imperfect together

" so give me a call when you're done with work." I feel

"Where are you going?" I asked, glancing at the large bag he was holding. "I'm taking these clothes to get dry cleaned, then I'll be hanging out with the guys for about four hours before heading home. What about you?" I could feel my cheeks turning red as I looked at his clothes. "I'm working this afternoon and I'll finish by 7 pm," I said while trying to hail a taxi. "Edie, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" I nodded and replied, "Yeah, I would." He grinned and helped me whistle for a cab, which then pulled up right in front of us. "I know a spot that serves delicious food."

It was a nice day at the radio station as I tried to discuss with the program editor what type of show I wanted to create. Back in LA, I seemed like the ideal girl in the perfect relationship, giving tips on how to keep a guy. Meanwhile, Dylan was out cheating on me with every girl in a skirt. Everyone thought of me as the ideal Edie Evans, but I wanted to prove that I’m not as perfect as they believed. That night, I received a text on my phone, and it was from Liam.

Liam :: Hi Edie, don't be frightened, it's me, Liam. Just checking to see if we are still up for that dinner tonight?

I think he likes me, but I have been with my fair share of men to know not to jump to conclusions.

Edie: Yeah, we still are. I just got off work and am heading towards you now. Although, I don't know where to meet you.

Liam :: Okay, see you soon. Meet me at Jean-Georges restaurant at 1 Central Park West.

Edie : Okay, I will see you soon.

Later, I walk through the front door of Jean-Georges. I tell the waitress I am here to meet someone, to which she nods. I look around the restaurant only to find Liam standing behind me.

"Looking for someone?" I could tell by his calm, soothing voice.

"Hey Liam, did you just get here?" He chuckles.

"Maybe. I'm trying to act like I haven't spent the last hour waiting." I chuckle as we walk back to his table.

He waves at the waiter. "I hope it wasn't too stressful getting here?" I nod.

"No, it wasn't. Traffic was fair," he flushes.

The waiter walks up to our table, greeting Liam in a very polite and familiar tone.

"Good evening, Mr. Warren," he gives her a small smile, as if it's not their first encounter.

"Good, Daisy. Please get us a bottle of Champagne." His eyes run through the menu with his long fingers.

"Will you like to place your order now?" I nod, staring into my menu. It's a menu.

"I will have the Raviolo," he flushes. Andrew nods, writing my order down on a small notepad. "I will have Sogliola," he tells him, and he nods . "Your order is coming right up."

We set aside the menu and he is staring at me.

"Edie, I couldn't help it. I wanted to know more about you, so I asked Joey," I raise my brow. He holds his breath, but I burst out chuckling.

"You can ask me whatever you want to know?" He nods with a soft grin.

"Well, that's true. I'm sorry for asking behind your back," I put my hands under my chin.

"Hmm…do you always apologize?"

"I think it's by default. Growing up, I lived in a foster home and my parents weren't so loving," he says, looking embarrassed.

I don't want him to feel sorry or embarrassed.

"I was adopted too. I know what you mean, Liam. There's no need to be embarrassed about it," he flushes, but his smile does not reach his eyes.

"You were adopted. What happened to your parents, if you don't mind me asking?" I shudder, thinking of the sad incident from my past.

"My mom died at birth, and my dad was wrongly convicted of murder when I was only twelve. He couldn't take it, so he committed suicide two months after his death. The real murderer was found." His eyes are staring at me. I think he doesn't know what to say. "I'm sorry about your parents," he finally lets out.

"It's okay, Liam. I mean, I can talk about it now because it happened a long time ago," I flushed.

We remained quiet for five minutes before the meal arrived.

"You know, I was going through a midlife crisis and I bought a dog and a cat. Turns out I'm not a cat person," I stared at him for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

"Midlife crisis?" He flushed.

"Yeah, midlife crisis. Has it never happened to you?" He asked, and I chuckled.

"Nope, it hasn't. I get midlife crisis, but mid age?" He scratched his nose nervously.

"I might have made that word up, but I did get a cat and a dog," I grinned as he continued.

"I'm glad I made you laugh."

"Yeah, mid age crisis. I'm sure I'm gonna use that word," he picked up his cutlery.

When I heard his name being called out by someone behind me.

We both turned, and there was Conrad, with a beautiful lady with straight legs. She must have been 6 feet tall or more.

"Conrad, hey man," they both shook hands, and I said hi to the lady he was with.

"Hi, Edie," I flushed.

"Hi, Conrad," I said politely.

"What are you two doing here?" He asked, as if he couldn't see that we were both having dinner together on a date.

"I asked Edie to join me to come eat dinner," he chuckled.

"I guess there are things she's into," he stared intently into my eyes, not minding the fact that I was with Liam or the lady next to him.

"Who doesn't like food?"I ask, but a waitress comes back."

"Mr. Howard, we have a table for you now," he flushes brightly.

"that's my cue, I'm gonna leave you two to whatever you were doing," Liam nods, bidding him goodbye.

"I'm sorry about Conrad, he usually comes off as rude," I say as I hold his hand.

"Liam, please stop feeling the need to apologize. He's a grown man," I say as I take a deep breath.

"I wanna go touch up my face, don't leave," he points me in the direction of the restroom. As I walk towards the restroom, I exhale.

Something about Conrad just makes me angry.

I wait for the cue, trying to use the restroom. When I finally use the restroom, I come out, wash my hands, and head out.

"Hey, Edie," Conrad is waiting outside the restroom. He leans casually back against the wall, his long legs wearing blue jeans and a cream-colored shirt.

"Why are you not with your date?" I ask, but he grins a little.

"So you like boring men?" I'm immediately turned off by his comment.

" shouldn't you be with your date?" He nods.

"She knows I'm not a man who is committed to one woman," I nod, trying to leave, but he is standing in front of me now.

"Come on, Edie, I know you like me. I mean, the look you gave me on Friday tells me you want me, so why don't we just have fun?" I guess he doesn't just sound rude; he is rude.

Thank you for the offer, Conrad, but I no longer associate with "fuck boys." "I'm just kidding; he seems like my next mistake, but I won't let him speak to me that way. I head back to Liam and tell him that I want to go home, but he offers to give me a ride."