Blossom: Melbourne Girls, #2

By Nina M

Online dating ain't shit. Asiya Wambui isn't subscribing to the harrowing fear of 'dirty thirty' is approaching, but she wants more than boring chit-chat that goes nowhere within five minutes. Disclaimer; all her dates have been that so far. For the culture, she's willing to take one last dip into online dating before throwing herself on the bed and crying about the failure.

Nathan Kilovia, is hoping one of these blind dates will lead to something, but his current date is so unexpected.

Is lady luck on his side this time round?

Had the answer been right under their noses this whole time?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nina M
• Release date: May 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201898540

Nina M

Nina M is a paranormal author, who enjoys creating worlds filled with magic and characters who fight for love despite the chances. She's an avid reader finding her way of expression as well as finding a way back to her roots.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I t’s just a date, I yelped when Sarai smacked my arm as I passed by. I bumped her while she cleared the mess on the floor. I was happy with how her hair looked for her night out with her man on his annual work party.

Those two had been going strong, but then things went off the rails after parenthood came into the picture.They were now looking at things through different lens and making it work. For a while there though, I’d been worried.

Yeah, the dates you never say anything about. I mean, are you even going on them or just making them up so we won’t set you up with one of our friends or colleagues? she asked just as I cleared her door prompting me to turn back.

Set me up with—

Sarai cackled at what I’m sure was between a constipated and shocked expression on my face at her words.

I’m joking. Now go. I want to hear all about it tomorrow. She made shooing motions, still smirking.

Shaking my head, I walked into the living room where a rowdy Elly, their darling girl and my goddaughter, and our friend, Moni, were tumbling on the floor with a few hostage stuffed animals as victims of whatever game they were playing.

"I’m going now. Have to get ready for my date," I announced.

Brown eyes full of mirth, Moni’s brows rose. Who is it this time?

Ugh. I rolled my eyes at her smirking face and scooped up a jovial Elly, smothering her face with kisses. Will you miss me, little Elly? I asked and blew a raspberry on her chest over her dress, making her squeal.

Yes.Yes. I wii miff youuu, she said between giggles.

With a final kiss and a hug from Moni I left.

Two hours later, I was dolled up and at the venue but I wasn’t feeling ready for this date. Sucking in a breath, I eyed Chez Olivier Le Bistro’s restaurant door for a few seconds before exhaling and walked in. The lighting was low, blending in with the early evening glow from outside as the sun set. It wasn’t busy.The low jazz music spilling from the speakers created a mellow mood.

I swept my gaze through the place and wondered who I was really meeting tonight. Was I ready to deal with a no-show? No. Did I actually want one of these ridiculous dates to work? Heck yeah. Had I found someone who didn’t bore me to death, was too full on or lacked enthusiasm that I was irritated halfway through our meal? Nope. So here was round uh... I lost count along the way. It had started as a fun thing to do, but then two birthdays passed as I had my fun, and now, after turning twenty-nine two months ago, I was getting tired of this merry-go-round. If tonight didn’t pan out I’d give it a break and just do some single girl shit and hope for the best.

Do you have a reservation, miss? a waiter asked, coming to my rescue or interruption of my inner monologue and possibly stopping me from deciding right there and then to just go home or drop back in at Sarai’s.

Uh, yes. I’m meeting someone who was supposed to have the reservation for six-thirty. It should be under Moses.

I snooped a little; trying to see the full name of the person I was meeting when he lifted the tablet and scrolled through reservations. All I saw was a ‘Nathan Moses’ reservation come up when he clicked at the time, just like his name on the dating site. Oh well. I was still unsure about the two first names. Here was to hoping he was not here to talk me to death without a break or wanting just sex from the get and nothing more.

Maybe he was my age, if not a year or so older, well kept, attentive, might be cute goofy or just outright funny, confident and not cocky and had a stable job. All in all I hoped it was someone I felt comfortable around to be myself. Then we’d go from there.

You’re ten minutes early, so you can get settled and wait. He said with a cordial smile.

Now beggars couldn’t be choosers, but my begging list was definitely somewhat specific. I wasn’t sitting here with my mouth open like a crocodile waiting to maybe catch some food. I wanted the food, and I was actively hunting. The prey was just...umm subpar?

I’ll get you seated, the waiter said, extending his hand for me to follow and started walking off.

Seated at a cozy booth, I was happy it was in a spot where the lighting was just right. Not too dark to allow whoever Moses was to get grabby incase he got dubious ideas or thought a booth meant innuendos all through the meal and that it would lead to sex.

