Chapter 21
It was a comfortable silence between the two of them as merry subdued Christmas music played in the background. Suddenly Elvis Presley's Blue Christmas started spilling into the speakers.
"I love this song," Ally breaths, trying to be quiet as possible to hear the song.
He nods and grabs the remote sitting on the counter. "Me too." He turns the volume up a bit so it'd be no problem to hear the music. It was the perfect song. Shyly he asks, "Would you maybe uh, wanna d-dance with m-me?"
She smiles and gets up from her seat. "I'd love to."
He offered her his hand, as she gladly took it. He led her out to the middle of the café where it wasn't cluttered with vases or tables and chairs. Their dance floor.
"Frankly, I'm not much of a dancer," she confesses.
"So you're not just the one," Dallas replies as he takes one of her hand into his own and placing his other hand on her waist. Ally put her free hand on his shoulder. A classic dance position.
They started to dance to the tune of the music. Humming along, they swayed side to side. The music slowed to the instrumental break; signaling the nearing end of the song. But the moment was perfect.
Suddenly Ally tripped and in the process stepped on his foot. But because of her size, she didn't cause much harm. Ally stepped back and threw her hands up in the air in frustration. "See?! Ugh!" Then she buried her head in her hands and took a seat on a near-by chair.
"No, you were pretty good," Dallas complimented. He gently lifted her head and faced her. "Come on Ally. Join me." He took hold of her hand in both of his hands and helped her up. "This isn't rocket science, Ally. It's just dancing. Come on." He led her to the dance floor once again and they fell in step with the music again.
They were now in slow-dancing position. With her hands slung around his neck and his firmly on her waist. They just stepped left to right, right to left. Basically swaying to the song.
Then Ally stepped in closer and leaned her head against his chest. She was about a half a head shorter so they weren't exactly face to face. But that was just fine. Her hands had lowered so now it was slung around his waist. The music spoke to them both as they swayed peacefully to the music.
Now was his chance.
He looked up, out the glass of the store. The figure of most likely Austin Moon was gone. He had given up. Dallas smiled and looked down at Ally who had her eyes closed as she listened to the music.
"Ally?"
"Hm?" she asked without opening her eyes.
"Ally," he repeated.
She opened her eyes to see his face so close to hers. "Y-Yes?" Slowly he started to lean in, inch by inch, centimeter by centimeter. Her eyes fluttered shut, but then she remembered. "No." She stepped back and let go of him.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," he apologized.
She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry. It's just that I-I..."
"Yeah... You just broke up..." The rest reduced to a mumble. "But you please listen?" he asked of her. She nodded in assent.
He sighed, deep in though of how he was going to say this. He closed his eyes and took a break. Opening them to see Ally's radiant smile. "Okay... here goes." He took a breath and opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out. He shook his head and sat down in a nearby seat and tired a different approach.
Ally took the seat across him and watched him. "Dallas..."
"It's okay. I got this," he assured and started again. "I'm sorry. I know when Austin first showed up that I called you 'feisty' and I was rude. I'm sorry. It's just... I've had feelings for you since like forever and I didn't know how to manage them.
"Remember high school?" Ally nodded. "Those rumors? Everybody believed them. I didn't. I knew you weren't that type of person. And I was right. You left for Yale, I didn't know what to do. I had feelings from you from the start, but I had no idea how to approach you. I didn't know if you'd come back, but I hoped. I lived everyday waiting for you.
"When you came back, I was elated. You don't know how happy I was. But still, I had no courage to approach you or probably even the right to. You were a Yale graduate, I was a local boy working in a café. You deserved someone better. When I said 'a hot drink for a hot girl,' I'm sorry. I was playing that bad-boy side of me. But that didn't work. You don't like guys like me. I was the player, but that is half true. Sure, I've had numerous girlfriends, but only because they weren't for me. This may sound off, but I...
"I think.. well... Have you ever... No. When Austin came around, I was jealous. I spilt steaming hot coffee on my hands that left blisters for weeks. When you went out with him, I tried to be happy for you. But my feelings were that deep, I couldn't be happy. And now may not be the best time since you just broke up with him, but I don't know if I'll ever get this chance again."
Dallas sighed. One last line, this was it. "I know you're heart-broken about Austin, but I'd like to help you get over him. I like you Ally."
Every word. He meant every one of them. She could tell he was being genuine, but right now, she was a loss for words. She didn't know how to react. She didn't know what to say with his sudden confession of feelings.
"Dallas I-" But she stopped. She had to word this right. "I'm sorry, but-"
He looked up. "Please, Ally. Give me a chance. One date, that's it. Then decide from there. Please."
