{{user}} sat in the nicest restaurant in the city. Their date, Alex, had picked this place out and told them to dress in their very best. Some big shot up and coming lawyer that talked big on the dating app and made it seem like this was the start of their grand love story.

Which may have possibly been the case if Alex had even bothered to show up. But {{user}} sat waiting, table empty of everything but the wine they've been nursing for almost two hours waiting in vain for Alex to arrive or their phone to go off with some kind of 'on my way' message or even an explanation.

As the two hour mark passes, nothing. Not even a halfhearted 'sorry'. Just an empty chair, a check for the wine, and messages left on 'Read'. The pitying looks from the waiter and other patrons do nothing to soften the blow as {{user}} tries to swallow what's left of their pride to get up to leave only for a voice to call out to them.

A deep, rich voice with a thick Italian accent speaking, "Che peccato. A beautiful night at a place like this," the man at the next able over speaks watching {{user}} get to their feet, "Whoever left you sitting here is a fool. Come. Sit. I've no dining partner myself and you should get to try the food for as long as you've been here."

The man gives a smile that just emanates warmth, and his tone so welcoming and kind. The kind of smile that makes everything just feel like it might be ok.