Table for Two

As Shay settled into her seat, Tia noticed a delicate gold cuff engraved with a tiny snowflake glinted on one of Shay’s wrists, a faint scar above one eyebrow, and eyes that seemed to catalog every detail without ever looking away.

Shay settled herself, folded her arms on the table and looked at Tia with an even gaze. “So, Tia, how are things?”

“Hi… yes… Shay… wow! Maya undersold you,” Tia blurted, then winced. Smooth, Tia, very smooth.

Shay gave her a quizzical look. “You were expecting someone else?”

“No… no… It’s just… I have a habit of putting my foot in my mouth. Please forgive me.”

At this, Shay laughed, low and genuine. “I understand. Performance pressure.”

The sommelier appeared as if summoned by magic. Tia thanked the stars for the lucky break. She needed to get back on track. The first few minutes had been embarrassing.

As the wine list was shown to Shay, she didn’t hesitate a second before saying, “Let’s do the Christmas-reserve Barolo. It’s practically the holidays.”

Tia nearly choked. She’d googled that bottle once, purely out of curiosity, and remembered the price had made her close the tab in horror.

Shay caught her expression. “Too much? We can pick something else.”

“No, no. it sounds… perfect.” But by this time, Tia’s mind had gone to a different place. Such an expensive wine on the day before the big interview. It felt like she was celebrating before the event. Could it be construed as a bad omen?

Tia clearly had an expressive face, because, as soon as the sommelier left with the order, Shay said, “There’s clearly something troubling you. Do you want to share?”

Tia sighed. “I’m sorry, Shay. I have not made a good impression on you so far. Trust me, I’m not this lame normally. It’s just that tomorrow is a very big day for me. I’m interviewing with my dream company, and that is holding all of my brain power today.”

Shay’s expression shifted, just for a moment.

“Which company?”

“MediaTech.”

A flicker. A tightening appeared in Shay’s jaw, which was gone almost instantly.

Tia panicked.

“I am so sorry. This is definitely not a first date conversation. I promise I’m not actively trying to be boring, although I’m sure it appears that way.”

Shay leaned back, a guarded expression on her face. “Tia, I’m very sorry, but can you excuse me for just a moment?”

Even before Tia could respond, Shay stood up and walked towards the washrooms.

As Shay walked away, Tia sighed. “I’m messing up a good date today. Why am I like this? Why can’t I just shut up about work for once and live a little?”

The waiter arrived with the expensive wine, placing two glasses on the table.

Tia checked her phone for any response from Maya. Nothing so far. She texted again.

Tia: Please tell me she’s known to be nice because I may have said something really dumb.
Tia: Maya?

Delivered.
Not seen.
Again!

No one was coming to rescue her. Tia was on her own.