5/30/15

"UGH, ARE YOU sure this looks good?" I ask as I turn around looking at myself in the mirror.

I turn over to my computer screen to see Hayley rolling her eyes at me. "If you change one more time I swear I'm going to crawl through this screen and punch you."

I purse my lips. "That doesn't tell me if I look good or not Hayley," I mumble.

I hear a sigh as I turn back to the mirror. "Yes, you look amazing Gray! I promise, you know I wouldn't lie to you!" She exclaims.

"I know," I hum in agreement.

I'm wearing a simple white sundress that stands out against my tan skin, and strappy wedges. My blonde hair is pulled back into a ponytail, and I spent a little more time on my makeup than I usually do trying to make myself at least seem put together.

"Don't be nervous G," Hayley tells me.

I twist towards my computer screen. "I'm not nervous," I lie.

Hayley smirks. "It's just a date."

I nod. "I know. But I haven't been on a date in a while and—"

"You actually like Max?" Hayley asks cutting me off.

I bite at the inside of my lip as my face flushes. "I do." I don't know why this date is making me so nervous, but it is. I mean it's just a date, nothing more. And yet, the idea of spending time with Max makes me feel all anxious inside.

"It's okay to like him you know?" Hayley points out.

I turn away from the screen now not wanting to face her. Or more not wanting to face her words. "I know," I say.

"Because I know Cale hurt you and—"

I flip around stopping her with a raised hand. "Please Hayley, let's not go there right now," I beg. "I just want to focus on Max and this date and nothing else, okay?"

Hayley tilts her head with a small smile. "Okay."

I run a hand down my dress, and sit down at my desk so I'm in front of my computer. "How's the internship so far?" I ask.

Hayley's face immediately lights up. "It's so much work—"

"And you love it," I finish for her.

She nods eagerly. "I do, I do! I'm learning so much and it's tough at times but wow..." she breathes. "I don't think I've ever loved this city more honestly."

I cast my gaze down hating the tears that threaten to overflow. I know I should be happy that Hayley is having the summer of her life, and I am. But I can't help but be a tad envious that I'm not there with her. Experiencing the real world, and falling in love with the city again. It's something I wish I could be doing with her instead of being stuck hundreds of miles away.

"How's the ginger?" I ask teasingly.

Hayley narrows her eyes at me. "Maxine," she emphasizes for me, "is doing wonderfully actually."

"Good for her," I say unenthusiastically.

"Don't G," Hayley sighs. "Come on you should be getting excited for your date right now."

I play with the raw hem of my dress. "I am," I murmur.

"You know you're my favorite always," Hayley says with smile.

"I better be," I say with a small playful pout.

She laughs. "Go finish your makeup and have a wonderful date!"

I frown. "My makeup is finished!" I shout.

Hayley tilts her head. "More lip-gloss, and a little more blush," she critiques.

I roll my eyes. "Yeah, yeah," I say sarcastically.

I reach to close my laptop as she yells, "Remember it's not slutty to put out on the first date, and you better text me every detail Gray!"

I chuckle. "Bye Hayley!" And with that I shut my laptop.

I dab on some more gloss and brush on a little more blush, knowing Hayley is usually right about this kind of stuff. I then stand up from desk, and tighten the hair in my ponytail. I do a once over and take a deep breath to ease my nerves. I'm nervous to go on a date with Max, but I'm also so excited it makes me even more anxious. I slide on a few bracelets, and grab my purse and head out of my room.

I walk out into the kitchen to see my parents and Bailey and Cale all sitting around the island. I immediately avoid Cale's gaze. Neither of us has said one word to each other in five days, and it's been awkward as hell between us. But I can't care about our awkwardness anymore. I have to focus on Bailey and mines relationship. After our lunch together I've been making more of an effort to hang out with my sister and be more supportive of her. I know I've lacked in many ways as a sister, but I'm stepping up now and I hope that's what counts.

I inwardly roll my eyes at my family. "Seriously, you guys aren't obvious at all," I say as I walk over to join them.

My mother smiles at me. "Gray, come on we are just excited for you!"

"Why?" I mumble as I mess with my phone.

"Well, it's not like you went on any dates when you were younger," my father points out.

My eyebrows knit together. "That's not true," I say defensively. Hating how my face heats up at that admission in front of Cale. I don't care what he thinks of me, I don't!

"It's okay honey!" my mother comforts. "We never minded when you were a teenager, but now that you're older we love seeing you put yourself out there."

I shrug at her words having nothing to say because she is right. I never went on dates or even let guys entertain the idea of having a chance with me. After that summer with Cale I was so broken I couldn't even think about opening myself up to anyone else.

