get me out of my mind

The brunette watched for his expression when tasting the snack, trying to see if he enjoyed it, or just played along liking it. “I have a class at four, so I’ll get out around six-thirty, if that’s okay?” The blood rushed once more to her cheeks, creating a pink hue, “I’m looking forward to it as well.” She was very interested in this man, he seemed kind and down to earth, or so she hoped. 

He grinned. “Sounds good. I’ll leave work after lunch. I’ll give you my address and a spectacular dinner to hopefully impress you entirely will be waiting!” He chuckled. He joked, but if he could impress her, well that would be quite nice. “What’s your favorite cuisine of food? Any special requests? Dietary restrictions I should know about?”

“Wait, is there more? Because if so, I’m gonna need an exclusive date with this menu, here,” he wheedled, grinning at his friend. He was a talented guy, and Niko never resisted an urge to make someone feel good about themselves. “You’re biased, my friend,” he chuckled, and rolled his eyes fondly. “But what are looks compared to culinary prowess? You have lots of that and I, sadly, have none. I can’t even make popcorn without burning it.”

“You bet your ass there is, Nowak! Plenty more where that came from.” He grinned. “Well, what I lack in face, I make up for in skill. That’s what wins over all the ladies.” He chuckled. “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll just make you some truffle popcorn and you won’t have to burn down your apartment in the process.”

10 what are your go-to love songs?

“I Will Always Love You” - Whitney Houston... a classic. 

11 are you more of a flirt or a hopeless romantic?

Kinda both? Depends on the human!

12 what would be your ideal date?

Take out & a good movie. Tried & true. 

13 do you have a crush on the person you last kissed?

I didn’t know their name? So.... no?

“Ironically enough, given the fact that I have been captain of a couple USA hockey teams, Captain America has been an assigned nickname before,” Anders chuckled. “Really, it’s not a big deal at all. I like to cook, and my girlfriend likes to eat, so really, it’s a perfect marriage for both of us. My mom’s pizza recipe is probably my shining star, but I’d happily go fancier for the big shot chef if necessary. What sounds good to you?”

“Oh my god. But that nickname is so perfect! Oh jeeze, I’m not only friends with a hockey superstar, but Captain America! What a world!” He chuckled, sipping his beer. “Pizza would be great, Ders. I’m a New Yorker though and though. Pizza is always a choice meal.”

A smile erupted across her features, “Thank you,” she replied in a soft tone. Alice tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and sipped on her water, sobering herself up for the trip home. She popped a deep fried pickle in her mouth and let out a hushed moan, “God these things are delicious,” she stated after the food was gone from her mouth. “A date,” she repeated back, fighting her urge to cheer for herself. 

Her smile really was something. It’s like she lit up the whole room. That was certainly something nice, Pat noticed. He took one of the pickles, popping it into his mouth. It was good, sure. But he aimed to wow her with his cooking. “Are you free tomorrow night? I wouldn’t want to keep you out too late, or anything, what with your school schedule. But I... I’m definitely looking forward to spending more time with you.”

“That’s really great,” she replied, loving the idea of him taking his profession to heart, much like she did. “Flannels? Hmm, I mean you do look pretty good in this one, so I can see why.” Her words fell out faster then her filter could stop them. “I uh, I have a collection of old records at my office, I can bring my record player over and maybe we can listen to some while we eat?” Perks of teaching vocals, you can get your hands on even the rarest of records. A light giggle left her lips as he explained his plan not including her death. “Well I’d like to learn more about you too, Patrick.” 

She was flirting back, even if she was a bit embarrassed at the fact that she was. And that was exceptionally exciting for Pat. “I look good, eh?” He grinned, crinkles next to his eyes. “I’d have to say that you do too.” He nodded, smiling even wider. Somehow he had managed to score a dinner date with the cute, lovely girl at the bar. And that was pretty extraordinary, in his eyes. “Well, then it’s a date.”

“There’s also the fact that it can’t talk back,” Ares laughed. “‘f I need it to shut up, it will. I can’t promise my mum I’ll kick it with all of my liver in my body and not totally fuckin’ trollied, but at least I’ll go out having fun, eh?”

“Yes! Alcohol will only ever support my bad or stupid decisions! A true loyal companion.” He laughed. “Always having a blast, even when I’m on the brink of disaster. That works for me!”

“I mean, I can honestly say that I wouldn’t blame you..snow is some scary shit to have to travel in anyways,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders. “I say you do what you gotta do.”

