There was a heavy pause. “I guess since I know where you work and have met you before, I can meet you at your place.”
“Should I text you the address or just give it to you?”
“A text would be fine. So do I need to bring or wear anything in particular?”
“Not really. Wear what makes you comfortable and bring your smile.” Aud was sure his own smile was broad enough to be heard in his voice.
“I think that will be easy enough. We can decide where to eat when I get there.”
“Sounds good.” Aud almost offered to cook but decided to put that off until they had a second date. If they had a second date.
“What time, then? I normally get out at five, but sometimes get trapped on a… by a customer.” For a moment it sounded like he was embarrassed by his job.
“So will six thirty give you enough time?”
“Yeah. If nothing else, I can text you if I’m going to be a few minutes late.”
“That’d be fine.”
“Okay. Well, I guess I should be going. You’re probably busy.”
“Not really.” Maybe we can keep talking and I can get to know him a little bit more.
“Oh.” Leo sounded confused. “Well, I still need to go get something to eat. But I’ll see you Friday. Don’t forget to text me the address.”
“I won’t. Thanks for calling, Leo. I think we’re going to have fun.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right. Felix keeps telling me I need to try new things.”
“New things can be very interesting.”
“Yeah. I think you’re interesting. Okay. I’m going to go eat now. See you Friday.”
“Friday. Good night, Leo.”
“Good night, Aud.”
Aud stared at the phone for a moment as the call ended and the screen eventually went black. He sounded so cute and insecure. There were a few clues in there that say he’s probably gay and interested. I hope so. With a heavy sigh, Aud got off the couch and began cleaning, first the dishes and then the rest of his apartment in preparation for Leo’s visit.
5
LEO COMBED his hair and forced himself out of the bathroom. His phone jingled with Julie’s ringtone. He answered it. “What? I’m trying to get out the door.”
“You know, you only get snippy when you’re nervous. Just relax. Everything’s going to go great. I have lots of confidence in you.”
“Thanks.” He turned off the lights as he headed out of his apartment. Sofi, his brown tabby cat, jumped up on the back of the couch and demanded attention. She pushed against him, and when he didn’t immediately respond, patted his arm with a soft paw. Leo petted her for a second while he waited for Julie to get to the point of her call.
“I just wanted to tell you to relax and let the evening happen as it will. Aud’s sexy and all, but if he’s an ass, don’t worry about just walking out.”
“Is this supposed to be a pep talk?” Leo rubbed Sofi’s ear.
“You know me. I pep where I can.”
“I need to get going. I’m just thankful I got out of work on time so I won’t be late. It’s just a sitting and not a date, but I want to make a good impression.”
She snickered on the other end of the connection. “Yeah. Call it what you want. Dinner and entertainment. It’s a date.”
“Whatever. Is there anything else?”
“Nope. Just go have fun.”
“I will.”
“Felix and I will be over in the morning at eleven for brunch. You even get to pick the location. See you then.”
Before he could respond, she was gone. He stared at the phone for a second before setting it on vibrate. After giving Sofi a final pet, Leo headed out for his sitting with Aud.
THE HU Hot was busy, but they only had to wait a few minutes before a table opened up. Aud looked casual and sexy in his tight black jeans and blue button-up shirt that was nearly the same color as his eyes. The shirt was open at the collar and showed a hint of blond hair on Aud’s broad chest. Leo kept wanting to stare into Aud’s rugged face but forced himself to look at other things, including his Mongolian meal.
“I hope this is enough,” Aud said. “I figured laid-back was better, and I love this place.”
“Yeah, we come here from time to time.” Leo swallowed. He didn’t bother saying it was for special occasions since it was a little more than he could normally afford for a meal, but if Aud had picked anything more, it would’ve made him feel uncomfortable. He wasn’t used to extravagant eating. Village Inn was normally a good night out for him and his friends.
“So help me get a feeling of what I want to do with you,” Aud said, then blushed slightly. “Sorry. That didn’t come out the way I planned it to.”
“I guess you mean with the sketching,” Leo replied as he speared a piece of broccoli with his fork. So far Aud had acted as nervous as he was. Overall it helped him relax a bit more.
“Exactly. Like I said on the phone the other night, the better I know you, the better I can draw you. I want to capture the real you.”
“What kinds of things do you want to know?”