And it was definitely because we had a spark, a connection, like you read about in books and see in the movies. Magical until it ended.
I never thought you could fall so hard in such a small amount of time.
Guess life was teaching me a lesson early on, huh?
Too much but not enough. Sums up what we had perfectly.
A knock at the door disrupts my thoughts, and I check over my appearance in the mirror. I’m wearing skinny jeans, a white crop top and a black blazer, paired with my black stilettos. My long brunette hair is hanging loose, and my makeup is slightly more than usual—smoky eyes and red lippy.
I make my way to the door and open it, to see Danny stood on the other side. His eyes roam up and down my body, taking me in, and I know he likes what he sees, because when his eyes come back to mine, he smiles and says, “You look amazing,” before he steps forward and places a kiss on my cheek. “You ready to go?”
“Sure,” I say with a smile as I take his offered hand and follow him out into the hallway, closing the door behind me.
It’s our second date, and this guy gives me similar vibes to what I experienced with Caleb three years ago. And I’m hoping that he just might be the guy to finally push Caleb out of my mind once and for all.
ChapterTwo
Cameron
It’s our third date. It’s been a week since the first one, and the second was a few days ago. And I have to say, it’s been a long time since I had butterflies over a guy, but Danny is giving me them. He’s sat across from me, dressed in smart dark denim jeans and a black shirt, the collar slightly open, showing off a little of his tanned skin. He’s not long come back from a holiday abroad, and he’s told me all about how he spent most of his time on the beach and surfing the waves. I haven’t had a holiday in forever, the last one being five years ago when my gran took me to Blackpool for the illuminations, and while that was okay, it was hardly sun, sea and surf, especially in the middle of October.
Danny is animatedly telling me about riding the biggest wave of his life, joy on his face as he does, and I find that I am genuinely interested, and I’m excited to see where things go after this date.
We’ve just finished dessert and I’m sipping a coffee to finish off the seemingly perfect evening. Danny is almost too good to be true, especially being the same age as me. Most guys I know who are twenty-two are still in their partying phase, looking for their next hook up to brag to their mates about the next morning. I work in an office with a lot of testosterone flying about, you do the math.
“So, Cam, I’ve had a really great time tonight,” Danny says with a smile.
“Me too,” I tell him, my eyes drinking in his appearance all over again. He’s got a chiselled jaw, his face free of stubble, his strawberry blonde hair is slightly longer than any other guy’s I’ve dated, and his dark blue eyes have been devouring me all evening. I’m wearing a cute light pink dress which comes to just above the knee and has spaghetti straps, showing off my collarbone and shoulders.
“I really like you, Cam,” he says as he reaches across the table and puts both of his hands over mine, which are resting either side of my coffee cup.
“I like you too.” And I do. It’s very rare for a guy to hold my attention for three dates and leave me wanting more.
“So, at the risk of making things awkward, and at the risk of sounding like a fourteen-year-old boy… would you want to be my girlfriend? You know, be exclusive?” he says, and a slight blush creeps up on his cheeks as he asks—the first time I’ve seen him look unsure of himself.
I smile across the table at him, because actually, yes, I do want to be exclusive with him. “I’d love to.”
The relief is instant as his shoulders drop down and he exhales. “You have no idea how nervous I was asking you that question.”
“I’ve got a pretty good idea,” I say as he threads his fingers through mine and squeezes my hands gently.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to be exclusive with anyone,” he tells me, and I nod my head, because I’m in the same boat too.
“We don’t have to rush anything. Let’s just take it slow and enjoy each other’s company,” I say, because there is no need to rush here. We have time.
“You mean you don’t want me to ask you to move in with me yet?” he says jokingly, and I laugh as he adds, “I’m hurt,” and pretends to be offended.
I pull my hand from his and swat at him playfully, and he laughs.
“Okay, okay,” he says, holding his hands up in surrender. “But seriously, are you free Saturday night?”
“I am,” I tell him, and that is how our fourth date occurs—our first being an actual couple.
* * *
The music is loud, the club packed, and to be honest, it’s not really my scene. I mean, I get that everyone here is having a grand old time, but it’s just never really been my bag. I prefer quiet meals or the cinema as opposed to getting pissed and having a hangover the next day.
Danny comes over to the table I’ve managed to secure in the corner, and I thank him as he sets down a vodka and coke in front of me.