Chapter 31: Second First Date

Meeting Jason was really happening. Only fifteen minutes had passed, since I agreed to meet up with him.

I continued walking and was getting closer to our meeting spot. My palms started sweating. I had to calm down. This was just a casual meeting with him. We were just two exes catching up and nothing more.

Why did I agree to this? I was beginning to get stressed out. I should’ve turned him down, but that would've been rude. He had asked me so politely. It wasn’t as if I would do this again.

I hesitated as I got about a block away from the café that Jason wanted to meet up at. My heart was pounding as I thought about being around him. We hadn’t been alone in so long.

Was it too late to back out? I couldn’t run away. He was waiting for me. Jason had texted me to say he was already there sitting at a table. Standing him up would be very rude.

I took a deep breath and stepped inside the café. It was one that was more of my taste, since they were more comfortable and relaxed than fancy restaurants.

The café was in a French style, and had a name that sounded like it was from that romantic language. Inside, there was an Eiffel tower painting on the one wall, and the tables were simple black ones. This place also had the workers wear berets and had a nice bakery selection encased behind a glass pane.

It didn’t take long before I spotted Jason sitting at a table near the back. I walked up to him slowly and waved.
Jason waved back and got up to pull out my chair for me. I sat down and he pushed it in for me.

He had become more of a gentleman after we stopped dating. I couldn’t believe the change in him in just a few years. Was he trying to just impress me?

I had to be careful and not let my guard down. I wasn’t sure what Jason was playing at by meeting up with me. He hadn’t tried to do this before.

Jason picked up his menu and started looking through it while I did the same. The menu had cursive and was in a simple white color. There were only a few items to order for lunch but they all sounded so good.

What would I order? This was definitely something I could afford, as I noticed all of the prices. I did have my wallet with me.

Dax actually had given me some money before I went out. He left it with a note that was sweet. But I didn’t need to think about Dax while I was with Jason. I pushed him from my mind.

Jason looked extra handsome today with his hair styled really neatly. It was even a little bit spiky looking, which suited him well. He even had a nice dress shirt on that complimented his eyes.

When we were left alone again, Jason gave me a look of admiration.

Jason said, “I’m so happy you agreed to come here with me.”

His words stirred something inside me. They weren’t strong feelings but made me wonder about his true intentions for lunch.

“Why’s that?”

He took my hand in his and said, “I’ve been thinking about you a lot these days.”

Oh my God. He was missing being with me. This was what I was afraid of. I knew it wasn’t a good idea to do this kind of thing with Jason.

“I’m really flattered,” I answered casually.

I was just being friendly by agreeing to come to the lunch with him. It was nothing more. Hopefully, I wasn't giving Jason mixed messages by being here with him.

“I’ve been wanting to do this with you since I saw you that day in the store.”

“I’ve been on your mind that long?”

“Yes. You are quite unforgettable, Danica.”

“Do you really think so?”

Jason nodded his head yes and replied, “I’ve always thought you were a really special woman. I regret breaking up with you before. I shouldn’t have let you go.”

Whoa. He thought I was special. His words seemed sincere too. I wasn’t quite sure how to respond but found my words somehow.

“Thank you. That’s very nice to say. I had no idea you thought about me like that.”

I scanned the menu for desserts before putting the menu down. Jason was looking at me intensely. He had to stop. Had he forgotten about his girlfriend? He acted as if he was free to flirt with me.

Jason reached over and placed his hand over mine. I was too stunned to say anything.

He said, “You’ve gotten even more beautiful. I miss seeing you.” He added, “This is nice to be like this again.”

I felt stuck. He was saying words that I used to want to hear but didn’t anymore. Why was he trying to get back together? He was way too late. I was over him.

I wasn’t sure if it was the setting, but it seemed to be lacking. My lunch with Dax had been more of a magical feeling, and we had talked about more meaningful things.

This seemed more like Jason just wanted to get back together in a desperate attempt. Where was he when I was crying for him? He hadn’t wanted me then.

After I snapped out of my thoughts, I was about to tell Jason that I didn’t want to see him again.

I wasn’t going to give him another chance. My heart needed to be protected from a man like him. I didn’t need to go through more heartbreak because of him.

I was about to open my mouth when I noticed someone come into the café. My eyes opened wide in surprise as Dax came storming into the café, heading for our table.