Lessons After Midnight (mxm)

Chapter 7

Me: Would you be open to going to dinner with me? I was thinking tomorrow evening.

There was a pause before he responded again.

Erick: Of course. Where would you like to go?

Me: I'm not familiar with many restaurants in the area

Erick: How does Heure Merveilleuse sound? It is French.

After confirming with him about the restaurant, I looked it up online. As I previewed the menu and looked at photos, I realized Heure Merveilleuse was far from the kind of place that I was used to—this was high end, luxurious dining. One dinner wouldn't hurt.

It's been so long since I've had to ask someone on a date. It never gets easier either. Sometimes I feel as though women have it much easier in that aspect where the norm is that the man asks out the woman. But what about when the scenario is two men?

Erick texted me the information for the reservations less than a moment later. Reservations for tomorrow night, Friday night, which meant I could stay out as late as I wanted since it's not like I'd have to teach at eight am the very next day.

I was of course excited, but also a bit nervous. I remember how nervous I was when Matthew and I spent our first few nights out together. Tip toeing around one another until we became comfortable.

I didn't want to tip toe around Erick, though. Something in me told me that Erick was a tough one to crack.

The next afternoon, after wrapping up my last class, Ben suggested we stop by the coffee shop he frequented. He had canceled his Literature lecture earlier, stating that he 'wasn't feeling up for it'.

Turns out he had skipped his morning coffee, leaving him in a rather foul mood. Sometimes I wonder how people could rely so heavily on caffeine. I respected the fact that he canceled his class, instead of showing up and being ticked off whilst teaching.

The coffee shop was just a short walk from our lecture hall. They had a limited menu of small pastries and snacks to pair with their specialty drinks. As soon as we stepped inside, there was the regular college image of students doing homework accompanied by the quiet presence of one another.

The soft sound of instrumental music filled the room, replacing the stillness of the shop. It was a cute place that seemed perfect for studying, especially for students who couldn't stand to study alone in their silent dorm rooms.

Ben had told me that this was the coffee shop that he'd always stop by when he brought me coffee. From an outsider's perspective, it almost seemed like Ben was flirting with me. Bringing me coffee nearly daily while also treating me to lunches occasionally. I didn't want to mistake kindness for affection.

"You seem happy," Ben chuckled as we picked up our coffees from the counter after ordering.

"You can tell?" I asked, a smile on my face. "I have a date tonight that I'm looking forward to."

I mentioned as we took a seat at one of the empty tables with our drinks.

"Oh? Who's the lucky lady?" He asked with a mischievous grin as he took a sip.

"He's someone I met a few weeks ago." I subtly corrected without drawing too much attention to his mistake. I understood why he'd think I was with a woman though. I didn't consider myself to appear openly gay. "It's going to be our second date," I added.

"He?" Ben asked, scrunching his eyebrows as he looked over to me, unable to hide his initial reaction.

I took a deep breath, ready for a sigh as I spoke."Yes," I think I had my answer when it comes to possible flirting from Ben.