Page 64 of Swim To Me

“You’re so into him! What’s happening on Saturday? Where’s he taking you?”

“To the Victoria and Albert Museum, he’s picking me up at one.” I sound dreamlike to my own ears, in sheer disbelief. It’s been so long since I’ve been on a proper date, I—

“No spiralling,” Aurelia warns me, able to feel the tensing of my body. “We’ll pick you out a dress to wear, shoes to go with it… I can get you a cute set of lingerie from work if you think you’re gonna—”

“Shush.”

“What?! You’re the one who’s already slept with him! I’m just being a helpful sister.”

My legs are turning to jelly again. “Can I even do this, Aura?”

“Yes, you can, and you’re going too. You’re going to have an amazing time, Delilah, just you watch.”

Chapter 16

Delilah

Ithrow myself into work for the rest of the week, happy to be in the throng of something comforting, something familiar.

The nervous butterflies in my stomach continue to pester me, but they’re full on causing a riot by the time I step out of the shower on Saturday morning, freshly washed, moisturised and shaved. Date ready.

Just in case – I like to be prepared.

It’s almost one by the time I’ve finished applying a light coat of makeup to my face, taming my curls with some serum, and securing them with a claw clip in a half up, half down style.

For how long my curls will last, I have no clue, seeing as outside the rain is flying down from the heavy clouds, soaking everything in its wake until the concrete pavement below has taken on a darker colour. It’s impossible to even see the skyline, the tips of the tallest buildings visible, but only if you know where to look for them.

Usually, weather like this makes me tired, sluggish almost. Practically hibernating, I’ll typically brew myself a cup of tea, pick up a book and curl up in my reading nook, whistling the hours away.

But I can’t sit still today even if I wanted too.

Anticipatory energy running rampant through me, I head to my wardrobe, plucking out a cream-coloured maxi dress, which highlights my smooth decolletage and clings to my large bust, cinched in waist and rounded hips. Paired with some gold jewellery, my black and white trainers and a lightweight chocolate brown cardigan to ward off the chill, I’m ready to go.

Grey knocks on my door at exactly one, standing in the hallway, wearing a dapper pair of tailored black slacks and a white button down. I grip the edge of the door, so I don’t fall down at the sheer sight of him.

“Hi.”

“Hey, yourself.” He grins, both dimples popping, and then pushes a small bouquet of red and pink roses towards me. “For you.”

Heart stuttering, I gather the flowers from him, rising up on my tiptoes to wrap my arm around his neck and pull him in for a kiss. It feels wrong to kiss him on the cheek after everything we’ve already done together, so I settle for a quick peck on his soft lips, feeling the slightly damp fringe of his hair, from the rain outside, tickle my forehead as Grey leans down.

He smells amazing, minty and masculine, but there’s a part of me that misses the chlorine scent which typically permeates his skin.

“You ready to go?”

“Yeah, let me just put these in some water.”

Grey waits while I find a vase, filling it with water and stuffing the flowers inside. I lock up, throwing my keys into my small cream handbag, and then descend the stairs, trying not to let my thoughts run wild.

It’s not that I don’t feel safe with Grey, far from it. Or that I don’t want to be here, I do. It’s just the never-ending sea of what-ifs my brain creates, which is causing me to feel—

Long fingers loop themselves through mine, our synced footsteps clattering down the stairs of my apartment building. Grey squeezes, once and then twice, until I’m peering over at him. “Don’t overthink it.”

Curls bouncing about my face, I nod, lips pressing together to smooth out my lip gloss before I speak. “Are you enjoying the book–wait–where are you going?”

Instead of turning left to head towards the nearest tube station, Grey pulls me in the other direction, urging me towards a black car.

“I hope you don’t mind.” He holds open the backdoor open, rain spitting down on both of us as I stare up at him confused. “I thought this way we wouldn’t get soaked from the rain.”

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