Regarding first impressions, Maureen got an eight out of ten.

Where did the other two points go?

After the first minutes of excitement, Callum fell back into his analysis stance. Something bothered Callum in the way Maureen asked about his car. Also though he loved punctuality, he didn't appreciate how Maureen showed up early and visited his bakery. The man got the impression she came to inspect. Since the sensation pinched him, the man felt he passed an exam.

Silence filled the car, and Maureen didn't even suggest or turn on the music.

Callum gave her a side glance. Her aura was in total contrast with Adele's sunshine. He wondered if the app didn't do it on purpose. For the moment, the women he met were complete opposites of one another. There seemed to be no halfway.

"I hope you didn't mind me showing up early. I hate being late. You have a nice bakery," Maureen smiled and returned her focus to the road.

"No, it's okay." Callum wanted to add that he presumed she'd be more discreet and wait outside, but he renounced.

"Did you get off work early?" Callum asked.

"No, I don't work on Thursdays and weekends."

"Lucky you. It must be nice to have weekends."

"Why? You're the boss. Can't you schedule weekends for yourself?" Maureen said with a crooked smile.

There it was again. One didn't know whether the inquiry was random or if the woman mocked.

"I can, but I don't want to make it a habit. We're open six days a week from seven till seven. There are only eight of us, and I don't particularly appreciate making people work overtime. That time is usually mine."

Maureen nodded; she liked the answer that made Callum look responsible.

Callum surprised himself. He wasn't one to give long answers, but Maureen somehow forced that. The man felt the pressure of her expectation even when she said nothing.

Maureen glanced at Callum. "And you worked today dressed like that?"

Callum's frown pushed Maureen to rephrase. "I mean, it's not much of an outfit for work. I just thought I'd see you in a toque blanc [white hat worn by professionals], a white double-breasted jacket, and houndstooth trousers."

Callum laughed at the description, "I went home to change. I don't have baking attire. I usually wear a white tee and an apron. The toque is a net for me. As you saw, the staff wear branded tees in summer and long-sleeve sweatshirts in winter."

"It's cool. You have your bakery's uniform. Have you ever thought about selling your uniforms as merch? People love merch of any kind nowadays. Look at all the coffee branches with their mugs and refill cups."

Maureen had a point. Caitlin had also given him a similar idea. Still, for Callum, the most important thing at the time was making his business profitable before running after what he saw as baiting. The essential part was making sweet and good-tasting pastry.

"No, it's not something I've thought about," Callum replied.

"You should, it boosts customer loyalty, and you gain free publicity. Imagine your customers walking around with their Bakersfield tote bag, tee, or even airtight usable cake box."

Seeing no reaction from Callum, Maureen added, "Sorry, you must not want to talk about work."

"No, it's fine. I love my business and appreciate any insight. Don't hesitate to tell me more."

Good thought, Maureen. Some people didn't like anyone to comment or criticize the fruit of their labor. Callum didn't seem to have an ego.

The man didn't know Pandora's box he opened. Maureen had an idea for everything from his logos typo and bakery name she found archaic, to the minimalistic decor she found random.

"You have a bakery, but it has no theme. People love gimmicks. Bakersfield lacks storytelling."

Callum nodded and said, "Have you ever thought about working in marketing?"

"No."

"It's a pity. You seem to have the fibers for it."

"Do you think so?" Maureen smiled. She took Callum's remark as a compliment.
"Jobs in domains like marketing aren't praiseworthy. My parents have an old fashion way of thinking. The only fields worth working in are banking, medical, or education. A military career shows courage."

Maureen resumed what Callum guessed were her parent's expectations in a few sentences. Something told him the job fields also extended to Maureen's love interest. He understood better why the woman had asked him several questions about his job as a teacher and why he left it.

"You know it's never too late to change. Look at me, I won't say it was easy, but I'm much happier with my strawberry cakes and croissants."

Callum spoke without considering Maureen's setbacks. He saw a grown woman capable of making her own decisions. In contrast, Maureen observed respect for her parent's will. Though British by birth, she followed the traditions of her Asian heritage.

They continued to discuss work and aspirations until Maureen aborded their date location.

"I thought we could do something casual. There's a multicomplex between Barnet and Edgware where we can do multiple activities otherwise if you have an idea."

The woman spoke as though she gave Callum the choice when they were half way there.

"It sounds good."

Callum didn't mind letting his dates choose the location. He preferred for them to be in a space where they felt comfortable. Like Adele, Maureen chose a crowded place. Callum noted Maureen didn't try to entice him with her silhouette by underlining parts of her anatomy as Adele did with her plunging balcony. Maureen seemed somewhat conservative. Then again, they barely knew each other perhaps she paid attention to the interpretation Callum could make.

