Chapter 3

“Zarek, tonight’s our date. So what do you have in mind? Anything special for me? Come on, I know you’re romantic.”

“I was thinking a nice seaside dinner at a fancy restaurant. Maybe a quick stroll along the sands after that. Finish it up sitting together and just watching the sunset together in a nice quiet place. I know just where we can find all of the above.”

“Oh Zarek, it sounds perfect. I thought you had work tonight though? Won’t you be late, or tired? And doesn’t Blake have an appointment this evening?”

“Crimson, our date comes first today. I let the hospital know I would be late, and if there’s an emergency then I should be a last resort. Nothing should spoil this evening for us, and Blake rescheduled.”

Zarek had thought of everything for his date with Crimson. And it was no coincidence he had picked this day. The same day Drake entered office as prime minister. He wanted everything to be special. And while he was being perfectly charming another couple was trying to plan their evening.

“Come on Billy, let’s take a little break from this lab. Do something romantic for once. You can spend time with me out of the house you know.”

“But Anna, me experiments. An’ James coming later.”

Anna knew when she married Billy that he was a huge geek, always playing with his gadgets and experiments. Still, she wanted to have at least an occasional night out with him. It wasn’t often he’d find time to get away from the lab. “You just don’t know how to be romantic do you? I’m your wife, and one night won’t kill you. Something, anything romantic for a nice evening.”

Well, she was right. Billy knew he wasn’t exactly great when it came to romance. After all, there was that one night where he apparently ruined the mood for love. He still didn’t know why she suddenly told him to forget about it. All he did was try and explain his feelings. Someone else did though. “I’ll be right back, don’t move, don’t go anywhere. Hollon a sec.”

It was so embarrassing, but he ran to the phone in another room and called, of all people, his daughter. She was living with her mom most of the time, his ex wife. He really didn’t know who else he could call, and she liked Anna a lot too. “Uh… hi. I uh… I need some advice. What’s a romantic evening for Anna?”

“Dad? How can you be married to her and not know? She kind of likes the beach, dinner’s always a good idea. Did you just have no one else to call or what?”

“Thanks. Uh… nobody else came to mind. Love you sweety.”

Billy, still rather embarrassed that he had to call his daughter for advice, walked back out to Anna. “Nice seaside dinner? Romantic enough?”

Anna smiled. So what if he had to call someone for advice, at least he came up with a nice evening plan. Now if only she could get him to think of this more often. “Perfect. Well what are we standing around here for, let’s get ready and go. Hope they aren’t too busy. Sarah can watch the lab while we’re out.”

Zarek had been smart when he set up his date with Crimson. Called well in advance and had them reserve a table especially for the situation, one with a nice view out to the beach. That evening he and Crimson got their perfect spot just as he planned. Everything was perfect, the menu had all of her favorites, and even something for him. Which was kind of surprising, a carnivore and a vegetarian both finding something they could enjoy in one restaurant.

Billy and Anna came in soon after Zarek finished his order. The waiter at the front of the restaurant looked around and tried to tell them there weren’t any tables available. Zarek hadn’t noticed anything yet, but Crimson heard how they would have to wait. They seemed like a nice couple to her, and she had one of the kindest hearts on the whole island.

“Waiter, you can just pull up two more seats here for them. Please? No need to make them wait all day, we don’t mind sharing a table.”

Zarek knew his date too well. When she said something it was pointless to argue. Besides, sharing the table wouldn’t totally ruin their night. That is… until he saw who his date just invited over. While the waiter went off to find two chairs Zarek almost hyperventilated. “Oh my god Crimson, do you know who that is? Billy Brown, one of the greatest minds on the whole island. Super genius, brilliant scientist, my idol, and probably the only reason I ever got interested in mechanics. Thank you thank you thank you, I’m so glad you noticed them. I… do you have a pen, I have to get his autograph or something.”

“Uh, sure. Here, glad you don’t mind sharing. So who’s that with him?”

“I think that’s his wife, but who cares? Billy Brown is going to sit at the same table with us. I… I’m… what should I say? Do you think he’s even heard of me?”

The waiter returned with two chairs and menus as Zarek nearly jumped out of his seat to help. Before poor Billy could even sit down he was already shaking his hand and praising him. Anna sighed and sat down next to Crimson. “So I’m not the only one who loves a geek?”

“Nope, Zarek’s my geek and I wouldn’t trade him for anyone. Just… it would be nice if he’d stop focusing on your husband and look at me again. I haven’t understood a word they’ve said so far.”

Anna laughed. It was nice to know she wasn’t alone in her situation. “I’m Anna, and I guess our dates are kind of over. If your man’s anything like Billy, they won’t stop talking for hours. The price we pay for loving geeks.”

Crimson smiled and took Anna’s hand. “I’m Crimson. Well, they’re geeks but at least they’re ours.”