hater? My, you’ve got some controversial opinions. I usually keep those for the third date but since we’re being honest, I steal from the elderly and I believe the earth is flat,” she joked.
I snorted and some wine shot up my nose. The liquid stung and travelled down my throat, making me choke on it. Caught in a coughing fit, I dove under the wooden table to avoid spraying my date with my germs.
A soothing hand rubbed over my back and I looked up to find Julie standing next to me, helping me not choke. The way she drew circles was soothing and the reassuring motion made me realise how much I enjoyed her touch.
Damn, this was not how this was supposed to go.
I sat up and shot her a smile. “I’m okay now.”
“You sure?” she asked, concern wrinkling her forehead. She pushed a lock of red hair behind her ear before she gingerly touched my face.
The sudden intimacy started a burn behind my ears that travelled down my neck. As much as I could say I didn’t want a
nything to do with my competition, it was clear another part of me didn’t care about my objections. I wasn’t even sure what it was about Julie that drew me to her like a moth to flame.
I cleared my throat and smiled. “I’m alright. Promise.”
“Good.” She lingered briefly, her thumb brushing down my cheek before she retreated and sat back down. “I’d much rather you didn’t die during this date.”
“Thanks.”
She took a sip from her drink and winked at me from over the rim. “Although. Less competition tomorrow.”
“Wow. You need me to die so you can sell more of your… Cherry Berry Blasts? Not much faith in your product, then,” I teased.
“Bingo.”
“Right, Bingo.” I leaned forward, drawn in by the woman across me. “Okay, I have to ask. Why is it called Cherry Berry Bingo?”
“Do you really want to know?” Julie put her drink on a cardboard coaster and trailed her fingers down the glass, leaving streaks in the condensation. “The story is a little… Well, some people might think it’s a little crass.”
“Now I’m even more curious.”
“Alright, so you know how sometimes women’s…” Julie lowered her voice. “Breasts… get compared to fruit, right?”
I nodded.
She chuckled, her laugh slightly hoarse and sexy. “Well… On a particular drunk occasion with my friends, we came up with Fruit Boob Bingo. We had a list of all kinds of fruit and if you saw a woman with a matching set, you got to cross it off. The rest is just regular Bingo.”
I couldn’t hold back my laugh. “That’s awful.”
“I know. We’re awful when we’re drunk.”
“So out of curiosity, what kind of fruit was on the list?” I inquired.
“Well, obviously melons. Oranges. Apples. Pears. Cherries.”
“Ouch.”
Julie clicked her tongue. “Hey, don’t underestimate the power of cherries. It’s all about the nipples anyway.”
I thought about her statement and found myself nodding in agreement. “Alright, that’s fair.”
“Well, I’m having fun,” Julie declared. “Maybe you’d want to do this again?”
Eat Your Heart Out: A Romance Charity Anthology Page 49
