“I never thought I’d say this, but that zombie movie had too many brains in it,” said Josh, who, despite his insistence that he did not have a weak stomach, was not feeling as hungry as he normally felt at this time.
“I know, right? So many zombie movies these days just show zombies chasing people, or eating their flesh. It’s like Hollywood producers have forgotten about the roots of the zombie myth.”
“You mean people getting buried alive, digging their way of their own graves, and scaring the crap out of their neighbors?”
Siobhan scrunched up her face as she thought. “I thought that was vampires.”
“No, the vampire myth came from the Greek myth of Apollo cursing Ambrogio so that his skin would burn if it were ever to touch sunlight.”
Siobhan shook her head. “Whatever. I just know I’ve always heard that zombies eat brains, but until tonight, I had never actually seen zombies eating any brains. I thought it was refreshing. I guess I can’t say it’s new, given how old the myth is.”
“Everything old is new again?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Siobhan tilted her head thoughtfully. “Wait. Is that from a song?”
“Yep. Barenaked Ladies.”
Siobhan rolled her eyes. “OMG, don’t tell me you’re a Barenaked Ladies fan.”
“What’s wrong with the Barenaked Ladies?”
“Well, their name, for starters.”
“OK, I’ll give you that.”
“Their music. Their lyrics.”
“OK, OK, you’re not a fan. I get it. You don’t have to ruin the band for me.”
“Oh, I absolutely intend to ruin the band for you. Although, if their very existence hasn’t ruined them for you, I’m not so sure. You might be beyond saving.”
Josh grinned at her and her stomach did funny things. He might not have great taste in music, but he sure had a great smile.
“So, what’s good here?” Siobhan turned her attention to the menu, hoping to distract herself from that smile. “I’ve never been here.”
“The vegetarian bao is pretty good. Not as good as my mom’s, but it’s pretty close.”
Siobhan looked at him over her menu. “Don’t tell me you’re a vegetarian.”
Josh shrugged and pointed at himself with both index fingers. “Personal trainer, remember? Being a health nut kind of comes with the territory.”
Siobhan rolled her eyes and said, “Whatever. I guess I’ll just have to eat your meat for you.”
Josh tilted his head and narrowed his eyes as he tried to see the logic in that statement. “Not sure it works that way, but OK. You can decide what you feel like and we can split some veggie egg rolls or something.”
“Oh, so you’re not vegan.”
“Nope. Just vegetarian.”
“Thank the goddess. This relationship would have no chance if you were a vegan.”
To be continued…