Chapter Seven (Angela's POV)
Luke led me around the town, showing me everything there was to see. Almost like a small child would. He seemed so anxious. It was kind of charming. His childlike mannerisms… But was he this… this attached to me by default or did he like me? One trait I wish I would've inherited from my mother was the ability to read hidden signals. Go figure. I didn't get it.
But when we had crossed paths with Chase… Chase seemed upset that I was with Luke. Especially when he found out I was staying at his house for a few days. Maybe Kathy wasn't crazy to think Chase liked me… Or maybe I was just full of myself and thought all these guys who I had never met before liked me. It seemed a bit likely.
Before I knew it, it was sunset and we were heading down the road to the Ganache Mine District. Luke was still holding my wrist. He looked over and smiled a gentle smile, not like the ear splitting on that usually adorned his face… I could feel my cheeks getting hot, just knowing they were turning a perfect shade of scarlet. Maybe the orange complexion of the sky would hide that a bit. Or maybe Luke wouldn't notice.
"Angela, I had a lot of fun showing you around today…" he said quietly, which was out of his nature, as he slid his hand from my wrist to my hand.
"I had fun, too, Luke. Thank you…" I looked into his face directly.
We both stopped dead in our tracks. Right in front of the Mine Entrance. He put his arms around me and I put my hands on his shoulders and we both started to lean in. My mind was oblivious to what was happening, because if it knew, it would've stopped me. Just as our lips were about to touch, here came two young children, running and playing. They darted right between us. On the outside I acted upset, but on the inside, I was breathing a sigh of relief. I almost kissed a guy I met a few hours ago. The two kids apologized as they continued to run off. Luke sighed out loud.
"Wow… um… that was awkward," I blurted out.
"I know… Shall we resume?" he started in the same fashion he had when he first tried to kiss me.
I stopped him, "Luke, I'm not the kind of girl that just goes around kissing people in public, especially when they're not officially my boyfriend or involved with me at all. We just met a few hours ago…"
"Well then, I guess we'll just have to spend more time with each other. Will you go out with me?" he asked.
I could feel cold chills running up my spine, "Yes… but only because you've been so nice to me." I could feel my mouth forming a grin. Despite the fact I wanted the give myself a swift kick in the hind end for agreeing to go on a date so early. But it was just a friendly little date, I guess. No real harm would be done.
"Well," he offered his arm, "shall we?"
I accepted his arm with mine, "We shall."
Luke's intentions seemed less innocent. He had intended to sweep me off my feet and cause me to go head over heels for him in one day. Most likely nothing more than that, but it seemed a little devious of him. But who couldn't forgive him. He was so sweet… But no matter what I thought of him trying to kiss me, I was heading off on a date with him. Most likely to the Inn, as they had a restaurant/bar there.
"How about the Inn? It has the only restaurant in town," he said.
"Sounds good to me," I answered.
We walked down the road we had just came from and were soon in the main part of Waffle Town. We got a few strange looks as we walked down the street. Finally, we were inside the Inn. Luke led me over to a two-seat table and pulled my chair out for me, and even pushed it to the table when I sat down. Before I could open my mouth, here came Maya. Kathy was watching her from the kitchen.
"Oh, I see you've met Luke. Are you two here as a couple?" she asked, quite anxiously, really.
"Yes, we're on a date," Luke replied as I blushed a bit.
Maya's face lit up, "What would you two like to drink?"
"Tea okay with you?" Luke asked.
I nodded and he answered, "Tea. Thanks, Maya."
My eyes followed Maya back to the kitchen where she was talking to Chase. I couldn't quite make out what she was saying, but Kathy shook her head and walked away from them. Chase looked a bit annoyed, not quite angry, but just miffed.
Maya brought our drinks to the table, along with two menus. She quickly asked us what we'd like to eat.
"Order anything you'd like," Luke told me.
I looked the menu over, "I guess I'll have… the 'country dinner'?"
Luke smiled and said, "The same for me."
Maya gathered the menus and took off for the kitchen. I looked at Luke who looked a bit confused. My guess was that he was confused as to why I was staring at Chase while I was on a date with him. I immediately put my gaze toward Luke. It was kind of rude of me to not pay any attention to a guy who'd given me a tour of Waffle Town and was buying my dinner.
"So Luke… How old are you, if you don't mind my asking?" I smiled.
"Nineteen. I would ask you, but Pop told me it was rude to ask a woman that," he chuckled.
"It doesn't really bother me. I'm eighteen," I answered.
We continued asking questions about each other, firing questions off as soon as we could answer the question we had been asked. It was funny how much we had in common, but yet how different we were. The dinner Chase had made tasted wonderful, but I didn't comment in front of Luke. It might give him the wrong idea. If Chase liked me, he really needed to show it, because I certainly didn't see that he did. Or maybe I was too impatient. But the fact every time I had talked to Chase, he pretty much shooed me away wasn't very convincing. Or maybe the fact I was practically getting the royal treatment from Luke made Chase seem so… I dunno. All I knew is that it was way too early to start assuming things. I had just arrived in Waffle Town, after all.
