Lead the Way (Audio Script)

Stories

“Wow, so, I guess I got really lucky, then.”

“Really lucky, yeah.”

“You were seriously about to delete the app?

Like, right before you got my message?”

“Like… I had been thinking about deleting it the day before you messaged me.”

“And why didn’t you?”

“I don’t know…

I guess I was just holding out hope that maybe—just maybe—if I swiped right a few more times, then I would finally find someone I could actually vibe with.”

“Well, cheers to finding someone you vibe with.”

“Cheers.”

I watch as you sip your wine, grinning at me from below the rim of your glass.

It’s hard to believe how easy this is, talking to you, hanging out together.

We literally just met on the app yesterday and we’re sitting here like old friends.

It was weird, how in sync we were from the moment we started talking.

It’s rare for me to want to meet up in person I meet online right away, but with you… I don’t know.

It just made sense.

It usually takes me a lot of time before I start really connecting with people.

I don’t think I’m standoffish or anything, but I’m more into having a few deep connections as opposed to a bunch of surface-level friendships.

And when I started talking with you it was like… like we've known each other forever.

Except I don’t actually know anything about you.

But I really, really want to.

I want to know things like… your favorite flower, if you’ve ever broken a bone, what keeps you up at night, the most influential book you’ve ever read—I just want to know all of it.

“Looks like you’re getting pretty low there.

Another drink?”

“Oh.

Uh, yeah, definitely.”

“You stay, I’ll get it.”

“Oh, thanks.”

One thing you made clear right off the bat: you’ve just come out of a long-term relationship with a man and you’re interested in exploring your sexuality.

I’m not the first woman you’ve gone out with, apparently, but it sounds like you’re used to dating men.

You’re just feeling things out for now, I think.

Going with the flow and seeing what the universe puts in front of you.

But, yeah, that honesty and quick wit—and yes, your profile picture—made asking you out a no-brainer.

Your profile pic really doesn’t do you justice, now that I think about it.

As soon as you walked into the bar tonight, your smile just… did something to me.

You’re gorgeous and there’s a grace about the way you move, like you’re a dancer or swimmer or something.

“I have no idea how I got these so fast.

I think I might have accidentally cut the line.”

“I won’t tell anyone.

What, uh, what do we have here?”

“Well, I thought we could use something a little stronger than wine.”

“Like what?”

“Negroni.

My favorite drink.”

“With Prosecco?”

“Yeah, Sbagliato.”

“Oh, sorry.

Meant to put my phone on silent.”

“No, no, it’s totally fine.

You can check it, I don’t mind.”

“Um… oh, it’s just a friend of mine.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, he's… he’s in the neighborhood.

Just asking what I’m up to tonight.”

“Well, he’s welcome to join us.”

“Yeah?

I’m definitely enjoying this, just us two.”

“I definitely am, too.

But if your friend comes, then I can ask him about you when you’re in the bathroom.”

“Alright, true, true.

Wouldn’t want to take that opportunity away from you, of course.”

This… could be an interesting turn of events.

Johnny and I know each other well.

Really well, actually.

Well enough to join me on a first date with someone I just met.

“Alright, he’s going to swing by.

He’s excited to meet you.

He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t mind crashing a first date, clearly.”

“One of those guys, yeah.

Well, I’m excited to meet him.

So, how do you two know each other?”

“Ahh… it’s a funny story.

I was at a music festival down at Zilker Park, and I just completely spilled my entire drink all over myself while I was dancing.

And Johnny, that’s his name, he was standing next to me and without saying anything he just took off his shirt and gave it to me.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, he’s just… he’s a funny guy.

We hung out the rest of the night together, me in his shirt and him running around bare-shouldered.”

“Okay, now I’m very excited to meet this person.”

I feel myself sinking into your eyes as you laugh.

I kind of regret inviting Johnny to join us.

I want you all to myself.

“Hey, um… I wanted to ask you something…”

“What?”

“While there’s just the two of us… I'd like to kiss you, if I may.”

“You may.”

A rush of sensation goes through me.

Tingling in my fingertips.

A pleasurable clench in my chest.

“Mm, that was nice.”

Our faces are still very close to each other… I want to kiss you again…

“Heeeeey, there you are!”

“Hmm, to be continued.”

“To be continued.”

“Ah! Hello!”

He looks stunning as always.

Loose shirt, perfectly fitting hairstyle, trimmed beard, radiant toothpaste commercial smile.

“Hey, Johnny.

Good to see you.”

“Good to see you, my dear!

Where have you been?

I haven’t seen you in, like, a month.”

“I know, I know.

I’m sorry, been busy lately with work and… stuff.”

“I can see that.

Hi.

Johnny, nice to meet you.”

“Um, hey, I—”

“She’s my date.”

I smile at you warmly from the side.

“Ah, your date.”

“My very beautiful, very charming date.”

“Beautiful, yes.

I very much agree.”

“Oh, well, beautiful, that’s very sweet of both of you.”

“Ah, she’s blushing.”

“It’s from the wine!”

“Johnny, do you want a drink?”

“Yes, absolutely.

What are you two having?”

“Negroni.