The evening was exactly how I had planned it: soft candlelight casting a warm glow, a bottle of wine waiting to be uncorked, and the possibility of moving things to a deeper level with Susan. But everything turned upside down the moment my coworker burst into the restaurant, her three kids trailing behind her like a whirlwind. That night, everything I thought I knew took a sharp, unexpected turn.
This was my third date with Susan, and I had high hopes for it. We met on Tinder, where her profile had stood out with her witty humor and effortless charm. After two amazing dates and a long, romantic walk in the park, I was ready to take things to the next level. Tonight felt like the night where things would really click.
I had chosen a small, hidden Italian restaurant, far from the usual city chaos. It was quiet, intimate, and perfect for good food, wine, and meaningful conversation. The kind of place that made you feel like the world outside didn’t exist.
When Susan walked in, I felt my breath hitch. She was wearing a navy-blue dress that hugged her figure just right, her hair flowing in soft waves over her shoulders. Her smile was radiant, and for a moment, I thought, This is going to be amazing.
The waiter had just placed a basket of fresh bread on our table, its aroma filling the air, when the door to the restaurant slammed open. The sound was so loud it turned heads, including mine. At first, I didn’t pay it much attention, but then I heard a voice I recognized all too well.
“Rob! What a coincidence seeing you here!”
I froze, my hand hovering mid-reach toward a breadstick. There, at the entrance, was Linda from accounting. She was wearing one of her bold, colorful dresses that could never blend into the restaurant’s cozy atmosphere.
But what really caught my eye wasn’t her outfit—it was the three kids beside her. They were an unstoppable ball of energy, their laughter and chatter breaking through the restaurant’s otherwise peaceful vibe.
“Linda?” I said, my voice a mix of shock and disbelief. What was she doing here?
She didn’t hesitate. With the confidence of someone who owned the place, she walked right up to our table. Her kids followed, their energy bubbling over.
“You didn’t tell me you’d be here tonight!” she said cheerfully, completely ignoring the fact that I was very clearly on a date.
Susan looked at me, her eyebrows raised. “Friend of yours?” she asked, her tone polite but cautious.
“She’s a coworker,” I explained quickly, trying to keep my voice steady. But before I could say anything else, Linda was already pulling out a chair for her youngest.
“It’s so busy in here tonight,” she said, helping her toddler settle in. “Hope you don’t mind us joining you.” She reached over and grabbed a breadstick as if she belonged there.
Oh, I minded. I minded more than I could put into words.
Linda was a fascinating woman, no doubt about it. A single mom raising three kids—ages two, eight, and twelve—from two failed relationships, she was a force to be reckoned with.
At work, she was sharp, witty, and always seemed in control. People admired her resilience and independence, myself included. But I admired her from a distance. She wasn’t just out of my league; she was in a league of her own.
Now, sitting at the table with her kids, the energy that usually made her impressive felt overwhelming.
“Linda, what’s going on?” I whispered, glancing nervously at Susan, who was watching the scene unfold with growing irritation.
Linda didn’t seem to notice—or care. She placed a hand on mine, a gesture that sent my anxiety through the roof. “You promised to watch the kids tonight,” she said, loud enough for Susan to hear. “And here you are… on a date?”
Susan’s eyes widened, her voice sharp as she said, “Excuse me?”
“Oh, don’t mind me,” Linda continued, waving a hand dismissively. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. But Rob has been spending a lot of time with us.”
I could see Susan’s patience evaporating by the second. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. “I don’t know what kind of situation this is, but it’s not one I want to be part of.”
“Wait, Susan, it’s not what it looks like!” I pleaded, but Linda cut me off with a smug grin.
“You should’ve been honest with her, Rob,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “She deserved to know the truth.”
“Linda, enough!” I snapped, feeling my face burn with embarrassment as other diners turned to stare.
Susan grabbed her purse, her tone icy. “You clearly have some unresolved issues to deal with. Good luck.” And just like that, she walked out of my life.
I stood to follow her, but Linda’s youngest had latched onto my leg, his sticky little hands holding me in place. The restaurant had gone quiet, all eyes on us.
“Linda, what are you doing?” I asked through clenched teeth. “You just ruined my date.”
She didn’t flinch. “You should be thanking me.”
“Thanking you? For what? Humiliating me?”
Linda calmly pulled out her phone, scrolling for a moment before holding it up. “For saving you.”
I frowned, confused, until I saw the screen. It was a mugshot of Susan. My heart sank. “What is this?”
“My brother’s a cop,” Linda explained. “She’s wanted for fraud. She cons men into relationships, gains their trust, and then robs them blind. When I saw your Instagram post, I recognized her.”
I felt the room spin as her words sunk in. “Why didn’t you just call me?”
“I tried,” she said, her voice softer. “But when I saw you here, I panicked. I couldn’t risk her slipping away.”
Her explanation didn’t erase the humiliation, but it did put things into perspective. Linda, in her chaotic and unorthodox way, had saved me.
“Are we eating or not?” her eldest asked, breaking the tension.
I let out a surprised laugh. “Fine. Dinner’s on me.”
Linda smiled, a rare softness in her eyes. “Alright, Rob. But dessert’s on you.”
Two years later, Linda and I are a family. Her kids call me Dad, and she still insists I owe her a thank-you. Every day, I make sure to give her one.
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