Meri's POV

I can't believe he was about to kiss me, and I blew it. What I wouldn't give to actually kiss him. I wanted to so bad, but panicked at the last second. He probably thinks I am a bitch. I decide to change my clothes again since we're going out. I pull out an extra pair of clothes I brought with me just in case. They aren't fancy by any means, but they should be okay for tonight.

I shimmy on the black skinny jeans, and button my beige blouse. Just as the bathroom door opens I throw on my tan ankle boots. I look up as I zip the left one and I feel like my eyes are bugging out of my head. He looks so good in his tight green shirt, leather jacket, skinny jeans and tan boots. I don't know how that boy pulls off skinny jeans the way he does, but he does it so well.

"Ready?" he asks shaking me from my thoughts.

I nod and smile afraid to speak because I know my voice would be shaky. He reaches out to me again and I can't not take his hand. Our fingers collapse together easily, and we walk in silence downstairs. The restaurant on the lower level is pretty empty thankfully. It takes only a few minutes for them to get us a table. Our booth is in the very back, and it's pretty dark and secluded back here. I can't believe how nervous I am, I've been with him all day but this moment just feels more nerve wracking than waking up in bed with him.

"I so wish places like this served chicken fingers for adults," I say breaking our silence.

Taylor chuckles and peeks around the menu to look at me.

"If you wanted chicken fingers I could have taken you to like a barbeque place, there are a ton here in the city," he tells me.

"Think we still have time to flee?" I ask.

"I honestly don't think they would notice," he says.

We put our menus down and walk out of the restaurant like we would get in trouble if we were caught. By the time we get out onto the darkened streets of Manhattan we break out into laughter. People walk by us staring, but I don't care. He takes my hand again pulling me down the street.

We arrive at a well-lit restaurant just a few blocks away. I can smell pulled pork and greasy chicken and I finally feel at home. I am not much for fancy dinners, I'd settle for a picnic with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

"I'm going to get the Barbeque chicken fingers, you?" I ask.

He puts the menu down on the table and nods.

"I think I'll get the same," he says.

The waitress comes over and Taylor gestures for me to order first. I smile and then look up at her, she's intimidatingly beautiful. She's got soft blonde hair and tan skin. Her eyes wander to Taylor every few seconds, but his eyes remain on me. I can see him from the corner of my eyes as I stare at our waitress.

"Would you like any appetizers?" she asks.

"Yes, onion rings?" I ask.

"I was going to order the same," Taylor adds in.

I look over at him, "You can share with me," I offer.

"Sure," he says.

The waitress then turns to him and gets his order. A few minutes later she comes back with some drinks. A loud rowdy crew at the bar shouts as a sports team scores on the TV. Taylor looks over at them and then back at me.

"This is so much better," I tell him. "Plus it's more in my price range," I laugh.

"It's on me," he says.

"What?"

"Dinner, it's on me," he clarifies.

"What? No you can't..."

He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his again. I'll never get tired of his touch. Shivers run down my spine as he squeezes gently. Our onion rings come and we pull our hands apart. The waitress is looking at him, but he's still staring at me. I've never been on a date with someone who... wait this isn't a date get a grip Meredith. I grab an onion ring to silence my thoughts and it works because these are amazing.

"Good?" he questions noticing my reaction.

"If I could live off chicken fingers and onion rings I'd never have to leave my house," I tell him.

He nods in agreement and continues to eat with me.