𝐔𝐍𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒 | 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐘 "𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑" 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐖

𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄

✈︎𝐑 𝐄 𝐁 𝐄 𝐂 𝐂 𝐀

It's the evening of my first date with Bradley. Let's just say I am a mix of excitement and nerves as I wait at my mom's house for Bradley to pick me up. I had dressed up in a simple outfit, my hair meticulously styled, and my heart raced in anticipation of the night ahead.

"So let me get this straight..." Amelia starts. "You're going on a date with your Dad's dead best friend's son? The same guy that you said you'd never go for because of your unfortunate circumstance?"

"If by unfortunate circumstance you mean my dad is Pete Mitchell? Then yes." I lean my head against my wall as I sit in my old bedroom.

"Okay. And you will accept full responsibility when this brings major inconvenience to your life right?" She gives me a questioning look.

"What's the worst that could happen?" I shrug.

She quirks a brow at me. "Remember this conversation in 5 years." I nervously pull my knees closer to my chest as I stare out the window. "Have you told mom?"

"No..." I mumble. "I'm an adult I don't have to ask permission."

"You're too scared to tell her aren't you?"

"Yes." I bang my head against the wall.

I know for a fact that my mom would be disapproving. Not because Bradley is a bad guy, but because I haven't told anyone about my Dad being the best/worst Captain there is. But who's to say that I can't have a harmless fling with Bradley? It's not like I plan on marrying the guy.

It's just a harmless fling.

The doorbell chimed, and I took a deep breath to calm my racing heart. As I made my way to the front door, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement that washed away all of the anxiety in my body. There he was looking really good.

Bradley greeted me with a warm smile, his eyes lighting up when he saw me. "Becca, you look—amazing," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

I blushed slightly, a wave of warmth washing over me. "Thank you, Bradley. You clean up pretty well yourself." I scan over his outfit. Light wash jeans, sneakers that possibly cost more than my entire closet, and a Hawaiian shirt. Strange, yet oddly attractive.

He chuckled, offering his arm as a chivalrous gesture. "Shall we, Cherry Bomb?"

I looped my arm through his, and together, we walked to his car. The night was warm, and the stars shone above as the sun set, creating a perfect backdrop for the beginning of our first date.

"So where are we headed?" I ask as we get settled into his vehicle.

He dusts his pants before turning the keys. "Well you said nothing fancy because restaurants are for business meetings and failed proposals." I bite my lip as a snicker tries to escape. "So I decided that Retro Bites would be our best bet." I nod in agreement.

As we drove to Retro Bites, the anticipation in the car was palpable. We shared stories, laughed at each other's jokes, and tried our best to avoid awkward tension.

As we neared the diner, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to get to know Bradley better and to explore the depths of our budding connection. I know that when we were kids we spent sometime together. But none that I was old enough to remember. Hopefully it's the same way for him.

***

Retro Bites was a charming diner to say the least. The neon lights and '50s-style decor set a nostalgic ambiance that added a layer of charm to the evening, and I couldn't have been more excited.