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Aelin stepped into the busy restaurant, her eyes scanning the room quickly.
There was a soft din in the air. The tables were mostly full, but it wasn't crowded. A perfect balance to tell Aelin that her date had excellent taste, but wasn't trying to be trendy.
Looking down at her phone, she reread the final message from Lysandra after she convinced Aelin to go on this date. Admittedly, Aelin mostly agreed because Aedion was clearly against the idea, despite it being his friend. Lysandra was pulling the strings, completely ignoring Aedion's arguments, and it was far too much fun to watch for Aelin to then decline.
He's tall, hot, and will be wearing a grey pullover sweater.
"Gee, so much to go on," Aelin muttered to herself. As nice as it was to have Lys trying so hard to get Aelin out on this date, her friend could use a few pointers in useful information for a blind date.
She looked around the room again and found two tables near the back corner, each with a man wearing a grey sweater. Seemed like a good place to start.
Smoothing her one-armed turquoise dress, picked to match her eyes, Aelin started toward the tables. Her golden heels, which were almost identical to the ring around her irises, clacked softly against the floor, alerting both men of her approach.
The two looked up at the same time, and both quickly stood before eyeing the other competitively.
Admittedly, from looks alone, Aelin wasn't sure she could go wrong. Both were tall, the shorter being about six-foot-two with short, chestnut hair and a tan complexion. His bronze eyes turned to focus on Aelin, his gaze slightly possessive, just enough to make Aelin look toward the other, wanting to break free from his stare.
If the first was hot, this one was ice so cold it burns. He was, easily, the most attractive man Aelin had ever seen. About two inches taller than the other, he had golden skin and a broader frame. Though the first was clearly muscular, this one…he looked like an ancient warrior, big enough to be obviously strong, lean enough that he was likely fast as hell too. He had bright, silver hair - not greyed from age, but clearly his natural color - and a strong jaw. Eyes rolling over him, Aelin could just see the beginnings of a tattoo peeking out from where his sleeve was rolled halfway up his forearm. And looking back up, she met the most beautiful pine green eyes she had ever seen, far more entrancing than even her best friend's emerald.
His stare was focused on her, her face, taking in her features in a way that was both soft and predatory, desire pulsing through Aelin from the intensity of his gaze.
Silver Hair looked like he was about to say something when another voice cut through Aelin's ogling.
"You must be my date," the other man said, stepping toward her and giving her a small smile. "I'm Chaol. You look beautiful."
"Thank you," Aelin sighed, nodding politely. "Aelin. Though, I'm not sure-"
"There you are!" a female voice exclaimed, the sound cutting through the general buzz of the restaurant.
The woman in question was less than an inch shorter than Aelin, with pale blonde hair and cerulean eyes. She wore a tight, cream dress that, admittedly, looked lovely against her ivory skin, but still something about her grated Aelin.
She walked straight up to the taller man and rested a hand on his arm. Aelin couldn't help but notice him tense under the touch. "You are even better looking than I imagined, not that my friend told me much at all other than what you'd be wearing."
"Join the club," Aelin chuckled, getting the attention of the entire group.
"Was I talking to you?" the woman snapped, causing Aelin's mouth to open slightly in shock.
"No, but it might behoove you to realize that these guys are wearing the same outfit, so clothes aren't a telling factor," Aelin explained. "Don't suppose anyone got a name from whomever set them up?"
Chaol furrowed his brows at that. "No, I was just told that my date would be blonde with bright blue eyes." He looked Aelin over, and once again she felt herself wanting to shrink slightly. It was like he was already picturing something Aelin doubted she could provide. And the way he said my date, the tone made it sound like a possession more than a person.
"Not helpful information," the other man argued, speaking up for the first time. His voice was low, with the soft lilt of an accent that sent Aelin's heart racing. His eyes remained fixed on Aelin, as if they were as glued to her as she felt to him. Something she'd never experienced before. She watched as he attempted to shake free of the woman, but she now had both arms practically wrapped around one of his. "However, I-"
"I was told my date would be tall, hot, and perfect," the other female interrupted, her eyes not leaving Silver Hair.
He frowned at that, as if he had no interest in being complimented by this woman, especially at the expense of a man he likely didn't know. Even if they had been glaring at each other when Aelin arrived.
The man went to open his mouth, but before he could utter a sound the woman started again. "It's quite plain, to me, who belongs with whom. Clearly, this man," she pointed at Chaol, "is just as confident that you're his date as I am that this hunk is mine. What's your name?" Her eyes were back on Silver Hair.
"Rowan, bu-"
"Rowan! How lovely!" Aelin hated to agree with this woman, but she was right. The name suited him. Like it was originally designed for him and him alone. "I'm Remelle. See, we even have the alliteration going."
"Did yo-" Aelin started, only to be cut off.
"Makes sense to me," Chaol added, taking a step closer to Aelin. Despite their proximity, however, he didn't actually reach for her.
Well, at least he seemed to understand the concept of consent, unlike this woman…Remelle. It didn't make Aelin more interested in him.
Aelin shrugged. "I'm not yet convinced. All I got was tall, hot, and grey sweater," she sighed. "I don't mean to be difficult, b-"
"Then stop arguing," Remelle hissed, her stare throwing daggers at Aelin.
Finally breaking free of her hold, Rowan stepped away from the clingy witch, closer to Aelin and Chaol. "If you'll let me share my information, I believe I can sort this out." His eyes bore into Aelin's when he spoke up again. "I was told that I'd be meeting my friend's cousin, and that she has the same golden hair and turquoise eyes as him."
