Chapter Four
It was early Saturday morning and I showed up at the restaruant at six, we opened at seven. It had been my understanding that someone whould already be there, but when I showed up the place was empty and the door locked. I had not been given a key so I waited outside. A sporty blue mustang convertable came screeching into the parking lot and out stepped Tyler. He was full of appoligies, "Kat, I'm sorry! My brother called this morning and wouldn't stop talking. How long have you been waiting?"
"Only a few minutes, it's really not a problem. I live just down the street."
"Oh," he said opening the door to let us both in. "I'm still really sorry."
"It's quite alright Ty," I replied smiling, "how are you this morning?"
"Just fine. That brother of mine though, he's having girl problems again. Big surprise there."
"I'm sorry. Is he your younger brother then, and looks up to you? I mean, he obviously wants advice and feels he can trust you and get good opinions. Right?"
Ty laughed, "Actually he's four years older than me. But, he's not usually one to rush relationships or end them. But, I guess he met a girl recently that he can't stop thinking about. He's been having problems with his current girlfriend for some time. It's just that he's never been the type to end the relationship. Always the dumpee, understand?"
"Yeah, I guess. Sounds like he's got a lot going on."
"No doubt."
"Well, I'm going to go set up the tables and stuff. Talk to you later." Throughout the day I was eagerly awaiting the end of my work day so I could call Laura and talk to her. My converstaion with Tyler had gotten me paying more and more attention to him. I felt somehow attracted and wanted to know more and more about him. I was hoping that what Laura had said about him liking me would be true. There was just something drawing me to him and he seemed like the type of guy I could eventually marry. Maybe I was getting to into my daydreams, or mabye there just was a connection between the two of us.
I was standing at the front desk, finishing ringing up a costomer when Tyler walked up behind me. "Hey there, how's it going?"
"Good, and how are you?"
"Just fine," he smiled. "So my dear, how do you like working here?"
"It's okay, I do need to consentrate on my studies when school starts though, this is just paying rent right now. Nothing permanent. But, the staff has been friendly to me. And Laura and I are becoming really good friends."
"Oh," he looked dissapointed then smiled again. "Nothing to say about me?" I was no expert at flirting with someone, but I had curiousity as to what exactly he was up to.
"I don't really know you Ty."
"Perfect."
"How so?"
"Let me take you out tonight. Everything on me, I'll pick you up at seven, dress casual, don't eat first and the whole night will be one big surprise. And give us a chance to get to know eachother. What do you say?"
I was overwhelmed by his spontinaity and struck with happiness.
"It's a deal, sound like fun." Before I left for home at three that afternoon I slipped Ty my address and phone number. "See you at seven then, I can't wait Ty." I left and walked toward home, hoping I had not appeared too eager to go on the "date" with him. Michelle was home, but sleeping extreemly too late as usual. I called up Laura as soon as I got in. "Laur, I have a date tonight!!" I think I nearly screamed the news to her over the phone.
"What? With who? Do I know him? Girl, gimmie details!"
I laughed at her eagerness to know. "Yes you know him. It's Tyler, he's picking me up at seven."
"Ohhhhhhhh!" She let out girlish squeaks on the other end of the phone. "What did I tell you Kat? He likes you!"
"Laur, I was thinking today before he asked me out. And I really think I like him. He's so sweet and cute too, you know I love and added bonus!"
"Oh hell yeah! So, where are you going?"
"I have no clue! He said dress casual and don't eat before hand. It's a night of suspense and surprise I guess. But, I'm so nervous. I know it sounds silly but I've never really been on a date." I didn't want to tell her that the closest I had come was my dinner with Josh. Laura didn't even know about Josh, and I hadn't told Sam that I had seen him again. The only one I had told was Dani in all my letters to her.
"Are you serious!? Kat, this is going to be great for you!"
"But Laur, I don't know how to act, what to wear. I have never really had a boy friend and it's all starting so fast now."
"It always does. What time is it?"
"Um...3:30."
"Okay, I'm on my way over, is Sam there?"
"Yes but she's sleeping."
