“What are you gonna wear?”
“You know, I haven’t thought about it. But maybe I should dress up, huh? Really get into it?”
She stopped suddenly. “I thought you said you don’t go on dates.”
“I don’t, but this is different because I won’t actually be with him.”
She resumed moving. “What’s the point?”
“I guess the point is that I can experience all of the good parts of a date without having to worry about the scary stuff. It’s perfect for me, really.”
Lilith looked back at me briefly as she scooted along ahead of me. “You’re weird, Rana.”
I jogged faster to keep up with her. “Is that supposed to be news, Lilith? Anyway, enough about me. What’s going on with you? Everything cool?”
“I have to write a paper on someone I admire. I couldn’t think of anyone, so I’m just going to write it about you,” she said nonchalantly.
I was momentarily touched until it hit me that was probably a very bad idea. “Are you sure? There are really many more viable options—like your mom. She’s a lawyer. You should write about her. Or what about like Maya Angelou? What are you gonna say about me?”
She began to scoot away with more momentum and yelled, “You’ll find out.”
Oh, boy.
When I arrived home from my time with Lilith, a large box delivered by UPS was sitting outside of my door. Knowing it was from Landon, butterflies started to swarm in my stomach.
A few days earlier, he had asked for my address to send me something. I was really hesitant to give it to him, but he assured me he would never trick me or use it to come visit me without my knowledge. His argument was convincing.
“You’re living with a probable psychopath, Rana. Are you really afraid of ME showing up at your door?”
Truth.
I chose to trust him.
I lifted it up and carried it into the apartment. It was actually pretty heavy.
Lenny was sitting in the kitchen, wearing massive headphones and listening to something on his laptop. He completely ignored me as I walked past him and into my room.
My heart was palpitating as I opened the box, only to find multiple wrapped packages inside. Each was numbered. The words “Open Me First” were written on a folded note reminiscent of the ones he used to make me. That warmed my heart as I opened it.
Rana,
Don’t open anything until I tell you. This is our virtual date in a box. I’ll “pick you up” at eight your time.
Landon
P.S. Wear something sexy, or at least tell me you are. I won’t know the fucking difference.
My cheeks actually hurt from smiling. The fact that he had put so much effort into this was really touching.
Resisting the temptation to open anything in the box, I jumped in the shower and realized that I hadn’t been this excited about anything in a really long time.
At the same time, I pondered whether I would have felt the same if this were a real date. I knew I wouldn’t have. That would’ve scared me.
Slipping into some comfortable undies and a long T-shirt, I waited anxiously for Landon’s call.
At 8PM exactly, the phone rang, and the butterflies in my tummy began to flutter in full force.
I jumped to answer it. “Hello?”
His raspy voice sounded so sexy. “Hey.”
“You’re right on time.”
“Did you expect me to be late? It’s our first official date. That would be in poor taste.”
“It’s been a while for me. I don’t know what to expect, especially with this scenario.”
“A while since you’ve been on a date?”
I hesitated. “Yes.”
Technically, I’d never been on a real date.
“How long?”
Keep it vague. “It feels like ages.”
“Okay, well, I’m going to ask you to use your imagination a bit tonight, okay? You’re going to have to work with me.”
I got goosebumps. “Alright.”
“What’s the weather like by you right now?”
Leaning my head to look out the window, I said, “It’s dark out and cold.”
“Okay, well, if we were here together, you’d see that the sun is still shining. So, our date is going to take place here. We have about an hour and a half left of daylight. You have your box nearby?”
“Yes, it’s right here by my bed.”
“Good. Okay, open it. Take out the first item labeled number one and unwrap it.”
My heart was racing as I carefully took it out of the box and opened the packaging, which revealed a sunshine lamp. “Oh, my goodness, you’re giving me sunshine?”
“It’s supposed to simulate daylight, yes. Do you have a place to plug it in?”
“I do.” I took it out of the box before connecting the plug to the socket behind my night table. As the lamp lit up my room, I smiled. “It’s nice and bright in here now.”
“Okay, now you have your sunshine. No more excuses for a bad day.”
“This is awesome. Thank you.”
“Now, if you were here, the first thing I would want to do is show off a little by taking you to my business. So, go ahead and open number two.”
Feeling giddy, I removed the wrapping from around item number two. My mouth curved into a smile upon the sight of an adorable replica lunch truck with a decal on the side featuring the Landon’s Lunch Box logo.
“Your truck!”
“I thought you might like that.”
“You have these made?”
“Yes. They’re limited edition.”
“You know I’m obsessed with this lunch truck, right?”
“Yup. And so, that’s why it’s the first stop on our date. Now, take a walk with me into the truck.”
Biting my bottom lip, I closed my eyes and imagined what he told me to. “Okay.”
“Watch your step. You can probably smell all of the leftover aromas from the day, which all rolled together smell basically like fried onions. Are you hungry, Rana?”
“I’m starving.”
“Well, let’s feed you, then. I’ve made you a special sandwich. Open up number three.”
“Are you kidding? You sent food?”
“Don’t worry, it’s packed with frozen gel packs and made with a ciabatta bread that doesn’t get soggy. So, it should be fresh.”
“Gah!” I rushed to open the third item.
Removing the packaging around the sandwich, I could smell fresh basil. I took it out of the foil and sank my teeth in. “Mmm. What is this?”
“It’s a special recipe just for you. I named this one Tomato-Tomahto Saloomi-Salami.”
I burst out in laughter. “Perfect.” Taking another bite, I said, “What did you put in it? It’s delicious.”
“It’s tomato, salami, fresh basil, mozzarella on ciabatta with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of chili pepper-infused olive oil.”
My mouth was full as I spoke. “Holy crap. This is so good, Landon.”
“You must be thirsty.”
I laughed. “If I say yes, will I be opening up another item?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, I am.”
“Go ahead, then.”
I immediately recognized the shape of number four before I even opened it. “You sent me a mini bottle of wine.”
“I didn’t trust you not to finish a big bottle yourself,” he joked. “You would’ve been swearing at me again by the end of this.”
“You might be right.” I twisted the top off and took a sip of the pinot grigio. “Delicious.”
He seemed to be chewing.