"Do we get to meet him?" Bailey asks excitingly.

I chuckle at her words. "Yeah right."

"Why can't we meet him?" My father questions with an eyebrow raised.

"Because it's a first date! It might not go anywhere and I'm not gonna have you meet him if it doesn't," I say.

"Well if there is a second or even a third date we are meeting him," my father says strongly.

I nod. "Okay, okay," I relent.

There's a knock at that door and everyone shifts to move. I raise my hands. "Uh uh, no!" I state. "Everyone sit, and no one come to the door with me," I say sternly.

Everyone begins to protest, and no one makes a move to sit back down. I shake my head. "Sit!" I shout at them like they're dogs.

This time they listen, though they look annoyed. I grab my purse from the counter and walk to the front door. I turn around to see everyone's heads crane around to catch a glimpse of my date. Well everyone besides Cale, not that I cared.

I open the door to reveal Max. His smile sends my heart racing and I can't help but smile back in excitement.

"You ready?" he asks as his eyes take in my dress. His eyes linger for a second on my legs and I love the way my skin tingles at his gaze.

"You have no idea," I breathe.

I step out of the house and quickly close the door behind myself. I follow Max down the steps towards his car and rake my eyes over him. I take in his grey jeans, and his navy sweater with a plaid shirt sticking out from beneath. He looks good I can't lie. I like how put together he looks, how clean cut he comes across. But when I look into his eyes all I can see is the wild passion that lies within him.

His eyes catch mine. "You look beautiful by the way Grayson." I can't help but blush at his words.

"Thank you," I respond with a blush.

Max opens the passenger door for me, and I thank him before sliding into the leather seats. His car is clean and sleek and smells like pine. He slides in to the drivers seat and starts the engine.

He pulls out of the drive way and heads towards downtown. "Where are we going?" I ask curiously.

His eyes flick to me before they end up back on the road. "It's a surprise," he smiles.

I sit back in my seat as excitement courses through me at what the surprise could be. "I'm really glad you called me Max," I admit. I was nervous telling him this, but I want him to know how I excited I am about this date and him.

His tongue wet his lips. "I would've called sooner if I had known you were going to wear that dress," he smirks.

I shake my head. "Wow, you really do never give up," I comment.

He laughs, and the sound is beautiful. It's deep and melodious, and makes my skin crawl with a deeper need. "I never give up on the things I want."

I bite my lip at his words.

Max stops in front of Abbiocco the Italian restaurant Bailey and I just went to for lunch a few days back. I smile at the restaurant, though I decide not to say anything because I don't want to ruin whatever Max's surprise might be.

He comes around and opens the door for me, which I love. A man with good manners is something that is always sexy. Max then takes my hand and leads me inside the small festive restaurant. His hand is big and feels warm against the skin of my palm. I realize I like the feeling of his hand in mine, and it kind of scares me.

As soon as we walk in Adela the owner's eyes meet mine, and she storms over to me immediately. "Grayson!" Her thick Italian accent shouts at me in excitement.

Max looks over at me confused, and I just shrug with a knowing smile lifting my lips. "So I'm guessing you've been here before?" he asks in realization as he runs a hand through his dark hair.

Adela rushes over and wraps her arms around me in a hug. She is a tiny little woman, but she is stronger than she looks. Her hair tickles my neck, and she smells like oregano. She places her hands on my cheeks and smiles brightly. "Oh Grayson, how excited I am to see you!" she says. "Clara told me she saw you and Bailey a few days back and I was so sad I missed you!"

I placed a hand on top of hers that still rested on my face. "Yeah, she said you were under the weather. Are you feeling better?" I ask concern lacing my words.

Adela nods. "Just getting old that's it," she says dismissively. And then her eyes slide over to Max who still stands beside me. "And who is this?" She questions with a knowing gleam in her eyes.

I wrap my hand back around Max's body and pull him closer. "This is Max," I tell Adela.

Max sticks out his hand to shake Adela's. "It's nice to meet—"

But Adela cuts him off as she pulls him into a hug instead. "A friend of Grayson is a friend of mine always!"

Max chuckles at Adela's words. "Well it's great to meet you," he says honestly.

"So what brings you lovely children here?" she inquiries.

"We're on a date," I whisper playfully to Adela though loud enough that Max can hear me.

Adela raises her eyebrows at Max. "He is a pretty thing," she comments.

I let out a breathy laugh. "He is," I agree feeling Max's gaze on me making me flush.

Adela grabs some menus and silverware for myself and Max. "I can take you to your table—"

"I...uhh...actually," Max stutters awkwardly stopping Adela in her tracks.