Aelin's breathing hitched, even as a smile formed on her face at the tell-all clue. "Why didn't you say so, earlier?" she asked with amusement.
"No chance," he sighed, rolling his eyes, even as a smile matching hers spread on his lips.
"Well, I guess that settles it," Aelin decreed. "Because I was set up by my best friend - and cousin's girlfriend - with a good friend of my cousin." She watched - with no small amount of satisfaction - Remelle's face fall, her eyes narrowing. "Do the names Lysandra and Aedion ring a bell?"
"They do," he answered, laughter lighting his eyes. "Aedion isn't exactly happy about the date, but Lys was so persistent I had to agree."
"I just enjoy getting on Aedion's nerves any way I can," Aelin explained simply before turning to Remelle. "I guess that settles it."
If they were in a cartoon, Aelin was certain Remelle's eyes would have little flames in them as steam shot out of her ears.
"Perhaps the four of us could eat together," Chaol suggested tentatively. "And see what happens from there?"
Rowan inhaled sharply. "No can do. I have time sensitive plans for Aelin and me, for after dinner. This little debacle has delayed us enough that I'll have to take her somewhere that'll be able to serve us faster, if you're alright with that?" He directed the final piece toward her and Aelin felt a warmth spread through her entire body.
"I am," she agreed. "I love it when a date involves more than a meal."
Remelle crossed her arms and huffed loudly. "You don't have to take her."
"If you'd ever met her cousin, you'd know that I do," he chuckled, taking his place at Aelin's side. A tension entirely different from what was felt between the group of four arose in the space between them, and Aelin found her body instinctively leaning closer to Rowan. "Not that I couldn't take him, but we'd both end up rather injured."
Chaol was just standing there, a bit dumbfounded, and clearly uncomfortable. Aelin felt a bit bad for him. He may not give her the best vibes, but she could tell he wasn't wholly bad, and he definitely deserved better than this bitch. He just wasn't right for her.
"You know, just because we're leaving doesn't mean you have to stay," Aelin offered with a mischievous smile. "You'd likely be able to find a better date…pretty much anywhere. There's a bar on tenth and Antica, called Torre Cesme. I know a lot of great girls that frequent it. There's one in particular who…well…you're exactly her type." She winked and Chaol nodded gratefully, but he stayed there, likely curious to see what Remelle would do when they left.
"We could meet up some other time, then," Remelle suggested to Rowan, having completely ignored Aelin's side comments to Chaol.
Rowan took Aelin's hand, gentle enough to allow her to pull away if she wanted to. She chose, instead, to wrap her fingers around his.
"Sure," he said, the lie clear in his voice. "I'll call you." And before Remelle had the chance to realize they hadn't exchanged numbers, Rowan was pulling Aelin through the restaurant and out the door.
The two walked for a few minutes in no particular direction, both looking over their shoulder to see if Chaol or Remelle reappeared.
"Well, that was interesting," Aelin sighed as they turned the corner and the entrance to the restaurant was no longer in sight.
Rowan nodded in agreement, exhaling loudly. "I'll say. I'm…very glad you ended up being my date. Not that I ever doubted it."
"Well, you actually had useful information," Aelin teased. "However, I'm glad you ended up being my date as well. Even though I probably would have fared a bit better had that not been the case." She scrunched her face up at him, earning a breathy laugh. "So, what are these big plans you had for us?"
Aelin noticed the hint of a blush start to form at the tips of Rowan's ears. "Um…I don't, actually…I mean, I did think we could go for a walk in the park after dinner, but I didn't plan anything specific."
Aelin couldn't help but laugh loudly at that revelation. "So you lied to get away from Remelle?" She'd do the same thing, if she were being honest.
"Guilty," he muttered. "Though, I am sorry I didn't plan something else, seeing as you like it when dates 'involve more than a meal'."
It was Aelin's turn to blush faintly. "Sorry, but don't worry about that! Tricking and ditching a horrendous witch can count in that category, too." She grinned up at Rowan, who beamed back at her.
"A proper first date. I don't know why it's not a more popular activity. I guess we can let Lysandra know we fulfilled our duties." His voice was amused, but his face seemed serious as he paused in the middle of the sidewalk, looking back. "Would you…I don't know…would you like to maybe try again some time?"
"A second date?"
"Yeah, a second date. Something a bit longer and a bit more focused on us actually getting to know each other."
Aelin's smile grew impossibly wider. "I'd love to. My date tonight got cut short, I haven't even eaten yet. If you're free."
Rowan chuckled softly and Aelin thought she might actually swoon at the sound. "I am. As luck would have it, I also find myself out of a date much sooner than expected. Do you need to get your car?"
"No," Aelin replied, shaking her head. "I walked."
"Me too. So, since clearly my ability to choose a place isn't up to par, how about you choose?" he offered, adjusting their hands so that their fingers were intertwined. The contact sent an electric jolt through Aelin, even as her body settled into the easy position, her hand seeming to fit perfectly in Rowan's.
"That bar I mentioned is pretty close, and it has good food and drinks. Want to go there and bet on if and when Chaol shows up?" Aelin suggested.
Rowan smiled widely at the idea. "Sounds good, but don't tell me who that girl was you mentioned. I want to see if I can figure it out for myself."
"It's a deal," Aelin agreed, her entire face lighting up at the challenges being laid out.
At that agreement, their second date began, and Aelin had a gut feeling that she'd seen the last of first dates - blind or not - in her life.