He was solely mistaken if that happened to be his idea of fun on day one. I was not here to collect people’s STIs or whatever some overzealous ‘will bone anything walking’ past partner had given them since I had no idea of their status. And no, I don’t believe in that ‘I’m clean’ bullshit guys fed women when the two of you were already naked, feverish, and so high on lust you just want to hit it until you scream each other’s name.

But I sure miss getting dicked down on the regular though, I lamented to no one.

I liked evidence..., recent evidence, and I reciprocated.

Looking around, I wished that hopefully I’d be finishing the meal without taking a toilet break to whine to a laughing Moni and maybe I’d get a second date this time. I wondered how smart the decision to choose the option where I didn’t see a picture of my date until we decided to go for a blind date was.

Laughing at a reels video on Instagram, I felt his presence before I put my phone down and got up. I’d decided to sit with my back to the door because the alternative would have had my mind brimming with ideas of time keeping and toying with leaving prematurely too easily.

I turned and froze.

Nathan? I squeaked.

Umm...what was he doing here?  Fine, successful, Damien—Sarai’s partner—best friend from university days and a well known friend of ours. He definitely wasn’t the type to be doing dating sites. So what was this?

He let out a little laugh himself and shook his head.

AsiyaWambui, what are the chances?

My sentiments as well, I smiled and stepped closer to give him a hug. I may have shamelessly sunk into his warm embrace with more glee than usual.

Letting go, but still holding onto my hands, he swept his eyes over me from face to toes. And I did too, noting how his baby blue coloured button down under a dark blazer and jeans fit tall frame so well. Under his perusal, I had an odd sense to turn and do a slow twirl, hoping he liked what he saw in this red sleeveless ankle-cropped romper, but that was a bit much.

This was Nathan.

Beautiful. He murmured.

Bashfully, my gaze dropped while my teeth sunk into my bottom lip. Thanks.

Come on. Let’s sit. I have a feeling we’re about to entertain each other, he said with a slow smile that lit his features, his deep chocolate skin contrasting with the white of his teeth and his faint brown lips. His shoulder length locs had been retwisted since I last saw him, and tonight he had them tied in a low bun, letting his face hit me full on.

You’re my date? I had to be sure, sure.

His lips quirked up as he nodded.

Quiet, tidy and the enigma—to me—of our friends group, Nathan was now center stage and I felt stirrings of feelings I’d left go unresolved years back.

So you’re doing online dating for fun, or do you really want to find a partner to go the long run? he asked with a quirked brow.

The latter. What about you?

Same.

With the way you look?

His lips tipped up on one side, and he looked me over slowly. The trail of his gaze from my hair to my chin missed nothing, as if he was precisely mapping me so intensely that I had to avert my gaze again.

Have you seen yourself? he countered.

I shrugged. Touché.

Now how in the world are you having to go online to find a date when I know well and true people want to date you, Asiya?

Where? I don’t see that. Everyone is busy at work and getting that paper. The grind these days leaves little to no room for doing anything that doesn’t involve money in return. I pouted.

Nathan nodded.

A waitress appeared at our table, gaze inquisitive. Would you like to order, or do you need more time? Looking at Nathan, who gestured to proceed, I took one of the menus she offered, and he took the other. What drinks would you like while you decide on your meals?

I went over their drinks on offer and ordered with Nathan following suit.

Thanks. I’ll be back with your drinks. Just let one of us know when you’re good to go with your meal order.

Nodding, we were quiet as we perused the list.

Ever been here before? I asked.

Yeah. Once.

Date?

No.Work thing.

I gasped. You wine and dine your clients in places like this? What are they paying you?

Nathan chuckled. The client actually booked the lunch; I was just along for the ride with my superior and ideas.

Did you get the contract?

With a boyish grin, he nodded. Hasn’t been easy climbing the ladder, but I’m glad I had the right people cross my path.

My head cocked at that. How so? I mean, I’m not naïve about our kind not flying through every door in the workplace, but what’s yours?

He sighed. Sometimes in my Civil enegeneering department as black person when you know what to do and speak up, people who are intimidated by your intelligence and consider you beneath them can have that work against you. So I learned to keep my mouth shut early on and look to where bosses were happy to work with me as contracts came through.

Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.

He shrugged with a smile. If I’d been too hot headed, I’d have cost myself a lot. Guess I guess there’s a blessing in working with your best friend who can talk you off the ledge sometimes.

Damien did construction work? When?

"Way back when we were new in the country. As you know, international students have it rough with full time studies