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Steve had matched with Eddie on Tinder a while back. When he’d first seen the other man’s profile, Steve hadn’t been sure they’d have anything in common. However, Eddie was cute and Steve was new to the city, so he didn’t have much to lose. So, he swiped right.
Turned out they’d had enough similarities to continue talking past basic introductory conversations. Steve had come to enjoy the way they snarked back and forth with each other in a way that felt natural.
Now, they were finally meeting in person for the first time. Eddie had suggested a Chinese restaurant located equidistant between their apartments, so neither would have to travel further than the other. It was some hole-in-the-wall place Steve passed by every day without a second glance. But the reviews were stellar, so of course Steve was game.
Eddie’s profile did not do the man justice. With his perfectly touselled curls, extensive collection of complimentary piercings, and expressive (gorgeous) face, he looked like a professional rockstar who’d walked right out of Steve’s wet dreams.
Look, Steve knew that he wasn’t a bad-looking dude. Not to sound too self-absorbed, but he knew he was a knock-out. But next to Eddie, Steve second-guessed himself. Was he attractive enough for him? Was his boy-next-door charm enough to keep Eddie interested?
Needless to say, he was nervous, which was abnormal. Steve Harrington didn’t get nervous on dates.
But as they chatted and Eddie smiled at him, his heartbeat sped up.
He felt relieved when their main courses were set in front of them. He needed the distraction.
He picked up his chopsticks and mimicked how Eddie held his. He tried to pick up some of his rice, but it slipped right through his chopsticks.
“Shit.”
“Here, let me . . .”
Sparks of electricity shot through Steve’s veins as Eddie grabbed ahold of his hand and repositioned it around the bamboo utensils. It reminded him of dates back in high school when he’d take girls to play mini golf just so he could have an excuse to wrap his arms around them. Being on the other side of it felt no less thrilling.
With Eddie’s approval, he tried again, this time picking up a few grains of rice. “Oh my god, I’m doing it.”
“I knew you could, Stevie.”
He flushed. Eddie’s dimples made an appearance.
Oh, he was a goner.
“I had a great teacher.”