I came to a stop in front of the Casa Mexicano, pausing awkwardly as I glanced around, then at my phone. It was 5:59pm, so I was a minute early, but I didn't see Gwendolyn anywhere. I had spent so much time shopping that I got almost no work done before it was time to show up here, but that could be tomorrow's problem. I glanced down at my outfit, double-checking everything. I had done a lot of internet research, trying to make sure that I found something that said I was into her without screaming desperate.
After a lot of searching, I found a bodysuit that I purchased that seemed to hold my boobs in place when I moved around, which meant no panties and no bra. The sleek black fabric was cool against my skin as I pulled it on, snapping it in place awkwardly as it turned out to be a thong-style bottom, and it made my chest look pretty enormous. I'd paired that with my new denim miniskirt and a pair of retro sneakers. Because the bodysuit had no sleeves and a low cut, I covered up with one of my old red and black plaid flannels, which helped keep the evening's chill away. Wearing the miniskirt was pretty daring, but I figured it covered about as much the gym shorts I'd originally worn, so it was fine. Even if it gave me a thrill every time I moved, worried about the skirt riding up.
I was pleased with my look, and I was excited for Gwendolyn to see it. It's a weird thing to take pride in, but having put together an attractive (if I don't say so myself) outfit for a date felt like a big accomplishment. I glanced at my phone again. 6:01pm and Gwendolyn wasn't here yet. I'm not being stood up, it's okay if she's a few minutes late, I told myself soothingly. And then I started pacing, because that also helps to calm you down, right?
Should I call her? Maybe I should call her? She could have gotten stuck in traffic. 6:04pm. Sweat started pouring down my back and a nervous feeling built in my gut. Was I being stood up? Was this all a prank, did she know that I wasn't really who I said I was? That I was Tim, the computer nerd, only appearing like this because of Fiona's magic? Shit. I should go. This was a bad idea. Dying on a mountainside as a virgin is sounding better and better by the minute. I glanced at my phone one last time. 6:09pm. Yeah, fuck this. I'm out of here.
I turned, and ran face-first into Gwendolyn's breasts as she ran at me, breathing hard. She grabbed me before I bounced off, holding me until I got my balance, then gradually let me take a step back, still holding on to me as I stared up at her in confusion, an absolute torrent of emotions flooding through me on seeing the redhead.
"I am so SO sorry I'm late," she said in a rush once I made eye contact. "I had trouble figuring out what to wear, then hit every red light on the way here, and I was going to text, but I dropped my phone and it slid under my seat, and then I parked and saw you pacing, so I just ran as fast as I could. Forgive me?" She looked so upset, so earnest, that I instantly forgave her. Who would possibly be upset about such a gorgeous woman being a few minutes late to date? No sweat at all.
"It's fine, I just got here," I lied. "If I was worried, I'd have called or texted." I'm really doing a lot of this lying thing, huh? I paused to take in her appearance as she seemed to tower over me. She was wearing black skinny jeans tapering into a pair of heeled boots that gave her even more inches of height over my short frame. An emerald-colored silk camisole framed her cleavage nicely, with a leather bomber jacket covering her shoulders. "You look great!"
She smiled, apparently having bought my lies, and took a moment to study me as well. I could feel her eyes roaming across every inch of me, undressing me, and I squirmed a little. "Very good, Tiffany. Not frumpy from what I can see so far."
I stuck my tongue out, "I told you I could listen to instructions." For some reason, I just wanted to tease this woman, but she laughed and grabbed my arm, hooking it through hers, and walked us into the restaurant, so I guess it worked.
"You listened to all my instructions, right?," she whispered into my ear, and I gulped, nodding as I recalled the cold shower this morning. "Good girl," she purred, holding me as my knees wobbled slightly. The host escorted us to a small table to one side of the restaurant, Gwendolyn stepping ahead of me and holding my chair for me as I sat, before sitting in the adjacent chair. Wasn't I supposed to hold her chair? That seems backwards.
The waiter walked by, handing us a pair of menus, and asked for our drink orders. "Margarita?," Gwendolyn asked me with a raised eyebrow. I'm not sure I'd ever had one before, but sure, I'll try new things with her. I nodded my head and she turned, "Two margaritas, please. And chips and guac?" He nodded and walked off, and Gwendolyn turned those hazel eyes back to me, leaning over and taking my hand in hers. "I know I apologized already, but I could tell you were upset. I'm sorry that I was late. That's unacceptable on a first date."
