Bash is . . . nice. No, really—he is. His smooth brown skin went well with his dark blue suit, though he looked like a skeleton in it. But his personality—well, it screamed manchild, and I wasn't sure I liked that. He'd practically been hopping since I showed up. Our split meal left me hungry since he devoured nearly everything in sight. But at least his looks are decent, and he certainly looked the part of the "great journalist" he claimed to be on Instagram with his studious glasses.
"So, where to next?"
My smile faltered.
Next?
I thought this was the end. It wasn't that I didn't enjoy hearing about the world of journalism—it was just that I was too tired to keep up.
"Well . . . I was actually thinking of heading home."
"Oh. You're very beautiful, you know. I'm surprised a girl like you accepted a date with a nerd like me."
I held up my hands.
"No, you look very nice. I've just been up since yesterday and haven't gotten a nap in."
"Oh, that makes sense," he said, blushing. "I thought it was me."
"No, definitely not. Sorry if I made you feel that way. Maybe next Saturday?"
That pleased him. He pushed up his glasses with a smile. After he ordered dessert, the bill came—and to my surprise, he suggested splitting it.
"Don't worry, Marcie. I'm a man who keeps up with the trends. Women like splitting bills to feel appreciated. I'm a feminist myself, you know."
"Oh . . . really," I said, sinking back in embarrassment—for my kind.
Who the hell likes splitting bills to feel in control?
I couldn't help comparing my two "dates" from today. I didn't want to, but little things pulled me back: flowers a man gave his date at the next table that resembled the ones at the Getty and even the quiet ambiance of that morning compared to the chaos here due to happy hour.
Bash didn't notice my silence. He was too busy telling stories of the crazy things he'd witnessed on the job, barely aware of me trailing behind. I thought about ducking into a shop for coffee, but when I finally made it home—whenever that would be—I knew I needed to collapse straight into bed.