204
Lucy
As we stepped out of the diner, the sun was casting a warm glow over everything around us. David’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I hope you had a good time today.”
I nodded, a genuine smile gracing my lips. “I really did. Thank you, David.”
“Care for a walk for a bit?”
I nodded and fell into step beside him. I didn’t want to be done, but I couldn’t find anything to say. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, exactly, but I wanted to talk. It felt like there was so much to say. Then, he caught my hand and twined our fingers together. My face burned, but I tightened my grip on his hand, letting the silence stand.
We walked around until it started to get dark before we walked back to his car.
As he opened the door for me, David turned to me, his expression earnest. “I can drive you back to the White Moon Pack House if you’d like.”
I hesitated for a moment, considering his offer. Then, with a slight smile, I said, “Actually, would you mind taking me home?”
David’s eyes were gleeful and surprised as he helped me in.
“Wherever you want to go.”
I was nervous the whole drive, even as we chatted about school and everything in between. I gave him the address, and he didn’t need directions after that. As we pulled up in front of Stacy’s building, I felt some of my tension ease.
“Are you comfortable here?” David asked.
I nodded. “They’ve been really nice... I have my own kitchen and everything.”
“That’s good. I’ll walk you up.”
As he got out of the car and walked around to my side, a warm smile graced his lips. I stepped out, and he closed the door behind me. My heart felt lighter than it had in a while. David walked me to the entrance of the building. I couldn’t shake off the flutter of nerves that had taken residence in my stomach. My day with David had been amazing, and the prospect of seeing him again so soon was both thrilling and slightly intimidating.
We stopped in front of the glass doors. My heart raced. It felt a bit like before when he dropped me off in front of the White Moon Pack House.
My stomach was twisting into knots.
“Well, I’ll see you soon, Lucy,” he said with a soft smile.
“Definitely,” I replied, a spark of anticipation in my voice.
He didn’t move. I didn’t move. I bit my lip as that purple light seemed to simmer in his eyes. He reached out, and just as I thought maybe, just maybe, he would kiss me this time, the automatic doors slid open, and I heard Tina’s voice.
“Well, well, what do we have here?”
I turned to look at her as David’s hand fell away from my face.
Tina looked from David to me, her expression a mix of curiosity and amusement.
“Are you the boyfriend?” Tina asked.
My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a mix of surprise and apprehension. David’s smile trembled at the edges.
“Maybe one day.”
Tina squealed and thrust her hand out. “I’m Tina. I’ve known Lucy since we were kids.”
“The same.”
“Oh, so this is a childhood romance, blossoming--”
“I think that’s enough,” I said, my face burning as I looked at Tina. “Don’t you have something to do?”
She grinned mischievously. “Oh, nothing very pressing. My ride isn’t here yet...”
I wished I could just melt into a puddle or that the ground would swallow me whole. Was there a spell to avoid embarrassing situations like this?
“So, where’d you go?” Tina asked. “Candlelight?”
He laughed. “A diner, actually.”
He caught my eye. “Maybe next time.”
Tina squealed again. “Oh, I like him. You should keep him, Lucy.”
“Yeah,” David said, grinning. “Keep me.”
Then, a car pulled up, and she sighed. “Well, I guess that’s all the time I have to tease you for now.”
She pinched my cheek. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
She winked at me before strolling away, leaving me slightly flustered.
I turned to David, my heart racing as the silence between us seemed to carry unspoken thoughts.
“She seems fun.”
“She’s...” I glanced at the car as it didn’t move. “A laugh and a half.”
He chuckled. “I suppose dropping you off at home is no less complicated than dropping you off at the pack house.”
I sighed. “I guess not...”
“I, uh, thanks for the ride and everything,” I stammered, keeping my eyes on the ground. The mood was gone. In place of nervous butterflies was nothing but awkwardness. I turned back to the building. He caught my hand gently and tugged me back, cupping my face with his hand and pulling me closer. David’s hand reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. For a moment, I thought he might lean in for a kiss again, but he didn’t.
“I meant that,” he whispered, his breath was warm against my forehead. “And you make it so hard to think about anything else.”
He lowered his head and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek before pulling back. My heart fluttered. My face burned, but I still wanted him to kiss me.
“I’ll send you the invitation soon
“I’ll get you the details about the dance classes soon.”
“Y-Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
My heart fluttered as I met his eyes. “Me too. Good night, Lucy.”
“G-Good night, David.”
With one last smile, he turned and walked back to his car, leaving me standing there with a mixture of excitement and anticipation bubbling inside me. I watched him drive away, disappointed about the turn of the night and embarrassed. As I headed into the building, I couldn’t help but wonder about the dance classes, the upcoming festival, and the feelings that were beginning to bloom, especially my frustration and disappointment. My heart was still racing, but I...
I bit my lip. I really wanted him to kiss me, and he didn’t, and I didn’t know exactly why. Tina had interrupted, but still. Maybe he hadn’t wanted to?
I pushed that thought away. He definitely had. The way his eyes were glowing was proof enough, so why?
“So, that was the boyfriend, hm?”
I looked up at the receptionist’s desk to see most of my floor hanging around. Each of them had a sly look on their faces. No way. How long had they been there? Had David noticed them and decided against kissing me?
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be grateful or just frustrated as the mischievous glints in their eyes seemed to brighten.
“Quite the looker.”
“Looks like he has money.”
I glowered at them and tried to walk past them, but they followed me.
“I really don’t--”
“No kiss, though. Bummer. We told Tina not to go out when we saw you two outside, but she didn’t listen.”
“Blame her.”
I scowled and jabbed the elevator button.
“If you bang on her wall at five in the morning, she’d deserve it.”
“He was cute too. Daddies are your type, huh?”
I turned back to look at her. “He’s only nineteen!”
Someone let out a wolf whistle and slung her arm around my shoulders.
“Better watch out if he’s like that at nineteen, Lucy. You’ll get swept up and away so fast....”
“Maybe that’s what she’s hoping for.”
I scowled. “Don’t tease me.”
“Should we just leave it to Tina?” One of them asked. “She’ll be back in like an hour.”
I moaned and tried to hurry to the elevator to the sounds of them laughing. I tried my best not to stop, hoping that the teasing wouldn’t follow me, but it did.
“Back already, Lucy?” Stacy asked, stepping out of the conference room, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Don’t.”
“Hold on,” she said, with a soft expression. She touched my arm gently.
“Relax a bit. Hm? They mean well. We’re all happy for you. It’s pretty clear that David is into you.”
I ducked my head and shuffled my feet. She cooed and threw her arms around me.
“You are just the cutest. Ah, young love with the roses and the fairy lights...”
I huffed as she squeezed me close.
“Enjoy it,” she said. “I know it can all be kind of scary and feels a bit complicated, but don’t let your worries hold you back. Life’s too short for that.”
“Thanks...”
“Of course... But also expect teasing for at least another week.” She winked. “At least until your next date.”
“Stacy!”
“You think you’ll get a kiss next time?”
I scurried toward the elevator. “Oh, you wanted one! Just grab him by the tie next time!”
“Good night!”
Her laughter followed me all the way upstairs, but I couldn’t stop smiling. It was nice to have them teasing me because they cared, nice to feel like I belonged even if I wasn’t doing the same kind of work.
I crawled into bed with my cheek still tingling and a bit disappointed.
I really wanted that kiss.
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