After what felt like an eternity of texting, sending memes, and FaceTiming until the early hours, she was finally going to meet Ryan in person.
Their conversations had always flowed so effortlessly that she often forgot they hadn’t met face-to-face yet. Now, the anticipation was real, and it hit her like a ton of bricks.
She had spent the last week agonizing over every detail, from what she would wear to how she should greet him.
A hug? A handshake? Definitely not a handshake—that would be too formal, right?
Her phone buzzed with a text from Sarah, her best friend, who had been her go-to for all crises.
Sarah: Don’t forget to breathe, Em. It’s just Ryan. You’ve got this!
Emily couldn’t help but smile. Leave it to Sarah to remind her that, at the end of the day, Ryan was just a guy. A really cute, really funny, really easy-to-talk-to guy.
What does one wear on a first date that somehow needs to be casual but also says, “I’m worth all the time you’ve spent texting me”?
After a few minutes of rummaging, she pulled out a red off-the-shoulder dress she had bought on a whim but never had the courage to wear.
“Too much?” she asked aloud, even though the only witness was the stuffed unicorn on her bed.
Deciding to go for it, she paired the dress with her favorite white sneakers—practical, comfortable, and just stylish enough to keep the look from feeling too dressy.
She added a delicate gold necklace and small hoop earrings for a touch of sparkle, then opted for a light makeup look, focusing on a pop of red lipstick to match the dress.
Meanwhile, across town, Ryan was in the middle of his own date prep, which mostly consisted of him pacing around his room, trying to figure out how not to look like he had spent all day thinking about this.
He had settled on a navy blue button-up shirt and dark jeans, figuring it was a safe bet—casual but with a hint of effort.
His roommate, Jake, lounged on the couch, scrolling through his phone. “Dude, you’re gonna wear a hole in the floor if you keep that up. Just chill.”
Ryan stopped mid-pace and frowned. “What if I say something dumb? What if she doesn’t recognize me? What if—”
Jake rolled his eyes. “What if you stop freaking out? You’ve talked to her for months. She likes you, you like her. It’s not rocket science. Just be yourself.”
“Easy for you to say,” Ryan muttered, but he knew Jake was right. He grabbed his jacket and checked his watch—still early.
The plan was to meet at a downtown art gallery, one of those cool, modern places that always had some new exhibit that no one really understood but pretended to.
Afterward, they’d grab a bite to eat at a little bistro Emily had suggested, followed by a visit to a rooftop bar with a view of the city. Simple, classic, but with enough personality to make it memorable.
Emily arrived at the gallery a little early, her heart pounding as she walked through the doors. The space was a mix of polished concrete floors, exposed brick walls, and industrial light fixtures that somehow made the whole place feel both trendy and inviting. She took a moment to steady herself, scanning the room for Ryan.
As if on cue, her phone buzzed. It was a text from Ryan.
Ryan: Just parked. Be there in 2 minutes. Can’t wait to finally see you in person :)
Emily smiled at the screen, her nerves momentarily easing. She wandered over to a colorful abstract painting near the entrance, pretending to be deeply engrossed in it while secretly stealing glances at the door.
And then she saw him.
Ryan walked in, his eyes searching the room until they landed on her. He hesitated for just a second before breaking into a wide grin and making his way over.
He looked even better in person, with tousled brown hair that seemed to have a mind of its own and an easygoing smile that instantly put her at ease.
“Emily,” he said, his voice warm and familiar. “Wow, you look amazing.”
Emily felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “Thanks. You look great too. I love the shirt.”
Ryan laughed, glancing down at himself. “Thanks. I wasn’t sure if it was too much. I was debating between this and my usual hoodie.”
“Hoodies are cool,” Emily replied, her smile widening. “But I think you made the right choice.”
They stood there for a moment, just taking each other in, before Ryan gestured toward the gallery. “Shall we?”
The first exhibit they encountered was a series of large, bold canvases splashed with bright colors and chaotic patterns.
“What do you think this one’s about?” Emily asked, tilting her head as she studied a particularly vibrant piece that seemed to be a tangle of red and yellow streaks.
Ryan scratched his chin thoughtfully, as if he were some kind of art critic. “I’d say it’s about the complexity of human emotions… or maybe the artist just really hates ketchup and mustard.”
Emily burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand. “I’m pretty sure that’s not what they were going for, but I like your interpretation.”
