Chapter Two

Lydia was hanging dresses back on the rack, wincing as her feet throbbed from hours in high heels. Sighing in relief, she slipped her feet out for a moment, wiggling her toes just as her coworker, Betty, walked up.

“Are you not going for lunch? It’s already lunchtime,” Betty asked, glancing at her watch.

Lydia looked up with a tired smile. “I know, I was just finishing up with these dresses. But I’m done now, so let’s go!” She stretched her legs and slipped back into her heels. “Where are we headed?”

Betty’s face lit up, and she practically bounced in excitement, startling Lydia.

Lydia laughed. “What’s got you so excited?”

“Do you remember the boyfriend I told you about?” Betty asked with a mischievous grin.

Lydia nodded. “Yeah, of course.”

Betty leaned in, her excitement bubbling over. “Well, he works at this famous restaurant that’s super popular with, you know, the rich crowd.”

Lydia’s eyebrows rose with interest as Betty paused for effect. “Go on…”

“So,” Betty continued, unable to hold back a big grin, “he told me that anytime I want to come by for lunch, I can bring a friend!”

Lydia’s face broke into a smile, eyes widening. “Really? That sounds amazing!”

Without another word, she grabbed Betty by the arm, her tiredness forgotten. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

Laughing, the two of them hurried toward the exit, giddy at the thought of a delicious, fancy lunch far from the usual sandwich shop around the corner.

~

Scott stepped out of the car, the door swinging shut behind him as Lucas, his ever-dutiful secretary, held it open. The cool air of the city hit him, but it did little to ease the apprehension swirling in his stomach. With a reluctant expression, he shoved both hands into the pockets of his tailored trousers, trying to project a facade of confidence. He licked his lips, a nervous habit he couldn’t quite shake, and let out a heavy sigh. “I’m gonna regret this,” he muttered to himself.

Lucas, oblivious to his boss’s inner turmoil, gestured toward the entrance of the upscale restaurant. “All the blind dates are waiting at the table, sir. They’re expecting you.”

Scott’s heart sank a little at the thought. “Right,” he replied, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Let’s get this over with.”

As they made their way inside, Scott couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that accompanied the thought of meeting women he had no interest in. He could already imagine his mother’s voice in his head, urging him to give love a chance. But today felt different; he just wanted to keep his head down and get through the evening.

“Remember, sir, just be yourself,” Lucas advised as they approached the table. “You’ll do great.”

Scott shot him a look that was somewhere between gratitude and disbelief. “You clearly don’t know me very well,” he replied dryly, before pushing open the door and stepping inside, ready to face whatever was waiting for him.

As Scott entered the VIP room, the soft hum of conversation and clinking of glasses enveloped him. The space was elegantly decorated, with plush seating and dim lighting that added to the intimate atmosphere. He scanned the room and spotted three women seated at a round table, their eyes turning to him as he walked in.

“Ah, there he is!” one of the women exclaimed, a bright smile lighting up her face. She stood, adjusting her fitted dress, and beckoned him over. “We were just talking about how we can’t wait to meet you.”

“Great,” Scott replied, plastering on a polite smile. As he approached, he forced himself to ignore the sinking feeling in his stomach. “Thanks for waiting.”

“Of course!” she chirped. “I’m Emily, and these are my friends, Sarah and Jessica.” She gestured to the two women beside her, both of whom offered friendly smiles.

“Nice to meet you,” Scott said, taking a seat at the table. He tried to keep his demeanor relaxed, though his mind raced with thoughts of how to navigate the evening.

“So, tell us about yourself, Scott!” Sarah said, leaning in slightly. She had an engaging presence, her curiosity evident.

Scott cleared his throat, searching for a suitable response. “Well, I’m a businessman, primarily in the tech sector. I’ve been in New York for a while now, and I—”

Before he could finish, Jessica interjected. “Ooh, tech! That sounds fascinating. Do you work for a startup or something more established?”

“More established,” he replied, grateful for the interest. “I manage a company that develops software solutions for various industries.”

“That sounds impressive!” Emily chimed in. “So, what do you do for fun? Besides, you know, dating random women your mother picks out for you?”

Scott chuckled, appreciating her candor. “Good question. I try to keep it interesting. I enjoy traveling, catching a game now and then, and occasionally indulging in fine dining.” He glanced around, noting the luxurious surroundings. “Looks like I’m in the right place for the afternoon.”

The conversation flowed, and Scott found himself gradually relaxing. He even managed to exchange a few playful jabs with the women, their laughter filling the air. For a moment, he forgot why he was there, losing himself in the pleasant banter.

Just as he started to feel comfortable, a sudden noise from the entrance caught his attention. He turned to see a woman walking in, her hair effortlessly cascading over her shoulders, and for a split second, time seemed to freeze. There was something strikingly familiar about her, a ghost from his past that made his heart skip a beat. At first, he was simply curious who she was, but as her gaze met his, something shifted in the air. She froze for a moment, and he felt a spark of recognition—an inexplicable connection that made his heart skip. But as he took in her features, his stomach dropped. The resemblance was uncanny.

“Is everything okay?” Emily asked, breaking him from his reverie.

“Uh, yeah. Just… thought I saw someone I knew,” Scott replied, forcing himself to look back at the table.

“Another blind date?” Jessica teased, her eyes glinting with mischief.

