Elizabeth left her hair curly for their movie date but she put on a cute sweater and an even cuter denim skirt. It showcased her toned, long legs which Rosie insisted all men loved. She went with it.
At precisely 6:55pm on Saturday evening, the doorbell rang and Elizabeth's nerves kicked in. Also excitement to see him again. So she hurried to the door, making sure to beat Rosie there.
"Hey," she said with a smile, opening the door.
"Hi." He handed her a single red rose. "This is for you."
She sneezed and he watched in dismay. Of course she'd be allergic.
"I'm just kidding. I love roses. I'm not allergic." She smiled and squeezed his hand. "Want to come in for a second? I'll just put this in a vase, if I can find one."
"Sure." He closed the door behind him and followed her to the kitchen. "Something smells good."
"I made blondies and I got a pint of ice cream so we can make sundaes."
"And popcorn, soda and licorice? Wow."
"What's a movie without those things?"
She found a mason jar in the cupboard, so she trimmed the stem of the rose and added it to the glass with a bit of water. "There."
"You look so nice tonight," he said, stepping closer.
"Thank you, Lucas. So do you." He had the amazing sexy combo of khaki shorts and an olive colored button down. It made her heart race.Woo-hoo! Especially with the color open.
"Shall we go?" he asked, offering his hand.
"Yeah." She grabbed her dessert and his hand, and they walked out the door and down the sidewalk to the condo he was sharing with Lee.
"Lee promised he would be leaving soon so he won't be watching the movie with us."
"Yeah, he's coming to our condo to be with Rosie."
"Yeah."
"How long have you known Lee?" she asked.
"Since freshman year. His freshman and my sophomore. We were in the same class and the rest is history."
She walked into his condo with him just as Lee walked out. "Have fun, guys!"
The condo looked pretty much the same as hers as far as layout goes but the color scheme was different. This was more modern and white. A lot of white.
"Wow. Its so white."
"Yeah."
"I'm not going to decorate my properties in white."
"No?"
"Nope. I have multiple pinterest boards for this."
"Rosie said you didn't have a plan. Sounds like you do to me."
"I do for some things but…not everything."
"So does this bother you? Just getting to know each other, since we aren't making plans further out?"
"To be honest, it does scare me. But mostly because I'm not a dater. I've dated, but in high school and just a couple times. I'm scared of things I don't know." She leaned against the door and stared at her hands. "I'm sorry if that makes me less fun or boring or whatever. I'm trying to change."
"Hey," he whispered, taking her dessert from her and putting it down. Then he pulled her into a hug. "I don't want you to change. You don't need to change for anyone, especially me."
"You give good hugs," she said, sinking into his arms. "You make me feel safe."
"You are safe, Elizabeth."
She barely knew the man, but she believed him.
"You don't have to be scared but if I ever do anything to make you that way, I need you to tell me. I will try very hard to make you comfortable." He stepped back, grabbed dessert and her hand and led her to the kitchen.
He pulled out a box of popcorn with extra butter and a large bowl. "Two bags?" he asked, winking.
"Sure. That'll do. Where are the glasses? I can pour us some soda."
"In this cupboard right next to me."
She walked up next to him and put her hand on his back, reaching for the glasses. "You smell good," she told him, her face turning a nice pink. He loved that color.
"You too. Is your shampoo citrus?"
"Its an orange vanilla shampoo, yes."
"Pretty sure its my new favorite scent."
She giggled and bumped her hip against his. He smiled at her.
"I find it hard to believe you're boring, Elizabeth."
"Let me convince you. I study every night because I want the best grade possible. My friends go out but I always decline the invite because I like to just stay home and read and take a bubble bath."
"Sounds relaxing."
"It is."
"It sounds a little lonely though."
"Yeah."
"Do you feel lonely, Elizabeth?"
"Not anymore," she admitted, pouring their soda.
"Good. Maybe we can study together in the evenings."
"I would love that." Although she was envisioning his chocolate eyes distracting her immensely.
"Good. Me too."
They grabbed the popcorn, red vines and soda and headed to the large cushy sectional. He chose a middle cushion and she sat down next to him. Not too close but not too far away either.
He hit play on his phone and the movie popped up on the large screen tv that was above the fireplace.
"I hope you like this movie," he mentioned, "but no pressure."
"I'm sure I will. It's a classic, right?"
"Oh yeah. Casablanca is a real place too. I'd love to go there someday."
"Morocco?"
"Yeah. It would be cool to just say I went there. Do you ever want to travel?"
"I'm not sure. This trip is my first since I was a kid."
"Where did you and your sisters go when you were a kid?" he asked.
"My dad is a CEO of an accounting firm in Raleigh so he traveled a lot to set up other branches of his firm. We went to Florida and California. My favorite was Chicago. I loved the water. Maybe that's why I want my properties to be on the beach."