They continued to wander through the gallery, each exhibit sparking a new conversation. One section featured minimalist sculptures—geometric shapes that seemed almost impossibly balanced on tiny pedestals.
Ryan tried to recreate one of them by balancing his phone on a pencil he found in his jacket pocket, much to Emily’s amusement. His phone toppled over, of course, but his playful attempt at art broke the ice even further.
As they made their way to the back of the gallery, they came across an installation that caught both of their attention. It was a room filled with suspended glass orbs of varying sizes.
“Wow,” Emily whispered, stepping into the room and gazing up at the orbs. “This is beautiful.”
Ryan followed her in, taking in the sight with a quiet awe. “It’s like being inside a dream.”
Emily felt a warmth spread through her as she realized just how easy it was to be around Ryan. There were no awkward silences, no forced small talk—just the two of them, enjoying the moment.
Eventually, they made their way out of the gallery and into the cool evening air. Ryan suggested they walk to the bistro, and Emily agreed, happy for the chance to extend their time together.
She also found herself telling Ryan about her passion for art, how she’d always dreamed of opening her own gallery one day—a place where emerging artists could showcase their work without the pressure of fitting into the mainstream.
“That sounds amazing,” Ryan said, genuinely impressed. “I could totally see you doing that. You’ve got the creativity and the drive to make it happen."
“Thanks,” Emily replied, feeling a swell of confidence. “I just hope I can figure out how to make it a reality. It feels like such a big leap.”
“Sometimes you just have to take that leap,” Ryan said, glancing at her with a smile. “I mean, look at us—tonight’s kind of a leap, isn’t it?”
Emily chuckled. “Yeah, I guess it is. But I’m glad we did it.”
“Me too,” Ryan agreed, his tone sincere.
They arrived at the bistro, a quaint little place tucked away on a quiet side street as they sat at a cozy corner table by the window.
Ryan picked up the menu and glanced over at Emily. “So, what’s good here? You’re the expert.”
Emily grinned. “The carbonara is to die for. Seriously, it’s the best thing on the menu.”
“Carbonara it is,” Ryan said, setting his menu down with a decisive nod. “You’ve sold me.”
When the waiter came by, they ordered two plates of carbonara and a bottle of red wine to share. As they waited for their food, the conversation continued to flow effortlessly. Emily learned more about Ryan’s startup adventures—how he’d left a stable corporate job to pursue his passion for technology and innovation.
“It sounds like a wild ride,” Emily said, genuinely impressed by Ryan’s entrepreneurial spirit.
“I can’t imagine taking that kind of risk, but it sounds like it’s paying off.”
Ryan shrugged modestly. “It has its ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. There’s something exhilarating about building something from the ground up, you know?"
Emily nodded, taking a sip of her wine. “I get that. I think that’s part of the appeal of starting my own gallery. It’s scary, but also exciting—like you’re creating something that’s truly yours.”
Ryan smiled. “Exactly. And I think you’ll be amazing at it. You’ve got a great eye for art, and you clearly have the passion. That’s half the battle right there.”
Emily felt a flutter in her chest at his words. It was one thing to dream about her future, but hearing someone else believe in her potential was incredibly encouraging.
Their food arrived, and the conversation paused as they dug into their meals. The carbonara was everything Emily had promised—rich, creamy, and perfectly seasoned.
Ryan’s eyes widened in delight as he took his first bite.“Okay, you weren’t kidding,” he said, his voice full of appreciation. “This is amazing.”
Emily beamed. “I’m glad you like it. It’s my go-to comfort food.”
They continued to chat as they ate, the conversation shifting to lighter topics like their favorite movies, embarrassing childhood stories, and guilty pleasures.
“I can’t cook to save my life,” Emily admitted, laughing. “I once tried to make cookies and somehow set off the smoke alarm. Twice.”
Ryan chuckled. “That’s impressive. Maybe we should stick to restaurants for now.”
“Good idea,” Emily agreed with a grin. As they finished their meal, Ryan glanced out the window at the city lights. “The night’s still young. How about that rooftop bar you mentioned?”
Emily’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t want the evening to end, and the idea of continuing their date under the stars sounded perfect. “I’d love that.”
They paid the bill and headed out into the night, the cool breeze a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the bistro. The rooftop bar was just a short walk away, and as they made their way there, Emily felt a comfortable silence settle between them.
