Cookie Date

"So," Kishan said turning back to face me with a mildly amused smile, "would you like to have cookies with me?"

I could not help but let out a sigh before I smiled back. "Sure just let me grab some coffee." With that he went to sit at the table.

Click click click click

I heard the sound of him typing on his phone as I made myself a cup of instant coffee. As I pulled out the chair to sit down however he quickly closed it and put it face down on the table.

"So Bailey," he said looking up at me as I gently stirred the milk into my coffee. His dark eyes were lit with amusement. "How likely is it that we've been set up?" he asked casually.

I slightly raised an eye brow at his direct attitude. I sipped my coffee to buy time to contemplate my answer.

"Well it's not an accident that I'm here but I find it hard to believe Ariel would fake car troubles not to be here, so I don't know." I decided to answer honestly. I have always appreciated people who cut to the chase rather than being cryptic and beating around the bush.

I was raised up north where people say what they mean and mean what they say. However the summer before I started high school my family moved to just an hour north of New Orleans on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain. I still lived in the area.

Kishan's calm yet direct attitude was a breath of fresh air to me. This kind of attitude can be hard to find in the south.

"Hmm," was all he said as he sipped his coffee. I took advantage of the momentary silence that no longer felt as awkward to take a bite from a cookie. "You said you were an English Lit. major so tell me, what is your favorite classic?"

"Pride and Prejudice," I answered easily. I can always talk about books.

"How come?"

"Well, originally I fell in love with the 6 hour mini series as a child. It was my favorite 'movie'," I made air quotes with one hand. "I can still waste a day watching it. I didn't actually read the book until I was in high school but I was not disappointed with it at all. It's not just my favorite classic, it's my favorite period."

He smiled in a relaxed manor that made him very easy to talk to. Though I am generally the quiet type until you get to know me my words flowed naturally. His whole presence gave off a very calm but sturdy feeling that was aided by his smooth baritone voice.

Also did I mention he was handsome? Dangerously so.

"What do you like about it so much?" he asked taking a bite of his own cookie.

"I love the dynamic between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy as they get to know each other and fall in love in spite of themselves. And how they still end up together even though Mr. Darcy screwed up his initial proposal.

"Not only that, I love how the side characters have their own love stories and are well thought out. The problems they all face real problems but nothing so exaggerated like todays romances. Don't get me wrong, I love a good K-drama but exactly how many people actually fall into a coma only to wake up and have temporary amnesia?

"Though it's a historical romance it's so much easier to relate to how one simply falls for a person in spite of everything. Jane and Mr. Bingley are so sweet together providing the perfect compliment to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's turbulent relationship."

As I spoke he listened attentively sipping his coffee and finishing off a cookie. Finally I realized I was rambling on about a romantic story, which he probably would not be interested in, so I ended my speech.

"So," I said mildly embarrassed. "Do you like to read?"

"No," he answered then allowed a dramatic pause to happen before continuing, "I love it. So much so I just recently finished my PHD in English Literature." His smile was slightly playful as he finished his sentence.

My face rapidly switched from showing my momentary stomach clenching horror from embarrassing myself to wide eyed with surprise.

'So this man likes to play jokes,' was my first thought.

"Mr. Kishan, was the dramatic pause really necessary?" I complained knowing I had been had.

"Hmm," he took another sip of his coffee. "I'm not sure what you're referring to," he said though his expression still said otherwise.

I let it go with a small sigh. "Then what is your favorite?" I asked sipping my own coffee. He thought for a moment before answering.

"I can't say I have a favorite book but my favorite collection would have to be the Sherlock Holmes series."

"So you're a mystery type."

The conversation flowed naturally from then on as we continued to discuss different books we had both read. We discovered we had a lot of the same taste in literature and before we realized it the cookies were gone and our coffee was cold.

Almost an hour later Ariel and her mom finally returned. When the door opened the two of us had been laughing over a comedic part of the book we were discussing. I looked over and met Ariel's inquisitive gaze.

"Sorry we're so late," Ariel's mom said looking up at the clock that hung on the wall. "The tow truck took much longer to show up than they initially said." Both her and Ariel walked over to the table. "Kishan this my daughter Ariel, Ariel this is Kishan."

Kishan stood and shook her hand as they exchanged greetings. Ariel was all done up ready for her date wearing a beautiful bright orange dress. Reminding me that she knew what would happen when I came over dressed like I normally was.

"It's unfortunate but I don't think we will be able to make our dinner reservation tonight," Kishan said looking at his leather watch.

"We can reschedule for tomorrow night if you're free," Ariel's mom suggested.

"Actually," Kishan hesitated for a moment before saying, "if it's alright with you I would like to change plans." He turned to look at me with an anxious expression and continued, "Bailey, would you like to go out with me tomorrow night?"

I instantly blushed at the unexpected question. "Aaa sure," I said somewhat dazed. His shoulders and face relaxed at my response. I had not noticed when they had tensed.

We quickly exchanged numbers and set a time for him to pick me up from my place. As he was leaving he turned his head around to say, "Make sure you dress up tomorrow."

Thunk. The door closed behind him leaving us three women standing there momentarily stunned. It was Ariel's mom who broke the silence.

"Bailey, if you are scheduled to work tomorrow get someone to cover your shift. We need to spend the day shopping for a dress."

"Aaa, I'm off tomorrow."

"Good. Be here by 9 o'clock and we will all go together. This is unexpected but a good result nonetheless." She promptly turned to leave, leaving no room for discussion.

Thunk. The door closed behind her as she left. As soon as she did Ariel grabbed the sleeve of my hoodie and started jumping up and down excitedly.