Getting Ready

Cyrus forced Norman to sit in the break room while he did paperwork. He wanted to talk to Anita more about their upcoming date, but she had to work while he was in the break room. He was considering practicing his origami with the papers.

"Norman!"

He looked up at someone calling his name, seeing Leigha at the door.

"I'm on break now," she assured him, sitting in the chair opposite him.

Norman nodded and went back to work.

"So, Friday, big date with Anita."

Norman gulped; Leigha's tone sounding intimidating.

"Y-yes."

"Tell me, Norman, what are your intentions with Anita?" Leigha leaned over the table, so her boobs rested near Norma's paperwork, forcing Norman to look up.

"Intentions?"

"Intentions. Every man has intentions when they ask a woman out. Question is what is yours?"

Norman opened his mouth to respond then closed it.

"I want to get to know her more outside of work."

"Really?" Leigha moved back in her chair, crossing her arms as she did.

"So, no getting her drunk?"

"What?"

"Taking her home, offering-"

"No!" Norman crossed his arms then spread them out in denial, scattering his papers.

"I want to get to know her more. I like her; she's nice and kind and pretty. I want to know more since I can't do that here without getting burned to death by Shasta or interrupted by Frank."

Leigha nodded, thinking over his response.

"OK, you pass."

"Pass?"

"The Friendship Dating Exam. All best friends have to give one to the guy. And I approve, for now."

Leigha left the room, leaving Norman in shock, only to pick up the papers she made him mess up. Maybe he should take this to the office.

---

The date was approaching, and Anita had no idea what to do. She knew she couldn't ask Cyrus. The other girls didn't have any real knowledge of dating so Linda would be her only go-to for advice.

"Linda?"

Anita approached her spot, with Linda's order in hand.

"Can I ask you a question? Or a few questions?"

"Sure, what's on your mind."

Anita set the food down, Linda waiting for her to ask before she started eating.

"What can you tell me about dates?"

"Dates? Did you find your soulmate?!"

"No, I mean, I don't know. I hope. I haven't seen Norman's hand yet."

"Why didn't you ask him to see his hand like you normally do?"

"He's been working at the restaurant for two months; it feels weird now unless the conversation comes up."

Linda squinted her eyebrows in confusion, looking at the staff present.

"Miles and Leigha have been working longer here than two months."

"Not them." Anita took the seat opposite of Linda, "His name is Norman Overland, and he's the new district manager. We met by accident on New Year's then again when he came here, and he recognized me."

"Aw, that's adorable."

Anita blushed at the compliment.

"So you are going on a date with him to bring up the soulmate thing?"

"Right, plus he's been very kind to me."

"Sounds like you are sweet on him already."

"Maybe."

"Well, do you know where you'll be going?"

"No, we'll be meeting on Friday at 6:30."

"Then probably dinner, but you don't know where. I would suggest dressing nicely, but not too nice that you stand out in a regular diner."

"Or too casual where you stand out in a nice restaurant," added Leigha, taking a seat next to Linda.

"True. Is Norman touchy affectionate?"

"Not really."

Linda nodded. Leigha mimicked her and nodded.

"So probably no-"

"No. He told me so," Leigha agreed, leaving Anita confused.

"So undergarments, you don't have to worry about."

"Undergarments?"

"Unless you want-"

"Probably not," Leigha finished for Anita.

"But if he was her soulmate."

"Then, there's a probability."

Anita couldn't figure out their conversation. It felt like she was missing something when she felt someone cover her ears.

"Please stop discussing weird things," ordered Shasta, who had covered Anita's ears. Anita looked up at the familiar voice, frowning.

"But I need to prepare for my date."

"One, didn't you tell me before that you wouldn't go on a date with anyone but your soulmate because that would be cheating on them? And two, the stuff they are talking about you don't need to concern yourself with yet."

"Shasta, every woman needs to prepare for any event when they go out on a date," corrected Linda.

"If you are dating a hazard like Cyrus, yes. Norman, you only need to worry that he isn't distracted by folding napkins into origami."

"Norman isn't like that, and I'm not cheating on my soulmate." Anita pulled Shasta's hands off of her and stood to face him.

"So, what makes him so special to change your rules? Why-” Shasta stopped himself before he could press further.

"I-I,” Anita looked down at her shoes, her realization hitting her,” I only ever said that I want to find my soulmate – romantic or platonic. If it's Norman, then I'm happy. If not, Norman is still a good friend with whom I want to spend time. Because he isn't the kind of person to dismiss soulmates being real or not."

Shasta sighed, ruffling his hand through his hair.

“I see.” He then left the girl group and Anita sitting back down. She looked at the two other women, both had been frowning at Shasta's back.

"You know, I don't know if Oliver was right or plain crazy."

"He's overprotective."

"He doesn't even have a mark."

"What?"

Linda and Leigha looked back to Anita.

"Anyway, back to your date with Norman; do you have any dresses?" asked Linda.