He helps me carry everything over to the bar, and I stab a pancake, drowning it in syrup before digging in.
“Thanks for making breakfast. You didn’t have to.”
“Yeah, it was no problem,” I say, smiling at him as I take a bite of my bacon.
“Are you nervous about your first day?”
“A little,” I admit, “but I’m mostly excited. I’m here in England, studying at one of the best universities in the world. What more could I ask for?”
We talk about my classes and his work while we eat. I help him clean up afterward, and we make plans to see some of the sights this weekend. I’m about to grab my stuff and head to campus when he stops me.
“So, I was thinking. Since you made breakfast, maybe you’d let me take you out to dinner? We can celebrate your first day of classes.”
“That sounds perfect,” I say, excited to go on my first date.
This is a date, right? No, probably not. I’m reading too much into this.
“Perfect. It’s a date then,” he says, hugging me before heading back to his bedroom.
My heart kicks against my ribs and my face heats with a blush as I grab my bag and head out the door.
I daydream all the way to campus but then force thoughts of the two of us from my head and concentrate on my classes. I can’t afford to fail, so I take great notes and mark all the assignments in my planner.
Tuesdays and Thursdays are my longest days, and as I get ready to leave my last class, I’m dragging. I was so excited about dinner with Oliver, but I can barely keep my eyes open and don’t want to fall asleep in my food and embarrass myself.
If I cancel, will he think I don’t want to go out with him? Should I risk it?
My eyes droop, and I know I can’t. I bite my lip, pulling my phone out of my bag as I stop on the bottom step.
Avery:Don’t hate me…
Oliver: Never, love. What’s wrong?
Avery: I’m so tired. Can I take a raincheck on dinner tonight?
Oliver: Of course, love. How about pizza and a movie instead?
Avery: Sounds like a plan.
Oliver: Perfect. Now come here and get in the car.
My head shoots upas I finish reading the last message, and I see Oliver’s BMW idling by the curb. I hurry down the steps and over to the passenger side.
“What are you doing here? You didn’t have to pick me up,” I say as he holds the door open for me.
“I wanted to surprise you. Good thing too. Can’t have you walking home when you’re exhausted, and it’s starting to look like rain.”
I glance out the window at the dark sky.
“How was your first day?” Oliver asks as he merges with traffic and heads home.
“Long, but good. The classes are smaller than I’m used to, but I like it.”
We talk about my classes and his day on the way home. As we get out of the car, the skies open, and it starts to pour.
“It’s a good thing you picked me up!” I shout as we take off through the rain to our flat.
We’re both soaked by the time we reach the front door, and I laugh, turning my face up to the sky as Oliver darts underneath the awning. Water drips down my face, and I’m sure I look like a drowned rat, but it feels good.