Now, he knew that the road to love wouldn't be all cupcakes and rainbows, but Connor thinks that at least it could have been easier than this.
He was all set to let Abby know just how much she meant to him as soon as she got home, straightening his collar and glancing one last time into the mirror, when she blundered into the flat looking slightly overthrown.
"I'm sick of stupid…" she started, throwing her bag down onto the floor forcefully whilst stamping into the kitchen, "…arrogant men who think they're so 'ard just because they…eugh!" Abby couldn't even finish her own sentence; to be honest she wasn't even sure herself what she was trying to say, so why was she expressing this to Connor? He was a man himself after all. "Some men are just so…irritating!" She finished.
When met by Connor's bewildered expression she sighed.
"I'm sorry, it's just…I went to meet this guy. He asked me out to dinner the other night, and I said yeah because I haven't been out to dinner in ages. So anyway we finished the main course and do you know what the next thing he said was? 'Do you believe in helping the homeless? I think you should take me home with you' He actually said that, Connor! I mean, I didn't even know him and he was using the most ridiculous chat up line ever on me! I suppose I kind of overreacted but seriously, what do you expect me to do?!" Connor was silent, staring at her wide-eyed. "…and do you know how that makes me feel, awful that's what! It's like he thought I looked like some slut who'd crawl into bed with him at the first opportunity." Abby's anger subsided, and she finally took a proper look at Connor, having not really registered him except for the fact he was physically there. He was wearing a crisp white shirt, tucked into trousers that fit him snugly. He looked really good.
"Oh, Abby…" He finally whispered quietly, "come 'ere." He opened his arms wide and hugged her tightly, stroking her hair. "You deserve someone better than that," he said, his lips against her ear. He couldn't dismiss the small thought that entered his head, I just wish that someone was me.
Connor took a deep breath, "would you like to go out to dinner tomorrow?" he enquired, it wasn't what he had intended to ask, it just kind of came out.
Abby raised one eyebrow, "are you trying to be funny?" she said sceptically.
"No! No, no, no, God, I wouldn't do that to you, Abby. I mean it."
"I…yeah, okay then, why not!" Abby replied, genuinely touched by Connor's offer.
They both smiled at each other affectionately.
"And don't worry, seen as we both live in the same flat, if I say 'do you believe in helping the homeless? I think you should take me home with you' after two bottles of wine it's so not for the same reason as that pervert," he grinned, trying to go for light and funny, but failing slightly when Abby's gorgeous eyes met his tentatively. He just couldn't stop himself from reaching out a hand to stroke Abby's cheek, down her nose and over her lips. She leaned into his touch and pressed her pink lips to his gently. "I wish we weren't in the flat right now, 'cause I wouldn't mind taking you home with me at all," Abby smiled.
No, the road to love wasn't always cupcakes and rainbows, but sometimes it did consist of the odd candle-lit dinner.