"You haven't mentioned your mom, Elizabeth."
"She passed away about six years ago now."
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
"Thanks. It was a hard thing to go through but my Dad is remarried now to a wonderful woman named Lynn and he's happy so…"
She leaned close when he put his arm around her shoulders. He could feel her sadness, but it wasn't too deep. The time must have eased it a bit.
"This popcorn is good," she said, smiling at him, her eyes a bit wet.
He kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger a moment. "I'm glad."
"I think my mom would have loved you," she whispered.
"Yeah? Why's that?"
"She had a thing for tall men with dark hair. My dad, of course, was one before his hair went gray."
He smiled and took a sip of soda. "Do you have a thing for tall men?"
She blushed. "I do now."
"I'm sure your mom was wonderful."
"She was."
"What was her name?"
"Grace."
"Beautiful."
She leaned her head back in the crook of his shoulder and her eyes drifted down to his lips. They were so close and she wondered if they were as soft as they looked.
He moved a centimeter toward her, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. On the other hand, staring at his lips was the universal sign for "I want to kiss you."
"Its okay," she told him.
"Are you sure?"
She raised her palm and cupped his slightly rough cheek. "Yes."
He ever so slowly lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to hers. It felt like a soft caress, and it was perfect.
"Mm," she moaned when he pulled back. Yes, this man was wonderful. "Thank you for asking. That was very sweet of you."
"I just want you to be completely comfortable."
"I am."
She wrapped her free arm around his waist and settled in for the rest of the movie.
She smiled when the movie was done. "That was really good, Lucas. I can see why its your favorite."
"Right?" They stayed cuddled on the couch for a bit longer.
"Tell me about your mom and dad. I already know about your dad being an architect. What does your mom do?"
"She's a book editor. It was something she could do from home while I was a kid. She enjoys it and my Dad loves his job too."
"Where have you traveled, Luke?"
"Mm, lets see. Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Georgia…"
"Wow!"
"I really would love to go to Alaska though. Haven't been there."
Elizabeth slipped her fingers between his and smiled.
"What?"
"Nothing. I just…I really am enjoying getting to know you."
"Me too, Elizabeth."
"Why don't we have some dessert? I'd love a sundae."
"Okay. Sounds good."
…..
When Elizabeth walked back in her own condo's door, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face. He had kissed her once more on the porch and then they promised to see each other in the morning for breakfast at the diner down the street.
"Elizabeth," Lee gasped, walking through the room in his boxers. "Um…"
"I don't want to know…I'm not judging what you and your fiancé do. That's your own business. The only thing I ask is that you wear more clothes when walking through our house."
"Yeah…um…Sorry." He hurried down the hallway and Elizabeth decided to camp out on the couch. She didn't want to be anywhere near her own bedroom at the moment.
Lee wandered out a few moments later, fully clothed, and slipped on his shoes. "Did you have a good time tonight?" he asked.
"Yeah. Lucas is a great guy. We are having breakfast tomorrow."
"That's nice, Elizabeth. He is a great guy. He'll treat you very well. If he doesn't, he knows he'll have to answer to me."
"Lee, I can care for myself but I appreciate that."
"I know you can…I just…we're friends and I like to make sure my friends are happy."
"I am. You don't need to worry."
He opened the front door.
"Lee, the same goes for you, you know."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean if you hurt Rosie, you'll have to answer to me."
He smiled. "Noted. And don't worry. I love her too much to hurt her."
"Good."
As much as she wanted to keep her amazing date to herself, she wanted to talk to her best friend about it too. So, she knocked on her bedroom door.
"Come in."
"Hey."
Rosie squealed and patted the bed beside her.
"Um…I'd rather talk on the couch. Lee was just here. It's just weird."
"Oh, right. Okay. Give me a minute and then I'll be out, okay?"
"Sure."
Five minutes later, Rosie was sitting on the couch with her.
"Oh my goodness, Beth, you need to tell me everything."
"He's so amazing, Rosie."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. He makes me feel so safe and wanted and…comfortable."
"That's very important."
"It is."
Elizabeth blushed as she replayed in her mind the kisses they shared. How gentle and caring he was and how it left her wanting more.
"OOOO Beth! He kissed you!"
"How on earth did you know that?"
"I can tell. You have the "I've been kissed" glow."
"Is that a thing?"
"Absolutely." They both giggled.
"Yeah, he did and it was perfect."
"That's awesome. I'm so happy for you. Now I have some news too."
"I don't want to know details about Lee and you and why he was here in only his boxers. Nope."
"Its about Lee but not that."
"Oh ok. Tell please."
"We are moving to San Diego. After this semester."