The man was right. It was one of Maureen's first date golden rules never to wear anything revealing or something that would have you constantly thinking about what you have on.

"Was the bakery hard to find?"

"No, I know the area," Maureen said without going into the details and telling Callum he wasn't the first guy she dated in the perimeter. One of her five Oppo favs was from the area. The woman didn't even break a sweat at the idea of crossing one of her beaus. She was exclusive with no one.

They chatted until they arrived at the Megarama amusement complex.

"Wow," Callum said as he discovered the twelve-story building and its amusement floors. One could go swimming, bowling, or skating. They could play arcade games, indoor golf, and indoor football. There was even an escape room and a climbing room.

"I love this place. I sometimes come here to climb but don't worry, we can do something light," Maureen said as they approached the welcome desk.

"What do you call light?"

Maureen grinned, "Something like bowling."

"Okay."

The ice was broken, and Callum felt more comfortable. Maureen wasn't a chatterbox. The correct word would be passionate. She invested in conservation, which she found interesting. Thus there were no blanks between the baker and the accountant.

They went to get their bowling shoes.

"Do you want us to split the bill or pay things separately?"

"We can split?" Callum answered.

"I don't like money to be an issue. I prefer to talk about any spending, big or small."

She's the practical type.

"You want to play first?"

She likes taking the lead.

It was just his second date, and Callum was in full checklist mode.

"No, you first. I'm not good at this."

Maureen took their first shot and made four pins fall. Her second attempt saw the bowl go down the lane, "damn it."

It was Callum's turn. "I'm really not good at this," said the man before making two strikes.

"I thought you weren't good at bowling," Maureen said. She was annoyed, and Callum hoped for their date's sake she would make a strike, and she did.

The woman directly went back to her mink self. They played a little more, and Callum wondered if he should mock up and let her win, as the woman seemed like a sore loser.

"I forgot to tell you I'm a sore loser."

Bingo, thought Callum, who saw right. He won despite himself, and Maureen asked for revenge in a game she mastered: ping pong.

The woman played seriously and literally smashed every ball on Callum's side.

"Hey, that isn't playing."

"Really," Maureen replied with the mocking tone of a spoilt child.

Once again, the tone had its effect, and Callum took off his sweater to play. He wasn't sportive, but he had good reflexes and was good with anything involving his hands. He lost, but the gap between their points wasn't significant.

It was his turn to propose an activity. Callum wished to visit the arcade floor. The couple went from one game to the other. Pac Man, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong and Pinball, the two felt young again as they played with the nostaligia of their youth.

The conversation left space for competition. Callum discovered Maureen's determination and strategic nature. Finally, the couple sat down to eat; there was a food court and a diner that revisited all the codes of the authentic American one with checkered black and white tiled floor, turquoise-colored leather seats, and neon lights on the ceiling.

Maureen chose the diner to have some intimacy.

The whole date surprised Callum, not that he had any expectations, but he didn't expect it to go this way either. Their outing absorbed his energy differently than his date with Adele. There, Callum had to engage his mind and body. Singing along with Adele suddenly seemed a peaceful recreation.

"Gosh, I could eat a horse," Callum said. The man was knackered and at the end of his efforts.

"Really, I'm not that hungry."

Normal, Callum wished to say we didn't have the same day. Maureen was off while he was up since five with his hangover head.

Callum ordered a burger and fries while Maureen took a Caesar salad.

"How long have you been single?" Maureen began once the waitress served them.

"A while."

"What's a while?" Maureen pursued.

"A few years."

"What's a few years?"

Callum wanted to say I knew you'd ask that but replied, "Eight."

"Oh wow," Maureen blinked and added, "Why are you on Oppo suddenly?"

Callum shrugged, "I guess I'm tired of being alone. How about you?"

"I've been single for six months."

"Whoㅡ?"

One could see pride hailing Maureen's face as she said, "I called it quits. He was wasting my time. You can't be with someone for three years and not propose."

Callum drooped his lips. He didn't see how the number of years played a part, "Three years is too long, in your opinion?"

"Yes, it's the max. One should know their story's direction after a year."

"So you ditched your fiancé?"

"Boyfriend, we weren't even engaged, remember?" Callum translated the pressing tone into Please register.

"If you're saying this, it means the person dating you now should have marriage in mind to keep up with your agenda," Callum resumed.

"Yes, I'm dating for marriage. I don't have time to waste," Maureen replied.

The tone was set. Maureen and Adele did have something in common they both went straight to the point. One was more clumsy than the other. Callum took a huge gulp of his water.

Maureen definitely didn't come to play.