Alison and I walked to Central Park not really saying much to one another. We simply walked beside each other in silence, just appreciating each other's company. I thought about the speed dating event, our conversation, and the intense physical attraction I felt for her. I found myself smiling as I walked beside her, occasionally looking up at her and watching her deep in thought.

We'd been walking in the park for a few minutes before I noticed there was no one around. The park was absolutely silent expect for the gentle roar of crickets. Stopping in my tracks, I paused for a moment to appreciate the joyful sound, the wind blowing through the trees, and the soft moonlight glow upon the sidewalk.

"Emily, is everything okay?" Ali asked sounding concerned.

"Shh" I replied as I grabbed her hand and guided her to the nearby famous Central Park bridge. Once at the center of the bridge I said, "Close your eyes and just listen".

Alison smiled as she closed her eyes. I kept my eyes open and watched her take in all the sounds and smells around us.

"Crickets, frogs, a gentle, cool breeze, and... Night Blooming Jasmine" she said slowly with her eyes still closed.

In that moment, she'd never looked more beautiful. It took everything within me to not kiss her.

Smiling and opening her eyes, Alison said, "Come on, now it's my turn". Taking my hand again, she lead me to a open field nearby. She led me to the center of the opening where she stopped and sat down. Patting her hand on the ground, she gestured for me to sit next to her. I sat down eagerly waiting for what would come next. Alison then laid down on the grass and looked up at the sky with a big smile on her face. I joined her and saw what she was so fascinated by. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the stars were so bright. Our bodies rested next to each other in silence, both appreciating the nature around us.

"Emily, can I confess something to you?" said Alison suddenly.

Turning my head towards her, I replied, "Of course. What's up?"

Turning her head to face me, she giggled and said, "I like this much better than the speed dating event. That was kind of a hot mess. Until I met you of course".

Her little giggle was such a turn on. "Oh yea! You wanna hear about the train wrecks I encountered?" I replied laughing.

Alison giggled and listened to my horror stories. Her giggles turned into full blown laughs. She even had tears from laughing so hard. I love that I can make her laugh like this.

Alison and I continued talking as we looked up at the stars. We talked about our jobs, what they entailed, moments in our jobs that really impacted us, and so much more. I felt like I could listen to her talking about nursing forever and ever. She's so passionate about her work. The look she gets on her face only makes me even more attracted to her. Alison wanted to know more about my team that gets me ready for photoshoots, so I told her all about Hanna, Aria, and Spencer. Out of the corner of my eye, I could periodically see her watching me talk about them and all the good times we've shared.

All of the sudden, I felt Alison slip her hand into mine. Our fingers interlocked perfectly, almost like they were made for each other. I looked over at her and saw her smiling and slightly biting her lower lip. I wanted to kiss those lips so badly, but I new I had to refrain. Everything I've done since I lost my last relationship has only been about sex. I want to take things slowly with Alison. For the first time in a long time, I want more. I want a relationship with Alison. So I settled for a smile and squeezing her hand a little tighter. We stayed like this for a few minutes and just appreciated the closeness we felt in that moment. After looking at her watch, Alison slowly got up and stood above me.

"Come on silly. It's getting late. Plus I'm getting a little cold laying on the grass" she said while extending her hand to help me get up.

Now eye to eye, I could feel my breathing quicken and the need to kiss her feel like torture. I could sense she was feeling the same way. But we both settled on holding hands as we left Central Park. When we reached the street, Alison hailed a cab. Before she stepped inside, she turned to me, extended her hand and said, "Phone please". With that famous, sexy smirk of hers, she put her number in my phone and handed it back to me. Then she stepped close to me, tugged on my blazer to pull me closer to her, and kissed me on the cheek. Pulling away slightly, she whispered in my ear, "Call me" before she hopped inside the cab.

As the cab drove away, I smiled and gently touched my cheek. It's official. I'm hooked. This girl has me wrapped around her finger.

It's almost 3 am by the time I get back to my apartment. Opening my door and turning on the lights reveals Aria curled up in a little ball in my living room chair, fast asleep. Over on the couch, Hanna and Spencer are asleep. The sudden flood of lights slowly wakes them from their slumber.

"Jesus Emily. It's 3 am. Did you at least get some?" asked a sleepy Hanna.

Shoving Hanna's arm, Spencer furthered, "What I think she means is did you find anyone you liked and if you had a good time".

Rubbing her eyes, Aria said, "Oh Em. You look really happy. Come. Sit. Tell us all about it".

I happily joined them and sat in the free chair. I was so gitty. I didn't even know how to express all the feelings inside me at that moment. But I knew one thing for sure. I was very happy. So I preceded to tell them all about the venue, the process, and the various women I spoke with during the event.

"Guys, it was getting really rough there for awhile. So I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples to try and release some frustration. Then I heard a sweet and simple hello coming from across the table. Guys. I opened my eyes and.."

"SPIT IT OUT FOR GOD SAKES EM!" yelled Hanna.

"Yea we wanna know!" yelled Aria and Spencer simultaneously.

Taking a deep breath I continued, "It was her. Like her her. The girl from the bar. Her name's Alison".

"AHHH OH MY FUCKING GOD!" yelled Hanna jumping up from the couch.

"No. Way." replied Spencer obviously in shock.

"Emily. That's gotta be fate. What are the chances of that happening?" said Aria.

"I know right?! So when our time was up, I asked her if we could keep talking because I liked her and wanted to see where things would go. Guys, she agreed and so we took a walk in Central Park" I continued.

Grabbing her chest, Spencer let out an, "Aww! How romantic!".

Looking over to Aria, I said, "Aria, you're really gonna vomit love with what we did next. She grabbed my hand and led me to an open field where we just laid on the grass and looked up at the stars. We kind of just stayed like that for hours talking about the speed dating event, our jobs, and so much more. We laughed so much you guys. There were a couple of times that I really wanted to kiss her but I didn't. I could tell she wanted me to kiss her too".

"But wait. Then why didn't you if the moment was right?" asked Hanna.

Cutting in, Spencer said, "Because she really likes this girl. Everything has just been about sex for her until Alison. This girl is special to Emily. She's going to want to take it slowly".

I nodded my head and said, "Exactly Spencer. There is just something about her that I'm so drawn to. I mean don't get me wrong, she's stunning. But there's just something there. I'm hooked. Plain and simple. So anyway. There was a point when I was talking and she just casually held my hand. I swear to God you guys, there were sparks just from us holding hands. And the way she looked at me... there just aren't any words. Before she left in the cab, she asked for my phone and put her number in it. Then she pulled me close to her and kissed my cheek. She barely pulled away and whispered, "Call me" and got in the cab. It was such a simple, sexy, classy move and now I'm hooked. She's got me wrapped around her finger".

Aria just had sat there with her mouth wide open, Spencer gave me a little smirk, and Hanna just slow clapped and said, "Damn that bitch is smoothe".

"Well I like her" chimed in Aria.

"Yea me too " said Spencer.

"Me three" replied Hanna.

I'm glad they seem to approve. Their opinion means a lot to me. "Aww thanks guys. I want to go on a couple more dates alone with her before I introduce her to you guys. Y'all cool with that?" I asked hoping they'd say yes.

"Of course Em. Take your time. So when do you think you want to see her next? What do you want to do?" Spencer asked.

"I don't know what I want to do next, but I do know that I want to see her again. The sooner the better. I'm going to call her tomorrow and see when our schedules work out for us to meet up. I don't care if that seems overly eager. I just really want to see her" I replied smiling at the thought of her pulling me close and kissing my cheek.