Blind date number eight choose to take me to Olive's Garden for our date. Not a bad choice, though I'll admit I loathe most pasta. He's already at the table when I arrive, that alone putting him ahead of blind dates two, three, and six. Taking my seat, I apologize, "Sorry for running a bit late." I'm actually right on time, but maybe on time to a guy like him is late.

He doesn't look up from his phone, but has the decency to say, "All good, just give me a minute."

Okay.

Believe it or not, worse things have happened on my last seven dates. Date number two took me to a fair, which was a great choice in hindsight. He, however, had a weak stomach or ate too much because he ended up puking on my shoes. Date three didn't talk unless spoken to first, and even then his answers were either yes or no. He never asked any questions. Date six walked out after he finished eating and left the bill. So yeah. It's been an interesting three months and I have a feeling date eight is going to add to the entertainment, that is if he ever gets off his phone.

I flag down a waiter and ask for water as I study my date. He's pale. Really pale, it's like he's never seen the sun, which now that I think about it, could be true if he spends as much time playing video games as I assume he does. He has freckles sprinkled across his cheeks and a pointy nose. He isn't unattractive if you like the brooding-never-pays-you-any-attention type. Personally, I don't think I do. I wait another minute before I clear my throat lightly, hoping to catch his attention.

He looks up for the first time since I arrived and I notice his eyes are green. He assess me and I think deems me worthy of his attention because he actually puts his phone down. Impressive.

I smile at him, determined to give this my best shot despite our rough start. "Hi."

He blinks once, twice. "H-hi." He blinks more and clears his throat. "Sorry, I'm Cooper."

I stretch a hand out across our table, "Anika."

Cooper takes my hands with a smile. "Beautiful name."

"Thank you."

Staring at me with open fascination, Cooper cocking his head a little, examining me. "Is it African or something?"

There are two ways to answer this question. "Yes, actually." I think I'll go with the fun version. In a semi-sarcastic voice, I tell him, "My grandmother was this great African warrior princess. Her dying wish was for me to be named after her."

To my astonishment, Cooper seems more intrigued than skeptical. "Whoa! So, you're like African royalty?"

I have to stop for a second. Does Africa even have monarchs? Damn. Should've probably learned that before. In my defense, I never in a hundred years would've thought he'd believe me, especially since my voice was clearly sarcastic. Now I have to backtrack and look dumb. "I-I was actually kidding. I'm named after this actress, Anika Noni Rose."

Cooper looks disappointed. "Oh."

Wincing in embarrassment, I offer him a sorry shrug.

Cooper sighs before asking, "Are you at least from Africa?"

"No. My grandparents were born in Uganda and came here in the late '70s, but I was born here."

"Oh."

I'm just about done with Cooper and falling short of his African expectations when our waiter arrives. "Hello, and welcome to Olive's Garden. I'm Hannah and I'll be your waitress tonight. What can I get you?"

I grab the menu, just now realizing I hadn't looked at it. Cooper either looked earlier or just knows what he wants because he goes ahead and orders. "I want the Fettuccine Alfredo, thanks."

Hannah writes down his order and turns to me. "Ummm..." I need more time but Cooper is looking at me expectantly and I don't want to have to call Hannah back over in a minute, so I take the easy way out. "I'll also have the Fettuccine Alfredo." In all honesty, I don't know what Fettuccine is, but I pray it's delicious.

"Alright, I'll be back soon." Hannah leaves and it's just Cooper and me again. Is it bad to admit I'm sad to see her go?

Cooper is quiet for a second, eyeing his phone discreetly. It's then that I realize I'll have to start talking if I don't want him to choose the phone over me. "So, Cooper, what are you into?"

Maybe we'll have a lot of things in common and could at least be friends at the end of this. The fact that Cooper is thinking before answering is a good sign.

"Usually tall girls, full figures and I'm an ass kinda guy. Race doesn't matter to me." He takes a sip of his water. "How about you?"

"I was actually talking about hobbies, sports, that kind of thing."

Cooper flushes, his cheeks tinting with a hint of pink. "Oh. Um...I'm not really sporty. And do video games count as a hobby?"

I smile a little. "Sure."

Cooper smiles back. "Okay, then video games are my hobbies. How about you, what are you into? Guy wise."

Trent Johnson's face comes to mind but I don't think I can use him as my answer. "Umm, I don't actually know."

All shyness gone, Cooper rests a hand on my knee under our little table. "We'll have to change that." He smirks.

Reaching under the table, I remove his fingers. "No, I'm good."

I thought it was safe to wear a dress tonight. Date four's need for immediate physical affection scared me away from them until today, but Jess claimed Cooper was my type, that he hit all the boxes. I hate to be so blunt, but he doesn't hit all the boxes. With the exception of that second and half his flush lasted, Cooper hasn't been shy. The lingering warmth of his wandering hand is a testament to that.
He's by no means a good conversationalist; I've spent half the night thous far competing with his phone for attention.

It's not going to work out.

My options are limited, I know, but this can't be all there is for me. It just can't be. I'm not runway model gorgeous by a long shot, but I'm cute. My personality isn't gonna win awards, but it isn't horrible either and I have a great work ethic.

I tell myself all of this to dwindle the panic that sets inside my stomach as I consider leaving this date. It won't go, but at some point, one has to have boundaries. And self-respect. Yes. That's what's I need more of; self-respect. I've made up my mind and I'm seconds away from telling Cooper I'm leaving when our food arrives.

Perfect.

I'll take my food and go. I'm about to thank Hannah for the food when Cooper interjects, "Could we have it to go?"

It takes everything in me to keep my jaw from hitting the floor. After everything that's happened, his the one to ask for the to-go boxes? I'll admit, I didn't see that coming.

Hannah nods, saying she'll be right back. I pray she actually means it.

I turn to Cooper, my face blank. I could let silence engulf us or I could get answers as to why he wants to leave. I decide on the latter. "What's with the to-go boxes?"

For the first tonight, Cooper wastes no time answering. "To be frank, you're not my type. You lie too much and are kinda rude."

Okay.

I take a deep breath, making sure to do it slowly enough that it looks as if I'm just thinking. Keeping my face passive, I reply, "Okay, um one question: when did I lie?"

Whether I was rude or not tonight is too debatable to question him about. I thought my manners were pretty good. I never once lost it on him, and I actually tried to care and make tonight pleasant. Not to pat myself on back too heavily, but my mother would be proud of how real my smiles looked. I really tried tonight, and yet my date is dumping me before I can him.

I get out of my head long enough to hear Cooper's answer, "umm remember Africa? Your grandma the warrior? Yeah, that was unneeded and broke trust."

What trust?

We met thirty minutes ago. I don't even know his last name, but you know what? It doesn't matter. The date is ending, and I can go snuggle up to Grey and tell him everything. I almost close my eyes at the thought. I can finish this, five more minutes and I'll never see Cooper again.

True to her word, Hannah doesn't take long and she's back before I can say another word to Grey. I unzip my purse quickly, placing thirty backs on her little card tray before grabbing my food and standing up. Cooper adds a ten and follows suit. Before I leave, I turn to Cooper one last time. "For the record, I'm sorry I lied." That said, I head out of the restaurant, my hands full of food I didn't even want.

4.9.20, 1550