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Adrien and I hang up, and I head into my bedroom to flip through my closet once again. I know she likes me in that blue suit, but do I need to wear something so formal for our date? I grab a light blue button-up shirt and a pair of dark wash jeans.
I’ve already called the restaurant and made a reservation for this evening. I still have an hour before I need to leave to pick her up. I wish that it was time to leave already. I’m starting to feel anxious and second-guessing everything I’ve done so far.
Is Ciao the right restaurant? I know she likes Italian food, but maybe I should have picked someplace fancier.
Should I dress fancier or more laid back? She mentioned needing to redo her wardrobe, and I don’t want to make her feel underdressed.
Ugh, I hate this. I’m starting to remember why I never bothered with dating in high school or college. Well, it’s more than that. I was never interested in anyone before Pia.
I hop in the shower, trying to kill some time and clear my head. By the time I step out and finish getting dressed, I’m feeling more confident about tonight. It’s like Adrien said, she already said yes so that has to be a good sign. She must be interested in me, too, then, right?
I plug her address into the GPS and battle traffic across town to her apartment building. It’s a rundown-looking place in a shady part of town.
I wonder if I could convince her to move in with me or at least into my apartment building. Maybe I could tell her that an apartment came with the job. That way, she’ll be safe and closer to me. Would she buy it, though?
I circle the building twice, trying to find somewhere to park. Eventually, I find an open spot, and I park, hurrying across the street and into her building. She lives on the fourth floor, and the elevator has a sign that says broken. It looks like it’s been broken for quite some time, and I make a mental note to get her moved out of this place as soon as possible.
I find her apartment and knock on the door. My heart is racing and my palms grow sweaty as I wait for her to open the door. Luckily for me, it doesn’t take her long.
The door swings open, and my heart lodges in my throat as I take her in. She’s always beautiful, but right now, she looks almost ethereal, like an angel.
Her black hair is pulled back and so shiny under the harsh lights in the hallway. She’s wearing a tight dark blue dress that only accentuates her purple eyes and shapely figure. All of her curves are on display, and I have the strongest urge to shove her back into her apartment where no one else can see her. I don’t want anyone ogling my Pia except for me.
“You…look…wow,” I end in a whisper.
“Thanks,” she says, her cheeks heating with a blush.
She looks so innocent and sweet with her cheeks that color, and I can’t help but reach for her and pull her closer to me.
“Ready to go?” I ask her, and she nods, her breath coming out faster as our bodies press together slightly.
Good. It’s nice to see that I seem to have the same effect on her as she does on me.
I take her hand in mine as we start to make our way down the stairs. We head over to my car, and I open her door for her.
“How does Italian sound?” I ask as I slip behind the wheel.
“Delicious. Always delicious,” she says with a laugh, and I grin as I pull out into traffic.
“I made us a reservation at Ciao. Have you ever been there?” I ask her.
“Are you kidding? No way. I could never afford to go there. I’ve heard that it’s amazing, though.”
“I’ve only been once, but it was good,” I tell her.
We talk restaurants that we like on the drive to Ciao, and I try to remember all of the ones she wants to try or likes so that I can take her out on a date there next.
I pull up to the valet stand and hop out, hurrying over to get her door before the valet can. I hold out my hand to her, and she smiles as she slips her hand in mine, and I pull her out of the car.
She’s looking around with big eyes as we walk inside and up to the hostess stand.
“Hi, reservation for two. Should be under York,” I tell the hostess.
“Of course. Right this way,” she smiles at me, and I turn to Pia, squeezing her hand as we head back to our table.
I had requested a private booth, and I smile as we’re seated at one in the back. The hostess hands us our menus, and I watch Pia’s face as she peruses the options.
“It all looks so good,” she says as she glances up at me.