I tried to wave her away, "It's fine, really. It was only a few minutes, it could have happened to anyone. I'm not upset." She scowled at me, raising that eyebrow again, and I felt like I was under a microscope.
"Really?" I could lie to her. I'd already lied. Was lying. Sure, let's keep up the lies.
"I was a little worried I got stood up," I confessed. Hey, wait, I didn't authorize you to say that! "Just because I have such bad luck with dates." Come on, man. What the fuck, that's not cool. We don't talk like this, spilling our emotions. "But I promise, I'm fine now. You're here and that's all that matters."
She smiled, raising my hand to her lips and gently kissing my knuckles, "I'll make it up to you, I promise." I felt my heart flutter at that one. Did I swoon? I don't think I swooned. Definitely not a swoon. "But let's change the topic to something else. I'd love to hear more about you and your van life. How does that all work?"
Somehow, she managed to get me to open up and start talking. Naturally, I had to change bits of the story here and there, but the large parts were bland enough, and true enough, that I could be honest. I told her about my parents dying when I was in high school, but that I just spent the time focusing on work instead. Suddenly, their loss hit me harder than it ever had, and I felt myself tearing up slightly, thinking about them. What would they think of me now? Would they be happy with me? Seeing all I'd accomplished? The 0.3% increase to shareholder profits and the life without a single person to mourn my death on a mountainside?
Or would they be pleased to see the new path my life was taking? Flipping the table over and starting with something new, looking for love? Somehow, I suspected it would be the latter option that pleased them more - and that made me happy. I realized I'd trailed off, lost in my own thoughts, and Gwendolyn squeezed my hand comfortingly, "It's okay, babe. You don't need to talk about them if you don't want to."
I squeezed her hand back, "No, it's fine. I think I'm finally, after all these years, processing it in a new way. A better way. For years, the only things that mattered to me were earning money and riding my bike. The harder the coding task, the more challenging the trail, the better. Just push, push, push."
"So what changed?," she asked gently. Well, I died, I very explicitly did not say. And then I got turned into a woman, I also did not say.
"I had a bit of a revelation when I was out biking a few days ago," I confessed. This was close enough to true. "You could almost say it was like being reborn. My life up to that moment needed to change, I wanted to try something new. And then I walked into that REI and met you." I met her gaze, her hazel eyes staring into my blue ones, and someone must have been cutting onions nearby because suddenly things got watery again and I realized I was tearing up, and Gwendolyn was handing me a napkin to dab my eyes with, and I'm such a mess. "I'm sorry," I said, "I don't know why I'm so emotional right now."
She grinned, still clinging to my hand, "Truth sometimes hits you like that, and it sounds like a lot of things needed to be said." I mean, it was mostly true. So I guess she was right.
"What's your story?," I asked, trying to shift the focus away from me for a little bit, at least until I could get myself under control again.
Gwendolyn explained that she had grown up in Bend, was a few years older than me, the only daughter with three older brothers, and spent most of her life outdoors. She preferred trail running to mountain biking, but was an avid snowboarder during the winter months. Many relationships, both men and women, sometimes multiple at the same time, but it always seemed to be with everyone in the loop and having a good time. Gwendolyn kept it a little light on the details, but that was fine, I didn't actually want to hear about any of her exes. She seemed to be a genuinely nice woman, although obviously a bit of a free spirit. And now, she was focused on me.
By the time she was done with her story, I glanced down to realize that we'd both had a pair of margaritas and our entire dinner was consumed as I finished the last of my shrimp tacos. It had been a little difficult to eat holding Gwendolyn's hand, but I don't think I went more than about thirty seconds without her holding my hand the entire meal. I am definitely in trouble, I thought to myself. I have it bad for her.
The waiter strode by again and Gwendolyn reached out, passing her credit card over. "No, wait, I can pay," I protested. That's my job, after all. The guy pays on the date. "At least let me go half."
Gwendolyn smirked and shook her head, "Not a chance, but I'll let you make it up to me. Ready for the next stop?"
Gulping as she pulled me to my feet, I stared up at the redheaded mischief maker and nodded. "Where are we going next?"
"Dancing," she said with a big smile. Fuck me sideways with a broomstick. I've never danced in my life.