Sara’s POV

As stupid as it sounds, it’s the best date I’ve been on in a long time. Yes, we were sat in a greasy café having fry ups as big as the table with enough coffee to fill a swimming pool but the conversation was flowing and I was having fun. I needed to have fun.

“So…” Eddie said, taking a forkful of food and shoving it in his mouth, chewing quickly before swallowing it, shutting his eyes as if he’d swallowed too big of an amount at once. “I know they say not to talk about past relationships when on dates, but I’m intrigued. I want to know what I’m competing with.” He winked at me. I bit my lips together, desperately tried to hide the smile that was trying to grow.

“You’re joking right?” I laughed, but he stared intently at me.

“No… I’m serious! I must have a high standard to meet!” He smiled at me. I knew he meant it in a nicer way than he was explaining. I twisted my hair round my finger.

“I’ve only had two serious relationships really.” I shrugged.

“Two?” He looked confused at me.

“Yeah. One guy I went out with for 8 months, but we just argued all the time… I was single for a good couple of years before I met my most recent ex. We dated for 2 years, he was controlling but I fell head over heels for him. What an idiot…” I shook my head as I lowered it to look at my almost empty plate of food. “That was a year ago.” He smiled sympathetically at me, taking my hand in his across the table.

“He sounds like a jerk. Forget about him. You can and will find better.” I slowly looked up to him, my eyes filled with tears but I smiled a heart-warming smile.

“Are you better than them?” I asked him, hoping for a quick answer but he looked deflated, he hesitated and avoided eye contact for a few seconds. He sat in thought, his eyebrows furrowed. I could tell he was desperately debating with himself in his head, but what about? I’d asked a simple question. I furrowed my eyebrows as I waited for his answer.

“Yes…” He hesitated. “I think. I mean, you’d have to tell me!” He laughed nervously. I nodded; he was obviously trying to lighten the mood.

“I hope you are.” I said. “What about you? How many girlfriends am I competing with?” I smiled. A guy like that must have had millions! If anything, I’m just another girl in his little black book, but I like him. A lot. I’m scared I’m going to do the same as I did with my ex; fall hopelessly in love and then it’ll all screw up somehow!

“Only a few…” He said, confidently. “Only recently got out of a really long relationship, like 5 years. We were planning on getting married and everything.” He said, looking at the table.

“Aww, I’m sorry to hear that!” I said, squeezing his hand. “I mean if you don’t want to do… you know, this…” he looked up and into my eyes.

“No, I want this. I really do!” He smiled at me. I smiled back. “Hey, how about we get out of here?” He gestured towards the door and I nodded. He threw some money on the table. I got my purse out but he shook his head. “I got this…” He said.

“No, I want to put something in or I’ll feel bad!” I whinged.

“It’s a plate of food in a greasy café, I really don’t mind!” he laughed. I reluctantly put my purse back into my bag and stood up, immediately being greeted by an open hand. I grabbed his hand and we intertwined our fingers. “Do you live alone?” He asked randomly as we walked out of the shop.

“Err, yes. Why?” I raised an eyebrow. Why on earth would he want to know that?

“Well… I-I-I wondered if you wanted to, you know, go somewhere warm? Watch a film?” He shrugged. I could see the angst written all over his face. Did he think I was going to say no? I mean it could be taken the wrong way; I could think he was trying to get me home to get me into bed but I don’t think he’s that kind of person.  He seems truthful, kind, gentle. My kind of man. The more time I spent in my thoughts, the more I realised I was already falling for him. I’d known him like two days but I felt I knew him for years. The way we could speak so freely, without judgment, without hesitation, without it being awkward. The thought of not seeing him for weeks was already making me nervous about today ending. What if after today he hated me? What if he didn’t want to see me anymore?

“Umm, yeah that sounds good!” I grinned and the sad face he had soon grew into a grin wide enough to mirror mine as we began to walk towards his car, but he stopped dead.

“I’ll bring the car round. No point in you walking all the way!” He laughed and let go of my hand, kissing me on the forehead before running off, out of sight. What the hell was that all about? I stood worriedly outside the café wondering if this was his way of ditching me, just running off and never coming back. I folded my arms in to try and preserve what body heat I could as the cold wind blew past and practically froze me. I watched every car as it drove past me. I didn’t even know what car he had! He could have driven past me and I wouldn’t even know! So many thoughts passed through my head. Is there something wrong with me? A black car finally pulled up in front of me and I sighed with relief for what seemed like forever. The window went down and I walked up to it.

“You getting in or…?” Eddie laughed. I rolled my eyes and opened the door, entering the car and getting hit with a stuffy heat. I frowned a little and Eddie laughed. “Sorry, I turned the heating on really high cos it was freezing in here. I’ll turn it down.” He said, adjusting the heating.  

“A nice car you have!” I say admiring the leather seating, the wooden interior, the shiny paintwork and the gleaming windows. “You either take very good care of cars or this is new…” He quickly looked over to me before looking back to the road as we drove off.

“Yes, it’s new, but I do take good care of my car. Your car has to reflect you. If your car is dirty, you are dirty. It takes time, but everyone has time.” I rolled my eyes.

“Oh God, you’re not one of those car guys… Please say no… Just cos your car looks nice doesn’t mean you’re a nice guy!” I protested.

“Am I though?” He smirked as he drove.

“Are you what?”

“A nice guy?” I paused, he was going to catch me out…

“Yes.” I said, rolling my eyes, knowing he was going to prove me wrong.

“And I have a nice car? You’ve already admitted that. So that proves me right.” He smirks wider, eyeing me up and down.

“Well you’re an exception to the rule…” I laughed. “Trust me, I know enough people with good cars and not so good… Well I won’t go there…” He looked over, shocked and I laughed.

“I see there’s more to you than I thought!” He said flirtily.

“I’m sure there’s a lot I don’t know about you too!” I laughed. He looked away from me as he took a deep breath in. Was there something huge I didn’t know?