Patrick Three: Unexpected Romance

"And is this your card?"

"Oh my god, yes! That's amazing!"

I grinned at the cute girl standing in front of me outside the grocery store. I had been doing some small tricks for tips, as I often did when I wanted some fresh air. My aversion to going outside had passed somewhat as I grew up, and now at the age of twenty-two, my fear of being kidnapped had long since subsided. I still didn't love the outdoors, but it was tolerable, and I found that I did enjoy the sunshine. I packed up my cards, putting them in the box and then into my back pocket. The girl was still there, even though the rest of the crowd had dissipated.

I looked at her blonde hair and casual outfit, feeling an attraction to her that surprised me. Up until now, I hadn't really wanted to date anyone, choosing to just have the occasional one night stand, but this cute girl was different. I remember thinking Ephemera was pretty, but the way she treated me left me disliking her. This girl, though, with her blue eyes and enthusiasm for my mini show made me feel like she appreciated what I had to offer. I thought I'd take a chance and ask her out.

"Um, sorry if this is really forward, but do you want to grab a coffee with me? I mean, that is, if you drink coffee?"

The girl tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled shyly at me. I was hoping she would say yes. 

"Yeah, I'd love to. My name is Katya."

"Katya. That's really pretty. Just like you."

Katya blushed a bright pink, and touched my arm. I smiled to myself. Even though I didn't flirt very often, I always had a lot of fun doing it... I guess I got it from my dad. I meant what I said though, I did think Katya was pretty with her cute blonde hair loosely tied in front of her chest, and her laid-back brightly colored outfit. She reminded me of a surfer girl, and I guessed that she probably grew up on the beach.

"Awesome. Do you want to walk there? It's nice out."

"Yeah, sure."

"Do you surf, Katya? You have a little bit of a tan."

Using my peripheral vision, I saw Katya blush, look at me, and then smile.

"Yes, actually, I do. I grew up by the beach, and was always in love with the ocean. You're very perceptive, Patrick."

I grinned, enjoying that I was able to flatter Katya while impressing her at the same time.

The rest of our short walk to the coffeehouse was spent joyfully talking to each other, mostly about the beach and how we both enjoyed growing up in Silicon Shores. When we arrived at the coffeehouse, I stopped at the bottom of the steps before going in.

"Ladies first."

I smiled at Katya, while gesturing for her to climb up the stairs. Then I followed close behind her and reached for the door handle just as she got to the door, opening it for her.

"Thank you, Patrick, you are quite the gentleman."

Once inside, we order our drinks, her a skinny cinnamon dulce, and I a caramel macchiato. The cashier asks if we are paying separately or together, and Katya reaches to pull our her wallet, but I stop her. I tell the cashier together, and hand him some cash. Katya smiles and plays with a strand of her hair. I can't help but think she's adorable. We wait for our coffees and when they're done, we find a place to sit at one of the tables, sitting across from each other.

"Thank you for the coffee, Patrick."

"You're welcome. Thanks for coming here with me."

Katya has her arms in front of her on the table, and she's staring at me with a cute smile on her face. I'm taking note of how often she's been smiling at me since I started talking to her and it's been quite a few. I'm delighted that she is having a good time.

"What else should I know about the mysterious Patrick Hunt?"

"What else do you want to know?"

"How many girlfriends have you had?"

Katya's question catches me a little bit off guard, but I have no doubts that I want to answer it truthfully. 

"None. I haven't really gotten serious with anyone... ever."

"Is there a reason for that?"

"No one's really made me want to spend huge amounts of time with them."

I look over to the left, feeling a little like she's interrogating me. Calm down, Patrick, she probably just wants to know if you're good for a second date. I end up thinking that I don't really know why I never asked any of the girls I took home with me to be my girlfriend. Did I just not want a girlfriend because I was afraid of having a relationship that turned out like Uncle Dustin's? I liked Katya enough to hang out with her and talk, but I didn't want to freak her out with such deep personal information about me. It was confusing me that she would ask such a serious question at this time. Wasn't this just coffee?

"I'm sorry, Patrick, I've made you uncomfortable. Sometimes I'm awkward when I talk to guys. I only ever grew up with sisters, and they were always telling me of their many problems with their boyfriends, so I didn't start dating till I was in my late teens. It's made me want to know stuff like that about a potential guy before I get too serious."

"Um, it's okay, Katya. I understand you wanting to be cautious about relationships. I do too... want to be cautious about relationships, that is."

We finish drinking our coffee, walk out of the coffeehouse, and now I'm unsure what to do. On the occasions when I did pick up a girl, we'd usually go to my place, have sex, and then she'd leave in the morning. I didn't want to do that to Katya, however.

"Katya, do you want me to take you to your house? Like walk you home, or hail you a cab or something?"

"You said you have a beach house too, right?"

"Yes."

"Our houses are probably close to each other then, we can share a cab and then go for a walk on the beach, if you want to hang out with me some more, that is, I mean, I'm sorry I made things awkward, I wouldn't blame you if you just wanted to be rid of me."

Katya's words jumbled together and she spoke at double speed, looking back and forth from me to the sidewalk as if she didn't think I wanted her to look at me anymore. She nervously twisted a strand of her hair around her finger, and I felt like it was something she did when she was unsure of herself. I could tell she had embarrassed herself, but I didn't think she should be thrown to the side because of it. I put my hand on her shoulder and smiled to let her know I didn't want to 'be rid of her.'

"I'd love to go for another walk with you."

We share a cab and I make a mental note to pick my car up from the grocery store where I left it this afternoon. As we get closer to the beach, Katya leans into my shoulder in the cab, snuggling against me. 

Once we're at the beach, I realize I do love the cool breeze as it gently blows across my skin. If I walk close enough to the shore I can sometimes feel water droplets hit my skin as they're picked up by the breeze. I'm very glad I moved to the beach. I prefer it to the hustle and bustle of downtown Silicon Shores. It's fine for work if I have to go downtown, but I very much enjoy the serenity of living by the water front. I feel Katya's hand as she intertwines her fingers through mine and we continue walking.

We follow the sand until it meets up to a path atop a small hill, and arrive at a large, modern looking house with fountains along the front walk. Katya stops walking and smiles.

"Okay, this is me."

"Good night, beautiful Katya. We can do this again if you'd like."

Katya stands in front of me, close enough to me that I could kiss her, but I'm trying to gauge her expression and if she even wants that. She puts her hands on my chest and looks into my eyes.

"I'd love to go on a second date with you, handsome Patrick."

After she says my name and calls me handsome, she remains standing there in front of me, unmoving. She leans her forehead against mine and breathes quietly, waiting. I bring my arms up around the small of her back and pull her to me.

Then I kiss her.