Here's chapter 4:
Cole texted me the next day asking if I wanted to go to dinner and a movie with him on Wednesday. I asked if it was a date. He responded: "Yes, I am unapologetically asking you out on a date." It was cute. After work on Tuesday, I called Skye.
"Hey, Rosy. What's up?"
"Nothing. I just have a date with this really really cute guy tomorrow."
"What? Really?"
"Yes! I am sooo excited."
"Nice. How did you meet him?"
"Well, I was at the park reading Jane's book, and he came up to me to talk about it."
"He reads Jane's stuff?"
"Yeah!"
"Uh-oh."
"Oh, be quiet. We both know Jane is a wonderful author and any man that reads her books is well qualified."
"Whatever."
"Anyway, just wanted to let you know."
"Well, thank you for letting me know. What's he like?"
"Tall, brown hair, green eyes, muscular, and so cute."
"As tall as Tommy?"
"Not quite."
"Hair as dark as Tommy?"
"Not quite."
"Sounds nice."
"Why do you keep comparing him to Tommy?" I ask, realizing I did the same.
"Come on, Rosalind."
"Lindsey told you?!"
"She waited to tell me, but you weren't telling me so she couldn't help it."
"Ugh."
"We had lunch together the next day and you couldn't have told me? You didn't tell me about Tommy or the other guy!"
"His name is Cole. But, I'm sorry. I just wanted to figure out how I felt about the situation before telling people."
"And how do you feel?" The truth is, seeing Tommy gave me the most wonderful feeling I've ever had in my life. I missed him so much and seeing his face brought sunlight into my life. But with Cole, we get along so well. We immediately had something. It was easy and natural. With Cole, I have a clean slate. He knows me for who I am now, not who I was in high school. I am so conflicted, but I am using this upcoming date to help me figure this all out.
"I don't know. I'll figure it out though."
"Okay. Well, thanks for telling me."
"Thanks for listening," there is a knock at the door, "I have to go. Somebody's here."
"Ten bucks it's Lindsey."
"No bet."
"Bye."
"Love you." I set my phone down on the coffee table, cross the room, and open the door. Standing on my welcome mat is Lindsey. She always comes the day before a date to check what I am wearing.
"I'm so excited!" She bursts in and jogs to my room. Lindsey was the only one I had told about Cole. I knew I would need her help trying to look perfect.
"I know, I know. But I have no idea what to wear!" Usually I already have an outfit picked out by the time Lindsey pops in, but this time is different. Most of the time, I base my outfit off of what I think best compliments me in his eyes. When I meet someone, I can sometimes feel out what kind of personality he has. If he is edgy, I'll pick out a more edgy outfit. If he is more preppy, I'll pick out a more preppy outfit. Iantha says I should just dress like myself, but I say that they are already my clothes so they are myself. I am not going out and buying a new outfit every time that I go on a date. For this date, however, I am stumped. He is so kind and open-minded that I feel like I should just dress like myself. Like how Iantha says I should dress. But I don't know who I am yet. I'm only 25.
"Well, I guess I'll be here longer than I thought," Lindsey shrugs and starts digging through my closet.
"Thank you," I say and join her.
By the end of the night, we pick out an outfit, makeup, and hairstyle. Lindsey is beyond happy with the final product. We went simple, we felt that simplicity best represented me. I will be wearing light colored booties, skinny jeans, a cashmere, cream-colored sweater with a V-neck, and my brown coat. Lindsey said I should keep my hair sweet, but sophisticated-which I did not know was possible-with a half-up hairstyle. To pull my look off, Lindsey continued the simplicity with natural makeup. I could only feel more myself in this outfit if I added a touch of pink.
A knock at the door. I inhale deeply and grab my purse. I breathe again. I open the door. Cole stands in front of me, beaming. His eyes fall from my face down to my shoes and back up again. His mouth opens. He looks a little surprised.
"You okay?" I ask.
"Yeah," he scoffs, "how could I not be?"
"Well, you did that thing where you look up and down at me and you looked a little shocked," I say.
"Only because you look so pretty!" He blurts. I chuckle, and he blushes.
"Sorry," he ducks his head.
"Don't be. I'm flattered," I smile. He smiles back and holds out his bent arm. I hook my own through it and lock the door.
The movie and dinner go by without a hitch. Before the movie starts, he tells me that he is not going to pull the "cheesy, fake yawn to put his arm around me," but instead, slides his arm behind my head smoothly and pulls me closer to him. I blush, but happiness radiates off me like heat. At dinner, we talk nonstop like the first time we met. I can't keep myself from gazing into his eyes. Sometimes my eyes fall down to his lips to see him smiling at me the whole time.
As we leave the restaurant, it begins to snow. He puts his arm around me again as we walk to his car. He stops me when we reach it. Cole takes my hands in his.
"Can I just say that this is the best time I have had in a long time?" he says.
"Me too. This night was so much better than I could have imagined, and trust me, I had high expectations," we laugh.
"I'm glad I exceeded them. Rosalind," he pulls my gloved hands to his chest.
"Yes?" Butterflies flap in my stomach.
"I know this is only the second time we've hung out, but it feels like we've known each other for forever. And I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true. I've already opened up to you more than anyone else and I couldn't be more glad. I like you. I mean, I really like you," he looks at me with hopeful eyes. I beam.
"I know it's cheesy, but I like you too. A lot," we laugh.
"I can't help it. All I want to do is kiss you," he says.
"Then do it." He presses his lips to mine and warmth spreads through my body. Someone has turned on a fireplace, and the ice within me set there by the falling snow melts. I cup his face in my hands as he wraps his arms around my waist. When we pull apart, it feels like only a second has past, but I know it has been much longer.
"Wow," he says. I smile.
Thanks for reading! Chapters 5 and 6 will be out next week. Leave a comment :)