Both Adela and I face Max, as his face turns red in embarrassment. He runs a nervous hand through his dark hair, tugging at the ends. "I actually had my friend Fin set up something for us..." he trails.

Adela claps her hands and let's a small squeak. "That's for you?"

Max nods as I look at him quizzically.

"Well follow me this way," Adela says eagerly.

Max laces his fingers through mine as we follow Adela through the upbeat restaurant. This place is always packed, but on the weekends it's a whole other ball game. A live band plays, the bar is packed, and food and wine are consumed at crazy levels. It's as if in this small town we have a small gateway into Italy, and it's beautiful.

Adela leads us out to the patio, which is filled with couples. But she takes us to a separate part of the patio that I've never been to before. It's usually reserved for parties or even weddings, but never general seating.

We reach the reserved area and a small gasp falls from my lips at the sight in front of me. Sparkling lights are strung up everywhere making it look as if the stars are surrounding us. A single table sits in the middle of the fallen stars with lilies placed in a vase at the center.

I turn to Max in surprise. "What? How? I don't...." I mumble unable to find the words to describe how I feel.

It's like a dream. I've never had a guy do this for me, or anything even close and I'm shaken from the way my heart squeezes.

Max's green eyes light up. "I had to do something big to impress the one girl who doesn't impress so easily," he smirks.

I wet my lips and blink away the few misty tears that linger in my eyes. I am so thrown off and filled with an excitement I didn't even know lived in me anymore.

"This is perfect," I say quietly.

He steps closer to me. "So you're actually impressed?"

"Beyond."

* * * * *

"So how did you know I like lilies?" I ask as Max leads me to the front door of my house.

It was late. We stayed at the restaurant until they were closed and then some. Max and I could talk for hours and it felt so natural. Besides Hayley, I've never been so comfortable talking to someone so quickly. We could talk about nothing or we could go as deep as we needed. It was honestly amazing, and surprising.

Max shrugs. "I didn't know they were your favorites honestly," he admits. "They're my mom's favorite."

I stop before we reach my front steps and look up at Max a little taken back by his words.

"What?" he asks confused by my sudden pause.

I smile. "I thought you would give me some line," I say honestly. "But you got me your mom's favorite flowers." I knew how important Max's mother was to him. He graduated college early and came back to town to live with his mother. She was getting older, and had had a few surgeries recently. So Max was living with her for a while to help her out. So the fact that he got me his mother's favorite flower makes my heart do weird things.

His eyes squint. "Is that wrong?" he asks nervously.

I shake my head. "No, I love it."

His hands pull me up the steps to the front door. "Would you rather me give you a cheesy line?" he chuckles.

"Nope," I smirk.

"You sure?" he pushes with a raised eyebrow.

I laugh. "I'm sure."

Max's thumbs rub against the skin on the outside of hands warming me. "I had fun tonight Grayson," he says. His green eyes hold mine and I can't help but step closer. He's pulling me in, and I can't help but want to fall. It's scary the idea of falling all over again, but at the same time I just want to take the dive.

"Yeah me too," I agree as my eyes flicker to the ground. His eyes are too vibrant, his smile too bright, and I don't want to fall too soon so I take a small step back.

He takes my step back as me not wanting to take anything further tonight. But that is far from the truth. I want Max to kiss me so bad, but I am nervous. We have a great connection and our conversation is great, but taking it to that next level makes it so real.

Max's hands drop from mine and he itches at his ear awkwardly. "Well it was fun yeah," he pauses before heading down the front steps. "I'm gonna get going," he says as he points to his car.

His back is facing me and he is almost to his car when I say the words that have been on my lips since the night I met him. "Aren't you going to finish what you started?" I rush out loudly.

Max's body flips around to face me. His head cocks to the side in confusion. "What?"

I clear my throats and swallow my nerves. "Aren't you going to finish what you started at the bar?" I ask referencing the night I met him when our kiss was stopped short. I force a small confident smirk to play on my lips, and place my hands on my hips. I push away my nerves and let what I want wash over, and what I want is Max.

His eyes light at my words, and in two steps he's up the front steps and his lips are on mine. His hands land on my cheeks and he pulls my face in closer if possible. My body sways into his as my hands wrap around his firm waist. His lips are soft against mine, yet they press into me with a rough eagerness. I love the way he feels pressed up against me, so I press into him more.

Max deepens the kiss as his tongue plays with mine. My nails dig into the skin on his hips making him growl with a need that wraps through me. His teeth nip at my lips before diving back in for more. The kiss makes my head spin and I love the way he draws me in.

In the back of my head I'm aware I'm above water still. I'm not drowning like I do with Cale, but at the same time I don't know if I should be.