"Well, wake her bootie up and the two of you get ready, we're going shopping." With that she hung up. I walked down the hall to Sam's room and told her about my date, she was really happy for me as well. Her and I put on some jeans and were ready just as Laura knocked on the door.
We left for the mall and set out to look for an outfit for me to wear on my date. The entire time we shopped Sam and Laur gave me tips on how to act, what not to say and what to expect from Tyler. The two of them, with some help from me decided on a knee length light blue skirt with soft pink flowers and a sleeveless white shirt. It had a mid-range V-neck to it, so they both decided that we needed something to make me have cleveage. They bought me a water bra and come strapy white heeled sandals that would put me closer to Tyler's height.
After shopping, the three of us headed back to mine and Sam's apartment. They swept up my hair leaving little curled brunette wisps here and there to fall just barly to my neck. Then, they did my make-up. That subtlness where you get the appearance of "not wearing any" make-up. I got dressed and felt like I was definatly over-doing myself. I mean, Tyler had said "casual".
"Kat, get out here! He's going to be here any minute and we need to approve you first." Laura was getting impatient as was Sam. My only prayers were that I would not make a fool out of myself and that Tyler would like me.
"Coming," I opened my door and walking into the living area. They both looked at me with pleased expressions.
"I love our work Sam, really I do." Laura said lauging.
"You look great Kat! He's going to love you!" With that there was a knock on the door. I ran back to my room to grab my purse and left Sam and Laura to let Tyler in. When I walked back to the living room I saw Tyler standing near the door. He was wearing kaki pants, a white polo shirt and had his sandy hair neatly spiked. He looked great and was holding a single pink rose. His eyes widened when he saw me and he looked very pleased as well.
"Hi." I managed to get out without sounding too nervous.
"Hey." He continued smiling. "You look great. This is for you," he extended the rose and I took it from him, smelling it first then walking to the kitchen to place it in a vase.
"You ready?" I asked, eager to get away from Sam and Laura's stares.
"Sure, bye girls."
"Bye you two," they sang in unision.
Tyler and I walked out to his car and he opened the door for me. After he got in he turned to me again, "You really do look great Kat. Much more that I was expecting."
"Is it too much? Sam and Laur did it."
Ty smiled, "No, it's perfect, don't worry." He started the engine and we headed off for our date. Our first stop was dinner at an outdoor Itallian restaraunt. We talked all through the meal and I felt so much at ease with him. In ways he reminded me of Josh, but I pictured Tyler as more of "boyfriend" material and Josh as the "big-brother" type.
After dinner we went to a club for dancing. Tyler was not quite 21, so neither of us were allowed into drinking clubs anyway. I had a wonderful time dancing with him and I could follow his lead so well. He was not at all upset that I didn't really like to dance to fast songs, and I loved the feel of his strong arms holding me to the slow ones.
We ended our evening with a movie at the theather I had met Josh at. I felt somewhat childish through the movie as Ty and I held hands like high school sweet-hearts. Part of me felt that everything was going by so quickly with me and Tyler. But, then again, I had nothing to mesure it up to. I figured I was having fun and that was all that mattered. If Tyler didn't want another date I wouldn't be crushed, but I'd also be flattered by another one.
He walked me to the door of my apartment still holding onto my hand as if he did not want the night to end. He turned to me at the top of the stairs and put his arms around my waist. "I had a great night Katlyn."
"Me too. Thank you Tyler." I smiled at him and looked into his soft eyes. "Maybe next time we can plan something together, more casual perhaps. I'm really a jeans and T-shirts girl."
"Sounds fine with me." He smiled and before I knew it he leaned down to kiss my lips. It was short and sweet. We opened our eyes and looked at eachother. He smiled at me and pulled away gently. I had never acted this way before, but everything seemed so right. "I'll see you Monday," he said as he turned to go back to his car.
"Alright, thanks again Ty." I waved to him and watched his car pull away. I had to stand outside for a minute collecting my thoughts and trying to relive our kiss. As soon as I walked through the door Sam and Laur shot at me with questions. The three of us stayed up all night as I re-accounted my date with Tyler and we all gossiped about guys.