“Something like that,” he said, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling as he focused back on his companions, though he couldn’t shake the impression of the woman he had just seen.

~

Lydia and Betty stepped into the upscale restaurant, their arms linked as they made their way through the elegant space. The ambiance was buzzing with energy, and they exchanged excited glances, their anticipation palpable.

“Can you believe we’re actually here?” Lydia whispered, her eyes wide as they approached their table. The luxurious décor and the soft lighting created a perfect backdrop for their spontaneous lunch adventure.

“I know, right?” Betty replied, practically bouncing in her seat as they settled down. “This place is amazing! Just look at the menu!” She picked it up eagerly, her enthusiasm contagious. “I can’t wait to see what they have.”

Lydia chuckled, feeling the thrill of the moment. “I hope they have something decadent. We deserve it after that morning rush,” she said, shaking her head at the memory of her chaotic start to the day.

As they perused the menu, Lydia’s eyes wandered around the restaurant, taking in the patrons enjoying their meals.

Just then, a waiter approached their table, and they quickly shifted their attention back to the task at hand. “Good afternoon, ladies! Can I start you off with something to drink?” he asked, a friendly smile on his face.

“Yes, please! I’ll have a glass of your finest white wine,” Betty said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Lydia nodded in agreement, feeling a rush of exhilaration. “Same for me. And maybe some appetizers to start?”

As they placed their order, the thrill of the lunch date filled the air. Lydia couldn’t help but feel that today might turn out to be more than just a simple meal.

As Lydia and Betty chatted excitedly about their appetizers, a figure approached their table with confidence and charm. It was Chase, Betty’s boyfriend, the popular chef who worked in the very restaurant they were dining in. He wore a crisp white chef’s coat, his hair slightly tousled but stylish, and a warm smile lit up his face as he locked eyes with Betty.

“Babe, have you ordered your meal?” he asked, leaning in slightly as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Betty’s face lit up with delight. “Not yet! We were just about to decide. But I’m so glad to see you!”

Lydia watched the interaction with a smile, feeling a mix of happiness for her friend and a touch of envy. There was something undeniably sweet about the way they connected, and it made her yearn for that kind of chemistry.

Chase turned his attention to Lydia, extending his hand. “And you must be Lydia! I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said with genuine warmth.

“Nice to meet you, Chase,” she replied, shaking his hand. “Betty has told me you’re a superstar in the kitchen.”

He laughed, a modest yet proud look on his face. “I try my best. It’s nice to see you enjoying our restaurant. You’re in for a treat today; I’ll make sure of it,” he promised, glancing at the menu they had laid out.

“Thanks! We’re excited to try everything,” Lydia said, her enthusiasm returning. “Betty’s been raving about your food.”

“Well, I hope to live up to the hype,” Case replied with a wink. “If you have any special requests, just let me know. I’m happy to whip something up for you.”

“Oh, that sounds amazing!” Betty exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “You always make the best dishes, Chase. We trust you completely.”

As Chase stepped back, he cast a playful look over his shoulder. “Alright, ladies. I’ll be back with some surprises for you. Just sit tight and enjoy the ambiance.” He winked once more before heading back toward the kitchen, leaving a trail of anticipation in his wake.

Once he was gone, Lydia turned to Betty, her eyes wide. “Wow, you really do have it good! He’s adorable.”

Betty beamed, her cheeks flushed with happiness. “I know! I’m so lucky to have him. And now we get to enjoy his food! What could be better?”

As they continued to chat and laugh, Lydia felt a sense of warmth and camaraderie enveloping them, making her forget about the blind dates waiting elsewhere. Today was about friendship, good food, and enjoying the moment—whatever that moment might lead to.

As they continued to chat and laugh, Lydia felt a sense of warmth and camaraderie enveloping them, making her forget about how chaotic her morning had been. The stress of waking up late, rushing through her morning routine, and almost missing work faded into the background as she indulged in the lively atmosphere of the restaurant.

Betty’s infectious excitement pulled her further into the moment, and Lydia found herself reflecting on how much she appreciated their friendship. “Honestly, I needed this,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “A fancy lunch and time with you is just what I needed to unwind.”

Betty grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Same here! Life can be such a whirlwind sometimes, but we have to make time for fun. And hey, look at us! We’re at a fabulous restaurant, and Chase is in the kitchen cooking up a storm for us!”

Lydia nodded, her spirits lifting even higher. “Exactly! I can’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed. Plus, I can’t wait to see what Chase sends out. I hear he has a way of surprising everyone.”

Just then, a waiter approached with a tray, a smile on his face. “Ladies, here are your drinks and a couple of appetizers that Chef Chase prepared for you.” He set down two glasses of chilled white wine and placed a beautifully arranged platter of charcuterie and gourmet cheeses between them.

“Oh wow, this looks amazing!” Betty exclaimed, her eyes wide as she admired the vibrant colors and artful presentation.

Lydia picked up her glass, raising it in a toast. “To great food, good friends, and forgetting the morning chaos!”

Betty clinked her glass against Lydia’s with a bright smile. “Cheers to that!”

As they dug into the appetizers, the flavors dancing on their palates, Lydia couldn’t help but feel grateful. The earlier stress of her morning had melted away, replaced by laughter and delicious food. It was a reminder that amidst the chaos of life, moments like this—shared with friends—made everything worthwhile.