“Right? So many people don’t seem to understand that, but I fucking detest traveling in the snow. It’s a disaster. Especially with the MTA. A true scam.” He grinned. “Thanks, pal. I like a vote of agreement.”

“Hey, give me some credit here, Pat. I said you could make something that’s more adventurous than usual. Sure, it’s still grilled cheese, but I’m trusting you enough to say if it’s not too out there I’ll try it. That’s a big step for me. And if I like it, I might try some more things!”

“Fine, fine. Major props for taking one food risk for the first time in your life!” He only joked. Sure, food was certainly the most important thing in Patrick’s life. But at the end of the day, everyone had different tastes. And he had to respect that, at its core. “I’ll make you the best damn grilled cheese there’s ever been. And that’s a promise.”

“My sister bartended while she was in college, and my brother in law used to work at Walmart as a student, and after all those stories of entitled customers and just the sheer chaos of it, I have full respect for people who work in the restaurant industry and in retail. I try to make it easier for my cashiers, waitstaff, and bartenders.” 

Hearing Patrick talk about cooking and the restaurant made Alice grin, his enthusiasm was enlightening. “That’s great, it’s rare to find someone working with things they’re passionate about and it’s actually really refreshing.” Another loose giggle escaped her lips, a nervous tick, and she went to take a sip before having only ice crashing into her lips. Her cheeks once more flushed before she turned to the bartender and asked for another drink, water this time. “Well that all depends, are you planning to kill me?” Her question was a joke, and the tone also shared that idea, but then again she did just meet this guy at night in a bar. But something about him just made her trust him, was it stupid, probably, but she wanted  to trust him. 

“Hey, I’m not super passionate about a lot. I’m passionate about the Yankees, and flannel shirt, and old records. Not too much else. But I’m definitely passionate about my restaurant. And cooking. And food. And having people try my food! It’s a beautiful thing, making food for people. Certainly puts a smile on my face.” He grinned, chuckling. “Hey, I’m all about peace! No killing here. And honestly killing you would be a shame. I want to get to know you more! Ending that seems counterintuitive, you feel?”

“Wow! That’s actually amazing, what brought you to opening your own place up?” She could only imagine the dedication it took to run and own a place, and yes it sounded fun but also terrifying. “Ahava,” she whispered while writing it down on a page she was grading. “I would love to check it out, do you have some down time that would be best for me to stop by?” In other words, when was the best time for her to come by and talk to him. Alice giggled nervously, “Of course!” The blue eyed girl tore a piece of paper and wrote down her number. 

“I was interested in cooking since I was really little. After culinary school, I worked in a few restaurants around the city. And that was great! But I wanted to make my own choices. So I used all of the money I could and made my own place. But, I’ve made it back and more. It’s a really great place.” He smiled. “Well, I’m usually in the back, cooking up a storm. But I’d like to actually spend time with you, so why I don’t I make you my favorite courses off the menu. But in my apartment. I can talk to you and you can see how I work my magic?”

“Yeah, we enjoyed it. Really? Maybe one of these years, you’ll see them. The shopping season, though, is fucking chaotic. I never worked in retail, but I have full respect of people who currently do or used to.” 

“Oh hell yes. I will pretty much never turn down food.”

“Come to Ahava. You gotta burger on me, Flint. Bring a date! Why not? Make it a fun evening.”

“Yeah, that would probably be good. I guess i’d try something more interesting than that, maybe I’m just not quite at brie yet. That’s like 0 to 100. Isn’t there another option in the middle? Like not something so childish, but also not so fancy?”

“Your pickiness might send me to my death one day, but by god, I’m going to make you a grilled cheese that will make you weak in the knees. That’s my life’s mission at this point, O’Callahan.”

“And as such, you are required to complain incessantly about the weather without offering some real solutions to your problems, I get it, I get it. As long as I’ve lived here, I still can’t drop my inner Wisconsinite, and nor do I want to. I’m only like moderately nice, but by comparison to you all it seems like I’m the child of Gandhi and Nelson Mandela,” Anders chuckled. “Tell you what? Next time the National Weather Service is predicting a weather event of catastrophic proportions, you can close down, come over to my place and I’ll cook for you. You get your day off and your food, only from me it’s free.”

“Of course! If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be a true New Yorker. Honestly, I don’t make the rules. Just live by ‘em.” He grinned. “It’s like you’re a superhero, man. It’s kind of infuriating. But also kind of wonderful.” He chuckled. “Awww, man! Look at you being so nice. I’d love that. Have a chance to lay back and observe, for once.”