Get Ready For It - A Gary Barlow FF

Chapter 8

I stare in shock as she sits back down as if nothing happened. I immediately pull myself away from my trance. Simply because if I don't, I'd be classed as if I was staring at her!

''Erm...is everything OK, Sophie?'' I ask her nervously.

She simply smiles at me and slowly but barely nods her head at me. I reach over and rest my hand on top on top of hers but she flinches and quickly removes her hand from mine which instantly makes me slightly recoil myself in shock.

'Have I done something wrong? This is quite strange' I think to myself as she, just like before, begins to play with her napkin in her fingers.

I find this a little bit much to handle and I have to take a minute and lean back in my chair and take a heavy sip of my wine along with a deep breath.

''Sophie, please talk to me. If I've upset you, I really did not intend to do so as I was just asking because I care about you. You must know that I care about you...'' I trail off as I begin to get a little nervous as to why she's being so quiet after being so full of chat earlier on.

All she does is shuffle nervously in her seat before exhaling loudly. She finally looks up at me and I see that her eyes are glazed over with a wet, watery layer. It instantly kills me. I can't stand seeing her like this, even though I've only known her for half a day, but I just feel trapped when I'm with her, but in a good way though. I'm entranced by her and this is a feeling that I have not experienced for a long time now. So I can guarantee that if she's nervous and scared, I can almost match it.

''Soph..'' I begin softly before she cuts me off.

''Gary, just..just wait a sec, OK?!'' she says a little loudly and sternly which catches me off guard and I recoil in response to it.

''Look, Gary. I'm sorry for what happened earlier. I honestly think that it was just a freak moment that threw me a little bit'' I nod very slowly as I try to understand where she is coming from.

I mean, I can almost understand that she may feel a little bit nervous going out with me because I'm famous and I was a judge on X-Factor for 3 seasons and all that stuff, but I'm just me. Just Gary Barlow. Gary Barlow who happens to be in a band called Take That, occasionally an album will be released and thanks to our ever supporting fans will more than likely go to #1 and also go on sell-out tours that have played some of the biggest concert venues in the world. But at the end of the day, as said before, I'm just Gary, and I just wish she could understand that about me because I haven't felt this way about a woman in a long time. 

''It's just that I haven't been out on a date in a while and my last boyfriend broke my heart and I am just terrified of being hurt again because of how much he broke me the last time''

I nod again as I let her continue with her story. I decide to top up our glasses once again before our meal gets here.

''Then I hadn't seen him in months, until this morning and...and..''

I see her begin to tremble and shake a little as she recalls what happened earlier today. I reach over and take her hands in mine and thankfully, she doesn't pull them away this time.

''Hey, hey. You don't have to tell me this right now if you don't feel up for it, Sophie. I mean, we only just met and this is a big part of your life, you know?''

I say to her softly as I slide her glass of wine closer to her and encourage to take a sip. Calm the nerves, take a breath. 

An ever so awkward silence falls over our table for a matter of moments. I continue to hold her hands in mine as she has not signaled that she wants to pull away or anything like that, and I must admit it's nice. I feel a sudden spike in the atmosphere as the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Woah! Never have I experienced that before and although that it only lasted a matter of seconds, it felt amazing and something that I would not mind experiencing again. I feel her hands twitch ever so slightly in mine which brings me back to reality. Looking up at her, her eyes immediately capture mine. Wow, how have I never noticed just how blue they were? I mean it's like looking into one of the pictures of the sea in the Caribbean that you'd only see in travel brochures and that because they've been filtered and enhanced to the absolute hilt! But seriously, I could feel myself getting lost in her eyes and it's only when she speaks my name that I tear my eyes away from hers, clear my throat and look up at her once more. 

''Gary?! Did you hear me just now? Away with the fairies, eh?'' she giggles at me while I blush a slight crimson red in embarrassment.

''Erm, sorry love. I was in a trance there..'' I mumble at her as I try and redeem myself. Sitting up straight and leaning slightly forwards, I give her my utmost attention.

''You were saying?'' I smile at her, squeezing her hands slightly to show her to carry on and that this time I am all ears.

''Nah, it's alright Gary. We've shared enough for a first date I think..'' my face falls slightly at her comment.

I knew I fucked it, I knew it!

'Stupid dickhead Barlow' I roar at myself as I look momentarily to the floor.

Not letting her see the obvious hurt inside, I throw on a smile and nod the head. 

'' Besides, if we share everything tonight, what will we have to talk about on our next date, or maybe even dates?'' she winks at me.

'What?!'

''You..you mean...you'll go out with..with me again, Sophie?'' I stammer out to her which is received with a wide, white pearly smile and a soft chuckle that melts me instantly.

''Oh gosh Barlow, you are every bit adorable in real life as you are perceived in the media. Of course, I'll go out with you again, but let's take this slow, OK? I like you, I do and I'd like to see where this goes. It could be fun..'' she grins at me widely.

A sigh of absolute relief passes through my lips that I didn't even know I was holding in.

''Oh Christ, I thought I messed it up badly because I really care about you, Sophie. We can, of course, take it slow. I can't promise that I will mend your heart completely although I'll try my best, but I can assure you that I'll never break it'' and with that, I lean across the table and peck her lightly on the cheek. 

''You up for a drink in Dukemont down the road?'' I ask her as we pick ourselves up from the table and I place some money down for the meal.

''I would love too, Gary'' she smiles at me as she links her arm with mine as I wave over to Jacob, thanking him for a great meal before we head out the door and head off to the pub down the road.

Fuck it. I'll collect the car tomorrow.