UNEXPECTED DELIVERY

Xavier nervously looks in the mirror for one final check. Pulling his long black dreads behind his broad shoulders and smoothing out his neatly trimmed facial hair, he was interrupted by the ring of his cell phone. Mario, his childhood friend, was on the other end, He wanted to come and play video games today, but Xavier had other plans! Today he was going to meet Lyric for their first date and he was excited to be taking their relationship to the next level.

Six months ago, while working from home during the pandemic, Xavier had ordered lunch through his Door Dash app. As his home video camera notified him of his food delivery, he noticed a beautiful woman leaving his order on the porch. She had beautiful golden brown skin, and wore her natural hair in curls. As he made it to the door to collect his food she had already made it back to the car. She waved politely, and presumably smiled underneath the mask as she pulled away. He had just a brief moment to flash his smile and wave. Still he couldn't get her off his mind, describing to Mario that day about the beautiful woman who delivered his order, A few days later while working, he decided to order lunch, He couldn't believe his eyes! This has to be fate, could this REALLY be happening? There she was, the same beautiful woman who had delivered his order a few days earlier! Xavier sprinted toward the door and flung it open as she came up the steps. She was startled!

"Hey!" He said, "aren't you the one who brought my order the other day?' She replied to him, "yes. was there a problem?"

No! Not at all. My name is Xavier! What's yours?

Lyric!

Nice to meet you Lyric, that's a beautiful name!

"Thank you...Xavier!" She said, batting her long eyelashes and flashing what he presumed to be a smile under her mask.

I hope to see you again!

Once again, she jumped back into her car she was gone.

As she drove away, Lyric could not help but notice that Xavier was quite fine! Tall, with a muscular frame, and light brown eyes, and long black dreads hanging slightly below his shoulders. "I wonder what his smile looks like underneath that mask?" She thought, was he flirting with her or just being polite?

Two weeks and several lunch orders later had proven to be expensive, and disappointing. Lyric had not returned. He had decided to give up on ever seeing her again. Then Mario made a suggestion. He told Xavier to make a search for her on social media. It was a long shot, He didn't know her last name but, how many Lyric's could there be on social media? Could it even be possible? Some people don't use their real names, but what does he have to lose? These hours sitting in quarantine with nothing to fill the rest of the day may pay off. Its close to midnight and Xavier was strolling social media post. Then he decided to type Lyric's name in the search box. Surprisingly there are more Lyrics on social media than thought! Then he couldn't believe it! There she was. Her beautiful brown skin, thick curly hair, and no mask showing her beautiful smile. He felt like a stalker, but here it goes... friend request sent!

Lyric sitting on her couch watching movies with her sister, she began checking her timeline, To her surprise she sees Xavier's friend request?! Leaping to the other side of the couch, she sticks her phone in her sisters face!

That's him! she exclaimed! This is the guy I delivered food to a few weeks ago! He actually sent me a friend request! Do you think that's creepy?

Her sister glaring at his profile photo. Maybe he was flirting, He's definitely fine. So what are you going to do? Are you going to except it?

I'm not sure. He could be a stalker, I mean I only saw him two times and that's been a few weeks ago. He had to do some serious searching to find me on Facebook. Lyric was not the adventurous type. She wasn't quite comfortable meeting people online, though she had me him in person... friend request deleted.

Xavier and Lyric had plan to meet at the park. She had texted him that she was on her way! He didn't want to keep her waiting, grabbing his keys he replied, me too! Coronavirus mandates were still in place. These last few months were more than he expected. Spending time with Lyric texting and talking on the phone he had come to really care for her and hoped that she felt the same about him. After all, it must have been fate bringing them together yet again!

While waiting in line at the grocery store, he heard a soft voice say "Xavier right?" as he turned to see who was speaking to him, to his surprise there she was, he couldn't believe his eyes. Lyric stood with those dancing brown eyes and six feet distance. She had remembered his name, but he wondered had she ever seen his friend request? Regardless, he wasn't wasting this moment.

"YES! you remembered, Nice to see you again Lyric!"

Nice seeing you as well. You remembered too!

But of course! Are you still Door Dashing?

Yes, just not as much.

To bad. I was hoping you'd become my personal Door Dash driver!

They both laughed as they casually chatted until he reached the check out. All the while thinking of a way to see her again. Suddenly he hear's her voice raise in embarrassment, "maybe you can call me sometime?" That was the moment that changed everything as he left the grocery store with a large grin under his mask.

The virus had many people on edge about dining out still. So the park was as perfect a place as any. Xavier wanted to make their first date as romantic as possible. As he arrived, he saw her sitting at the table by the water. They embraced. She saw he had purchased food, but was curious about the duffel bag he was carrying on his shoulder. Out he came with a table clothe, candles, two wine glasses, bottle of Merlot, and a single red rose.

Lyric was quite surprised. if she had any doubts that she was falling for Xavier. had wipe them all away in this one moment. He lit the candles, pour the wine and made a toast... to our first date! "Yes indeed!" she replied, "and many more!" as they smiled at one another,