Those words brought tears to her eyes for more than one reason. It reminded her of how Austin pleaded for his first date with her. But it also showed how true Dallas was to his words. He just wanted a chance.
She should give it to him, right? Everyone deserved an equal chance. Plus, Dallas was right, she needed to get over Austin.
She closed her eyes in thought and said after a while, "Yes. That one date, it's yours."
Ally opened her eyes to see Dallas's smile. "Thanks Ally. I'll pick you up later tonight."
She smiled. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe she was ready to get over Austin. Maybe the tides have changed. For the better.
"I still don't get why you're going out with him," Trish argued as she watched her best friend scurry around.
Ally sighed. It's been like that for the past few hours and it was really starting to annoy her. "Trish. You asked if Dallas was my boyfriend when you got me cornered when you first got here! So what's with that question?!"
"Well..." Trish drawled. "Okay. That was before I found out that Austin is here! Believe me, you and Austin were meant to be. Not you and Dallas."
"You don't know what Dallas has been through to score this date, or me for that matter. Plus Austin broke my heart twice, I need some fresh air. I need some room to breath," Ally said.
"I thought you broke up with him, both times around?" Trish asked.
Ally opened her mouth but no words came out. "O-okay, you're right. He didn't break my heart twice, he disappointed me twice. That's why I broke up with him twice."
Trish rolled her eyes and shook her head. "But then why'd you give Austin another chance?"
"Because I didn't mean to! I didn't know it was him!" she defended. "Plus he deserved a second chance. It was his fault for losing that chance. So I'm giving Dallas a chance now."
"But isn't it too soon?"
"Trish. You don't get it. Dallas waited ten years for this chance. It's time I don't let him wait any longer."
"So did Austin!" Trish exclaimed. "He waited ten years for his second chance!"
"Well he blew it!" Ally exclaimed. But she shook her head. They shouldn't be like this. They were best friends. They shouldn't be at each other's throats. "It's my life Trish, I'm sorry to disappoint."
Suddenly there was a loud knocking on the door.
"That must be Dallas," Ally said placing a smile on her face pretending the last few minutes didn't happen. "Be nice," she warned her friend who just pursed her face to tease her. Ally rolled her eyes and opened the door. "Hey Dallas," she greeted with a smile and a warm hug against the cold November weather.
"Hey, Als," he said. "Thanks again for giving me a chance."
She smiled. "No problem. I've kept you waiting long enough."
"Yeah." He chuckled, then he pulled out a small bouquet of tulips. From the cold weather, they were frosted, but had a cool effect. Ally's face lit up and gladly accepted them. Then Dallas held out his arm and said, "Shall we be off?"
"Gladly," Ally replied and hooked her arm into his and walked down with him to his waiting car. "So where are we headed?" she asked once they were settled in as he gunned the engine.
"Well, today I though we'd get dinner, then a movie. If that's all right with you," he added in haste.
"That's great, Dallas. And don't worry," she sooths.
He gave her a weak smile. "I just want this to work out so badly, Ally. You don't know how much I want this to be perfect. It's just that I really..."
"It'll go great. Don't sweat too much," she replied as they pulled out to Touch of Tuscany. It was an Italian restaurant that was famous for its ideal recipe for crostini's. Plus their wine was mulled to perfection! "Ohh!" she squealed. "I love this place. I haven't been here for a while!"
"Well I'm glad you love it already," Dallas smiled.
Once they secured their reservations by Dallas, they were showed their table and Dallas, being the perfectionist he is, pulled the seat out for Ally, like a gentleman. Then he took the menus offered to them and gave one to Ally. "Order anything. My treat," he said as he took his seat.
"Really? That's so sweet."
A minute later a waitress dashed to their table with a pen and notepad ready. "Are you two ready to order? If so, then what will it be?" she politely asked.
Ally looked at Dallas who nodded. "Um, I'll have the Stroganoff Alfredo with French onion soup," she said.
"I'll have the Fettuccine alla Carbonara," Dallas said with a smile.
"Any appetizers and drink I could get you?" the waitress said as she took notes of their orders.
"We'll have a plate or two of your famous crostini," Dallas replied. "And bring out the bottle of 1984 Brunello di Montalcino, I had talked to the manager earlier."
"Okay, your dishes will soon be arriving." The waitress smiled once more then left promptly to get their order in.
"So, Ally," Dallas began to break the silence. "Do you remember Valentine Day of senior year?"
"Yeah," she answered. "But I must say, you have quite a knowledge of Italian cuisine. Are you Italian?"
He shook his head. "I'm half German and British."
"But how do you know so much about-"
He chuckled. "Last summer, my buddy invited me over to his Italian Riviera estate. Learned a thing or two from my trip."