It wasn’t awkward or tense—just the kind of silence that felt natural, like they didn’t need to fill every moment with words.
Just then, a loud, slurred voice broke the silence, pulling Emily and Ryan from their bubble.
“Ryan, darling!” The voice was unmistakably drunk, and as it got closer, Emily noticed the source—an unsteady woman making her way across the rooftop.
The woman was clearly intoxicated, she wobbled towards them, her heels clicking unevenly against the wooden floor of the rooftop.
“Laura?” Ryan said, his tone tinged with surprise and a hint of dread. He stood up straight, stepping slightly in front of Emily as if to shield her from whatever was about to happen.
“Ryan! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Laura slurred, throwing her arms around his neck with a force that nearly toppled both of them over.
Emily sat frozen for a moment, not sure whether to be amused, irritated, or concerned.
“Laura, you’re drunk,” Ryan said gently but firmly, trying to extricate himself from her grip without causing a scene. “Let’s get you home.”
Laura pouted, her hands still gripping his shirt. “But why would I want to leave when you’re right here?” she drawled, her words barely coherent.
Ryan shot an apologetic look at Emily, his eyes pleading for patience. “Emily, I’m so sorry about this. Laura’s an old friend... well, more like an ex. I had no idea she’d show up tonight.”
Emily’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, her initial confusion giving way to an amused smirk. “An ex? Oh, this should be fun.”
Ryan winced at her playful tone, though he could tell she wasn’t truly upset. “It’s not what it looks like, I promise,” he insisted, his voice earnest. “She’s just... having a rough night.”
“I can see that,” Emily said, trying to suppress a laugh as Laura began to sing, her voice warbling off-key. “But I think you should probably get her out of here before she turns this place into a karaoke bar.”
“Good idea,” Ryan muttered. He managed to gently guide Laura towards the exit, but she clung to him like a lifeline, making the process slow and awkward.
As they reached the elevator, Laura turned and gave Emily a bleary-eyed once-over. “Who’s this, Ryan? She’s cute, but I’m cuter, right?” she asked, her voice a mix of drunken confidence and insecurity.
Emily couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. “You’ve got a lot of competition, Laura. But I’ll give you points for persistence.”
Ryan shot her a grateful look, clearly relieved that she was handling the situation with humor. “Laura, let’s get you home. You need some water and a good night’s sleep.”
As the elevator doors closed, leaving Ryan and Laura behind, Emily leaned against the wall, finally allowing herself to laugh. This was definitely not how she had imagined the night going, but it made things more interesting.
A few minutes later, Ryan reappeared, looking slightly disheveled but no worse for wear. “She’s on her way home,” he said, running a hand through his hair with a sigh of relief. “I can’t apologize enough for that. I swear this isn’t how my dates usually go.”
Emily grinned, crossing her arms playfully. “Well, it’s definitely a first for me, too. But hey, at least it wasn’t boring!”
Ryan chuckled, the tension finally starting to melt away. “You’re taking this a lot better than I would’ve expected. Most people would have bailed the moment she showed up.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Emily teased, stepping closer to him. “Besides, it gave me a chance to see how you handle awkward situations. And I’ve got to say, you did pretty well.”
Ryan’s smile widened, and he reached out to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Thanks for sticking around. Can we maybe hit the reset button and pretend that didn’t happen?”
“Only if you buy me another drink,” Emily quipped, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Deal,” Ryan said, leading her back to their spot on the rooftop.
As they settled back into their cozy corner, the interruption by Laura had broken the ice in a way that nothing else could have, and now they were both more at ease, laughing and joking as if they’d known each other for years.
“So,” Emily said, taking a sip of her new drink, “tell me more about this startup of yours. I feel like we were just getting to the good stuff before... well, you know.”
Ryan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Right. Where was I?”
They picked up the conversation where they had left off, talking late into the night. The city lights were starting to dim as they walked back to Emily’s car, their hands brushing together with every step.
"I had an amazing time tonight,” Ryan said, stopping in front of her car. “Despite everything.”
"Me too,” Emily replied, her eyes locking with his. “I can’t wait to see you again.”
Ryan leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a gentle, tentative kiss. Emily felt a warmth spread through her, the promise of something wonderful just beginning.
Merci pour la lecture!
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