Page 4 of For the Love of Lily

I’m still trying to make my mind up x

I did mean what I said. No pressure. How about dinner on Friday evening? Somewhere near you so you aren’t on the train alone at night-time x

Like a proper date-date? x

Yes, a proper date-date x

At this moment, ten thousand butterflies began completing synchronised back flips within my stomach. I recalled how nice his eyes looked as he watched me over the coffee-shop table. I thought of his hand brushing across mine, and instantly, goosebumps began to appear up my arms.

A conversation between Luke and I shortly before his trip ran through my mind. Luke had told me that life was short, and maybe it was time to start taking chances, to start being brave.

I would love to x

You made my day x

Two

The entire week seemed to pass in slow motion, each day ticking by in slow drips as I careered between excitement and dread.

Cassie was a bouncing ball of excitement. She sent me hundreds of photos of dresses and hairstyles she thought I should try. I called Luke a couple more times to no avail. It looked as though I’d have to wait until he returned to tell him my news.

My thoughts swung wildly between wishing it were Friday already, and wondering if I should call the date off. Zack and I messaged each day, he had a way of putting me at ease, something about him made me feel assured. We seemed to somehow have a connection already, and, by some miracle he hushed the little voices of doubt in my mind.

We arranged to meet at a restaurant near to my flat, a couple of minutes from the train station. I’d never been, but Cassie assured me it was the epitome of style and romance, plus had amazing cheesecake – my weakness!

When Friday finally sauntered along, it brought with it a warm, sunny breeze, full of promise. After the longest day at work, I styled my hair into soft, relaxed curls and used so much product it shone like polish, then I slipped the dress that Cassie had helped me choose over my shoulders. It was knee-length, a stunning emerald-green colour, with short sleeves made of lace. Cassie had even lent me her black Louis Vuitton heels that had been an anniversary gift. Having a best friend with the same size feet and a flawless shoe collection was perfection. Just to add to the pressure, I now also needed to focus on not tripping and breaking said expensive designer shoes. They were perfect with the dress I noted, glancing up and down my reflection in the full-length mirror.

Was this too dressy? What did people do for dates? I took a selfie in the mirror and sent it to Cassie, hoping for an opinion. Looking at the time, though, she’d be putting Ruby and Emilia to bed. As I headed downstairs, I once again wished that Luke was around for moral support.

My heart hammered sporadically as the taxi pulled up outside the restaurant. I felt a moment of apprehension as my phone pinged with a message. I wondered if Zack had changed his mind and wanted to cancel. I fumbled with the phone, clumsily unlocking the screen as I stepped into the evening air.

Drop Dead Gorgeous! I’d do you! Enjoy! C x

That girl always made me laugh, and as I looked up, I spotted Zack walking the short distance over to me.

“Someone made you smile,” he teased, “and it wasn’t me?”

“It was Cassie messing with me. It’s nice to see you again.” I had underestimated how good it would feel to see him again, my internal temperature seemed to have risen by about five degrees.

He moved forward and kissed my cheek. He smelled amazing, like citrus and spice. A scent that would stay with me and play on my senses. He wore a dark blue shirt under a matching jacket, with faultless black jeans. He looked good. My eyes travelled down his body, and I snapped myself back to the present in the nick of time.

“You look out of this world…” His voice was quiet and low.

“You look pretty good yourself.” The air thickened around us, almost as if time moved slower. Zack held his hand out to me, and as I took hold of it, a spark zipped into me. He led me inside, and the atmosphere only added to the sensory overload I was already beginning to feel.

One side of the restaurant was like a living wall of dusky peonies and roses. Soft lights cast warm shadows. Each table we passed as we were led to our own was separated from the others by a white crescent-shaped trellis, giving each a sensation of privacy.

A reluctance crossed my mind as I let go of Zack’s hand to sit down. What was it about his touch that felt so moreish to me? “I’m sorry, I’ve gone all weird and awkward again, haven’t I?”

“Not at all,” he replied. “I know I said it already, but you look stunning.”

I smiled, he made me feel completely beautiful, and I hadn’t felt that way in the longest time. In a moment of mischief, I sent him the full-length selfie which had winged its way to Cassie earlier. “There you go, lasting memory.”

“We should get one together before the night is out.”

We made small talk, but it felt as though something had shifted since we met for coffee. This felt more real, more invested. Those butterflies in my stomach moved further down my body and awakened feelings I hadn’t had in a long time as the evening went on. It could have been a magical spell, it could have been coincidence, who knows? But the wine tasted better than ever. The food was cooked to perfection, and Cassie had been so, so right about their cheesecake. It felt as though we were trying to soak each other in, and the time flew by.

As the waiter took our dessert dishes away, Zack’s leg pressed against mine. I’d been so careful all night not to brush against him, but now that he’d made the move, I felt the connection of it throughout my entire body. I didn’t want it to stop.

---