"Oh, that's so cool! I've always wanted to go visit the Italian Riviera! I've heard its so beautiful there."
"It is," he said. "But its crowded with tourists and I'm glad I didn't have to book my stay at a hotel or it would've been more of a hassle."
"You're lucky," she praised. "So what was that thing about Valentines Day, ten years ago?"
"Oh yeah." He took a quick sip of his water since he was getting parched and looked at Ally. Her shinning and beautiful face. "Remember how Mr. Kris lost his bet and had to wear a stupid Cupid costume complete with a bow and a quiver full of 'love' arrows?"
Ally laughed at that memory. "Yeah! It was hilarious!"
Dallas joined in on the laughter. "I know right?! Remember how he was made to pass out Valentines by the Student Council? And he delivered them to the wrong people so it was one big mess?"
"Yeah! So... Katie... remember her?... well she got one that was supposed to be Bianca's? So then it was one big misunderstanding?" Ally laughed again.
"Yeah!" he chortled. Then he lowered his tone and asked, "Did you by chance get one?"
"Um, no," she simply replied.
He smiled grimly as the waitress zipped back with their order. She set down a plate of crostini before them and added, "I'll be right back with the wine and your order will out in a few more minutes." They both nodded thanks and turned back to each other.
"Are you sure?" he questioned again.
"I'm pretty sure, Dallas," she said. He sighed in defeat and watched as the waitress came flying back with a bottle of wine and two glasses. She set the two glasses between them and professionally popped the top off the bottle. Then she set the flagon of wine on a rack and left again with a smile.
"Here, I'll pour you some," he said. Dallas picked it up and filled both their glasses a quarter way full. "Good enough?" She nodded, for now.
Awkward silence. This is the part where most people try to avoid, but fall into instead, on dates. They just smiled at each other and took continuous sips of wine and small bites of crostini.
He tried once more. "Are you sure you didn't get a valentine that day?"
"For the last time, yes," she said with a smile.
He gave her a confused look. "What?"
"I'm just playing with you," she laughed. "And yes, I did get a valentine that had a super cute and sweet poem, but he never stepped out into the light. So I don't know who it was," she said with a playful/teasing smile.
Dallas smiled. "Is it that obvious?"
"Thanks, Dallas. That poem was so sweet! You know, I actually still have it because I never found the person and thank them someday. Guess now I have, and I'd like to thank you for that. You clearly made my day, ten years ago."
"You're welcome."
Then the waiter came back and placed a bowl of French onion soup and a plate of Stroganoff Alfredo. She then placed a serving of Fettuccine alla Carbonara in front of them. They both murmured a "thanks" to the waitress and dug in.
After a thirty minute meal of just chatting, reminiscing old memories, laughing; basically having a great time, they stood up and made to leave. They left a hefty tip because their server was just so nice and walked into the nipping cold November weather to Dallas's car.
"So what movie should we see?" he asked her as he keep his eyes on the icy roads. It was dark now, so he had to be careful.
Ally thought for a minute. "How about Don Jon? I've wanted to see it, but never had the time."
"What's it about?" he questioned.
"Well, its interesting for both of us. Don Jon is a womanizer - sorry, didn't mean to irate your reputation. So Barbara is a hopeless romantic who hopes to find her Prince Charming. They both have the wrong idea - thus stereotypes - of the opposite sex, but try to overcome that to find true love," Ally explained. "It's a comedy," she added.
"Sure, sounds interesting," Dallas said. "Plus it doesn't matter. I'd go with any movie you decided to pick because I know you have good taste."
Ally rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Peachy."
...
"That movie was hilarious!" Ally laughed as they staggered to her apartment. Apparently too much iced mocha is too much. Especially on a night out like tonight.
Dallas held her up steady. "Come on Ally. Just a few more yards." He hobbled to her apartment as she trailed behind and knocked on the door. It opened a minute later to reveal a short Latina with her hair in curlers.
"Ally!" she exclaimed once she saw her best friend. "Are you okay?!"
Ally stumbled into the apartment and dropped herself on the couch. "Me want to sleep," she murmured. "Austin..." she breathed, but only she could hear. "I'm fine Trish!" she added, remembering her friend's question. "Thanks Dallas! Had a great time!"
He smiled and walked out, uncomfortable with Trish's stares.
Not too long after, the door bell rang again. Ally groaned, but her head had cleared a small bit and Trish was busy with her hair, so she got up and walked to the door. Cold winter air swirled in, making her shiver, but she looked at the person.
"Elliot? What are you doing here?"
A/N: So... hi! What's Elliot doing there? *gasp!* So any guesses? Pretty predictable, though. ;) Any thoughts?
Okay, now I'm gone! ;P
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