C26 First date
SYDNEY
I stared at myself in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time, running a hand through my hair and adjusting my dress. Tonight, I was going on a date with Andy. A real date, not some staged arrangement for my father’s benefit. And yet, I couldn’t stop my thoughts from drifting to Alaric Blackthorne. His name echoed in my mind with every heartbeat, making my stomach flutter in a way that no man—no, not even Andy—had ever done.
I sighed dramatically. Focus, Sydney. This is about Andy. Not Alaric. Not him. Andy.
Andy had finally agreed to meet after days of back-and-forth texting and endless reminders from Paige. And let me tell you, he was gorgeous—but not Alaric gorgeous. There was a quiet charm to him, an understated allure that was both calming and slightly unsettling. He had the same piercing jade-green eyes as Alaric, which I noticed immediately and almost flinched at. It was like déjà vu. But unlike Alaric, Andy’s gaze didn’t have that predatory edge; it was softer, serious, and intent on… me.
---
I arrived at the restaurant early, nervously tapping my fingers on the table. The ambiance was perfect: dim lighting, a soft jazz band playing in the corner, and candles flickering on each table. Paige had called ahead to ensure it was quiet enough for me to focus… and to stop paparazzi from snapping every angle of my face.
When Andy walked in, my breath hitched. He was taller than I expected, and his posture exuded confidence without arrogance. He was dressed in a charcoal-gray suit that fit him perfectly, and when he smiled at me, it was warm, genuine, and a little mischievous.
“Sydney,” he greeted, his voice low and calm, but carrying a tone that made my pulse quicken. “You look… incredible.”
I forced a smile, my nerves dancing with excitement and residual thoughts of Alaric. “Thank you, Andy. You look… serious,” I teased lightly, letting my tone carry a playful edge.
Andy chuckled softly. “Some things deserve seriousness,” he said, leaning in slightly. “Marriage, for instance.”
I raised an eyebrow, trying to mask the twinge of anxiety that accompanied his words. “Marriage, yes,” I replied smoothly. “That’s… serious business, isn’t it?”
Andy’s gaze lingered on me a moment longer than necessary, and I felt heat rise in my chest. “It is. That’s why I don’t waste time with games or half-measures. If we’re doing this, I want it to matter. Truly.”
I nodded, appreciating his sincerity. I liked that about him. He was honest, dependable, predictable in a way that made my chaotic thoughts breathe. But I couldn’t lie to myself—Alaric was still in my head, whispering like a storm on the horizon.
---
Dinner was served, a beautifully arranged array of dishes that looked almost too good to eat. We chatted about trivial things at first—food, the restaurant, mutual friends—but gradually, the conversation deepened.
“So… what do you actually do when you’re not modeling?” Andy asked, his green eyes probing but gentle.
I shrugged, spinning my wine glass lazily. “I… have a few side projects. Businesses, collaborations. You know, things that keep me busy.”
Andy leaned back, studying me with an unreadable expression. “Busy, huh? Sounds like you’re avoiding someone—or something.”
I laughed nervously, brushing it off. “Avoiding? Me? Never.”
He smirked, but there was a hint of something dangerous beneath it. “You know, some things in life are worth avoiding. Some things are… complicated.”
I tilted my head, intrigued despite myself. “Complicated how?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Andy’s smirk deepened. “You’ll find out eventually. Or maybe you already have. I like a little mystery, Sydney. Keeps life interesting.”
I felt a shiver run down my spine. That cryptic remark… it had Alaric written all over it. And I hated that it excited me. I tried to focus, laugh it off, and even managed a teasing smile. “You’re mysterious, aren’t you?”
“Maybe,” he replied, with a glance that made my stomach twist. “But only in ways that matter.”
I sipped my wine, pretending to consider his words, but inside, my mind was racing. Alaric. Why did every man I met feel like a placeholder for him?
---
As the night wore on, I noticed that Andy wasn’t just handsome. He was observant, serious, and genuinely interested in me—not just my celebrity persona, but the real me. That was a first. And yet… I couldn’t shake the memory of Alaric, his eyes, the way he dominated every space he entered, the dangerous energy that made me want to both fear and desire him simultaneously.
Andy reached across the table, lightly touching my hand. “Sydney, I mean what I said. I want this to be real. I want us to be serious. I’m not here to play games.”
I smiled, genuinely appreciating his honesty. “Andy… I like that about you. I like that a lot.”
And yet, as much as I tried to focus on him, the thought of Alaric lingered like a shadow, teasing me with every heartbeat. My chest ached with the need to see him, to provoke him, to… feel the fire he brought out in me.
I caught myself laughing at one of Andy’s jokes, and for a second, I almost felt normal—no schemes, no chaos, no obsession. But then I remembered the bet, the plans, the thrill of seeing Alaric frustrated, and my stomach twisted with excitement and dread.
---
After dinner, as Andy walked me to my car, his hand brushing lightly against mine, I realized something important: I could like Andy. I could appreciate his steadiness, his cryptic charm, his honesty. But liking him didn’t erase Alaric from my mind. He was still there, lurking, dangerous, magnetic, irresistible.
And I knew, deep down, that my heart wasn’t ready to let him go. Not yet.
Because no matter how serious, honest, or charming Andy was, he couldn’t ignite the storm that Alaric Blackthorne carried. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to be free of it…
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