A/N: Sorry for the long delay in updating this. I have decided this is the last chapter of this story and I really hope you aren't disappointed with it.

Enjoy x

So we made it through the date. It went well, plenty of talking and eventually I managed to relax.

She laughed at a few things I said, which is good right?

She smiled most of the time.

That smile is so gorgeous.

And we just talked, like we used to, like good friends do.

It was nice.

The food was good. We both agreed though that her lasagne is better, which hands down it is.

She didn't have dessert but I just couldn't resist. There is something about chocolate cake that I just can't resist but I couldn't help grinning when she reached across the table and grabbed the fork before I could even dig in and helped herself to a small mouthful.

I playfully gape at her as she hands me back my fork and I stare at it.

Its been in her mouth and now I get to eat off of it.

Oh My God!

She smiles at me and lifts her glass of wine taking a big sip of it and I start eating my cake as the atmosphere suddenly changes and shifts.

What had felt like a relaxed situation suddenly began to tense. I know we had both felt it but neither of us said anything.

I paid as I should have. Well it was the right thing to do and she didn't argue which was nice. I am so used to seeing people argue over paying a bill.

I then stood up first when we went to leave and offered her my hand to help her up and held her hand as we walked out.

It was a little awkward but I held her hand.

She actually let me hold her hand!

We left my car and opted to walk. It was a nice evening and warm too. I suspect I was legally too over the limit to drive anyway, we had just split a bottle of wine.

It was nice, and a chance for us to exchange a few pleasantries of how nice the evening had been but we never spoke about anything in more depth like whether it would be nice to do it again sometime.

I hoped she was thinking it though because I was.

After that the rest of the walk was silent and naturally our hands fell apart, although I could hold her hand forever.

It just feels so right.

It was slightly uncomfortable for the last part of the journey but then there we were, stood on her porch, just outside her front door and it was that time in every date when it has to end. The goodbye part.

So you know at this stage it is either going to be I'll see you again or thanks but no thanks and I have no idea what she is thinking right now.

People who want to know what agony and being in hell feels like I will trade places with you right now!

My heart suddenly feels heavy as I am stood face to face with her and she smiles.

I am so nervous and anxious waiting to see how this plays out.

We smile at each other and I realise the silence has lingered just a little bit to long so I go speak just as she does to.

"Well this was..." we both say at the same time which is really weird and then smile at each other awkwardly again.

I offer to let her finish first. I am so interested to know what she was going to say but she insists I go first, so I do.

"It was nice" I say with a smile and she nods in agreement.

"Yes it was nice" She confirms with a smile.

I sense a but.

"but..."

Yep there it is, that dreaded word usually followed by something negative.

"I don't think I could do it again as a date" she explains honestly and I nod.

Its an automatic reaction, I sort of lost focus at the word but!

"Its not that I don't like you, I do but just as a friend" she carries on and I actually manage to listen properly.

"Ok" I manage weakly with a small smile.

"Please understand, its just not really my scene, but friends, I love us being friends"

Its definitely honest I will give her that and I smile and nod.

"Friends is fine. Honestly, you know how I umm feel and if you just want to be friends then I am happy with that" I tell her. Its not the honest truth but it is a truth.

Always better to have someone you care about as a friend than as nothing at all.

Before the conversation can get any more awkward I say goodnight. I don't want to have a heart to heart about any of this.

She takes me by surprise though when she too says goodnight but very lightly hugs me and whispers.

"I really did have a nice time. Thank you"

It melts my heart and I pull away slowly smiling at her one last time before I raise my hand in a gesture of a wave and make my way down the path.

I am stopped at the gate when she calls after me and my heart skips a beat.

She smiles brightly.

"If I ever find I feel differently on the subject, you'll be the first to know"

I smile at her and nod in gesture. I think that might be her saying she'll give it thought but I don't want to hope too much.

I take a deep breath keeping my back to her and then walk away.