Chapter Text
Today was the day. At the age of 21, I, Aria Daniels, was finally about to go on my first real date.
Fucking finally!
Growing up in a religious household, I was always told that you dated when you were ready for marriage. For a while, I firmly believed I would wait until marriage to have my first kiss. I dreamt about how I’d lose my virginity on my wedding night, tenderly and blindly in love. It honestly sounded so romantic to save all my firsts for my one true love.
…. And then I got to college, and that flew out the window.
Hot guys were everywhere and sexual tension was inescapable. I know it’s stupid, but I went from being prude and proud of my virginity to being kind of embarrassed about it. Most of my friends started college as virgins and then began finding guys to get into serious relationships with.
I wanted that. I wanted to date. I wanted at least SOME experience before settling down. And ultimately, I wanted to be in a serious relationship, like several of my friends had found themselves in. Love, marriage, kids, picket fence. Yes, please.
I knew I was at least somewhat attractive. My mother is Jamaican American, and my father is Caucasian. So I have tan skin, bright green/hazel eyes, and dark blonde, very curly hair. I don’t even understand how my hair ended up being blonde when my siblings all have brunette hair, but I’ve been told all my life that it makes me look “exotic”. I can’t stand being called exotic, like I’m a freaking bird or something. But people think it’s a compliment, I guess…
I’m 5’5”, with a medium build that I have to work at to keep in shape. I like to eat, so my flat stomach and thick, toned body is a result of genetics plus many hours at the gym. I sometimes wish I was just naturally skinny, but I’m mostly glad I have curves.
I’ve been hit on many times, but I never really considered dating any of the guys who hit on me. None of them seemed like future husband potential.
Until last week.
I was walking back to my apartment after going to the gym, trying to find a song on my iPhone to listen to, when I ran right into what felt like a wall and fell on my butt.
“Oh shit, I’m so sorry.”
Looking up, I saw a hand stretched out towards me. Confused, I looked up further and found myself staring at the most gorgeous face I’ve ever seen in person.
This man was fine. And he smelled AMAZING. Like a sunny beach at a luxury resort, if that is even a smell. Like the ocean. But a clean, exclusive ocean. An ocean made for me.
He looked like he was maybe Hispanic? Italian? Or maybe biracial like me? He had an olive complexion with dark, short hair, and gorgeous blue-green eyes. High cheekbones, a seriously chiseled jaw, and a little scruff on his face.
I gulped, wide eyed and totally mesmerized, as I took his outstretched hand and allowed him to pull me up.
Good lord this man is tall af. He had to have been at least 6’4”. The men in my family are pretty tall—all at least 6 ft—but compared to this guy, they seemed significantly smaller. His wide, muscular shoulders led to muscular, tattooed arms and large, well-manicured hands.
…One of which was still holding onto my hand.
Suddenly, it was as if we both snapped out of a trance, released hands, and took a step back.
Well that was embarrassing.
“Oh my gosh. I am so sorry I ran into you. I was coming home from the gym and I got bored, so I was trying to find a good song to play. But I definitely should not have been staring at my phone so long. That’s a bad habit of mine, actually. Always looking down at my phone. Thank you for helping me up. I thought I ran into a wall. Haha. You definitely don’t miss chest day at the gym…” I realized I was rambling.
And he was just staring at me, with an unreadable expression on his face.
Seriously awkward. Wtf.
After about 30 seconds of him staring at me in an uncomfortable silence, I mumbled a quick goodbye, and started to move past him.
Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed my arm to stop me. “Do you always walk by yourself, wearing clothes like that?” He asked quietly.
The fuck? ‘Clothes like that’??
Workout clothes?? I was wearing a crop top and shorts, with my black Hoka running shoes. Not the most modest outfit, I guess? But nothing too revealing. It’s 2023, not 1823. And I’m walking in the broad daylight. The gym is only about a 15 minute walk from my apartment.
“Um, yes, actually. I do. What the hell. What a weird question,” I huffed, as I tried to shake his grip off my arm.
I felt his grip tighten, as he narrowed his eyes at me. My heart started to beat faster, as warning signs blared in my mind. “HE’S INSANE! SUPER HOT, BUT BATSHIT CRAZY. SCREAM. RUN.”
Just when I was about to kick him in the balls and make a run for it, he abruptly let go of my arm and shook his head, as if coming out of a daze.
“I am so sorry,” he said, looking adorably embarrassed. “I um. I had a close friend who was abducted a few years ago. She was walking home around this part of town, and she was kidnapped. I just…I’m sorry. I guess I felt like I was seeing her when I saw you? The street cams showed her looking at her phone when someone grabbed her… I probably freaked you out just now. Again, I’m so sorry. Just…please be careful.”
Ok that makes more sense… I guess? This guy sounds pretty traumatized, after what supposedly happened to his poor friend. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like, hearing that one of your best friends was kidnapped. In this part of town, too? I shiver just thinking about it.
“Oh wow. Yeah you kind of scared me a little, I won’t even lie… I was trying to decide if I should scream, or knee you in the nuts and run away.”
I swear I saw an angry glint in his eyes for a split second, but then it was gone.
I wondered if I’d imagined it.
He sheepishly ran his hand on the back of his neck and awkwardly chuckled. “I guess I can’t blame you. That was probably so creepy,” he said ruefully, and I had to agree. We both started to laugh.
Somehow, that seemed to break the ice, and we began chatting. He ended up being really funny and charming! His humor was dry—borderline dark—but we had pretty instant chemistry. I thought the story about his friend—while disturbing—was slightly suspicious, but he really gave me no further reason to believe he was a creep.
I learned that his name was Alessandro DeSantos. Even his name was hot! He was 25, and worked at a corporate office downtown doing Finance or something important-sounding. Maybe he said he owned the business? I swear I tried to pay attention, but honestly, it was hard to concentrate on what he was saying sometimes. He was so insanely gorgeous.
By the end of our chat, we’d exchanged numbers and we were planning to go on a date that Friday!
Just 3 days away. 3 days until my first date! And maybe my first kiss?! Not to be creepy, because I know we just met… but I mean, this could be it!!!! Talk about a romance novel, romantic comedy set up, amiright???
He could be The One. We could be telling this story to our kids someday.
Or it could go really badly…
Who knows.
Either way. I am so, so excited!