Page 16 of A Me and You Thing
“This is where it all began,” he adds, his eyes glittering in the soft light.
“Yes. I remember that night so well.” We’re sitting at the exact table we sat at during our first date. I love that Sawyer thought of doing this for me. There’s a whole lot of romance hidden inside my adventurous man.
He leans forward, as though he’s dying to be closer. “When I think back on that night, you know what stands out in my memory?”
“I think I know. I felt it too, but I want to hear you say it.” I believe he’s going to mention the electric physical attraction between us. It was strong and immediate.
“Okay. I loved how neither one of us seemed nervous. Our conversation flowed like we’d known each other forever. I don’t think there was one single moment of awkward silence the entire night. I loved that,” he finishes, his smile tender.
I think he reads the unsaidoopson my face. “Am I right?” he asks.
“Yes, of course, I loved that too.” I did love our conversation that night. It was like we were the only two people in the crowded restaurant. No one else existed. I loved the way he told me about his jobs with so much enthusiasm. I loved how he listened when it was my turn to talk and that the conversation wasn’t one-sided.
He finishes his meal. “Too?”
“I thought you were going to say something else.”
“You mean, The Kiss?”
Yes. The Kiss. The memory makes me hot all over to this day. “That and the instant connection between us physically.” I flash him a cheesy smile. “Sorry for thinking of that first. Shame on me.”
“No. Shame on me for pretending that wasn’t the best part. I’m trying to be romantic here.”
“I’m sorry, I’ll let you. Go on.”
“Now I don’t remember anything else except The Kiss.” He winks at me.
First love. First kiss. Powerful stuff. The Kiss was a physical manifestation of our feelings. I thought my heart was trying to escape from my chest that night. Seriously, my heart has never pounded that hard.
“When you feel love, you give it and the more you give, the more it’s returned. I felt your love that night, as though it was another person in the room with us. That person, he’s never left... and I don’t want him to. I invite him into our home and our relationship every day. It’s nice to have him around. I like when he hangs out all the time. He never wears out his welcome. He’s immortal. As long as we keep feeding him, he never dies, he never gets sick, and he never leaves. He’s always there, waiting and watching for us to give him the attention he deserves. He’s real and very powerful, perhaps the most powerful force on earth. That’s why he demands so much respect. Never trifle with him. He’ll leave you crushed and gasping for air. Embrace him, and life as you know it will never be the same. I love your love for me. I absolutely love it. The Kiss, that was the first time I felt it. Mind blown.”
“Quinn Speech. How will I live without them for two weeks?”
“How will I survive with no one willing to listen to me for two weeks?”
He grins. “Text them to me. I’ll listen.”
He might regret that offer. “You know, I’d never kissed a guy on a first date before. That’s supposed to be a rule among all women. I broke it thoroughly.”
“Indisputably.” He raises one eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“Don’t remind me. I worried about it all night and into the next day, wondering what you thought of me. I felt sure you thought I was... more experienced than I actually was.”
“Nah, The Kiss was unforgettable. But your reaction to it spoke volumes.”
“What do you mean?” He’s never told me this before.
“You don’t remember?”
“Oh, I’ll never forget it. It’s one of my most precious memories. Nothing could erase you from my memory, Sawyer. Absolutely nothing.”
“Do you remember the walk up to your apartment door?”
“Yes. I didn’t want the evening to end. I felt like I was floating up the stairs.” Love is a crazy emotion.
“Me too. It was wild. Then you invited me in.”
“I don’t know what I was thinking. It was our first date, for heaven’s sake.” I shake my head.
