Hooked on love

Chapter 13

Before you read this chapter I thought I'd mention that this chapter is going to be quite long. It's taken me 5 bloody days figuring out how to plan this chapter, so I've made it into two chapters. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 13

For my first proper date I didn’t think I’d end up with a huge lump on my forehead. I opened the door too eagerly, stepped my forward at the same time which lead to the door hitting with my foot and as it stopped it colliding with my head. If Jason left there and then I wouldn’t have blamed him.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” He reaches over and touched the lump, please stop. I wince, “yeah I’m fine! Please stop reminding me of my humiliating moment.” He puts his hand back on the stirring wheel. “Well at least I know you’ll be fine, no memory loss and I see you’re still feisty, Ha, ha!” I fold my arms, he isn’t funny, well maybe he is.
“Oh come on, I’m only joking Ava, have I upset you?
“No, I’m angry at myself. I wanted to impress you and also look pretty for once and my stupid feet got in the way and ruin it!”
“And your head…” I turn to face him, “Oh! You’re so not funny!” I slap him arm.
“I am, look at you, you’re forcing back a smile.”
“Shut up.” I look out the window to hide my smile, I won’t admit he’s funny, I can tell he’ll never drop it.
“It’s not just the once too.” He’s looking ahead out of the window.
“What isn’t?” I crease my eyebrows, he leans into me and straightens it with his finger.
“You said you wanted to look pretty for once, to me you always look pretty – you had no make-up on when you bumped into me, I thought you looked great, then at the club when you put some on I thought you looked amazing, especially with your hair, and today you exceeded my expectations because you look bloody beautiful. You make an effort for me and that’s more than enough.” I’m frozen in place with my mouth wide open. He thinks that much of me? What should I say back? My mind tries to process everything he’s said and my cheeks flare crimson red.
“Ava, breath!” I snap out of it and take a breath.
“I…Err…Thanks you…The sentence barely leaves my lips, hearing something so detailed and amazing for the first time is mind boggling. “So what I’m wearing isn’t too much?” I look at my dress.
“That? Oh, no. You look incredible Ava, it wouldn’t matter if we went bowling, I’d be proud enough to have you on my arm.” As soon as he’s said that sentence to me my worries have been wavered and the lump on my forehead isn’t relevant to me anymore.
“Thank you,” I look at him and give him my biggest smile, he takes in a breath and looks ahead again.
“It’s my pleasure, I enjoy embarrassing you in a good way, it means I have an effect on you. It makes me want to pick you up, kiss you and spin you around.” Whaaat? I imagine him doing it to me and my heart is beating hard against my chest, I want him to do it. I bring myself back to reality.
“Are you going to stop anytime soon?” I lean my head forward so my hair covers my face.
“Nope, looks like you’re going to have to get used to it,” and put my hair behind my ear closest to him. I don’t think my heart can take anymore compliments, I change the subject.
“Where are you taking me anyway? It’s been bugging me all day.” He laughs, “You’ll see shortly.”

He parks at the back of a small building, my immediate thought was he’s going to kidnap me, until I see a moving crowd at the end of an alley way. Where are we? Jason gets out of the car and turns round to me, “Stay there.” Here? Why? I feel anxious, then I see him walking towards the pay and display machine, Of course he’s paying to park, I’m being silly now. On his way back he comes over to my side of the car, opens the door and holds his hand out indicating for me to do the same. I didn’t think people still did this but it sure is nice, I lightly place my hand into his and he leads me out of the car. He’s making me feel so many things it feels surreal.

He walks to the front of the building holding my hand and I finally see where we are.
La Tasca? “You’ve taken me to a Spanish restaurant?” I couldn’t hide the surprise in my voice, he looks at me as worry crosses his face.
“Yeah, why not?” I don’t want him to worry, “umm, it’s just I’ve never been to one before, I don’t want to waste to food and look picky.” My chest starts to tighten at the thought of what the waiter would say or think if I left my plate full, it will be fine, it will be fine.
“That’s that you’re worrying about? It’s a good job I’m paying then! Just try it, I’m sure you’ll like it.” He grips my hand and tugs at it playfully. “If I don’t like it I will pay for my half, end of.” I start to walk pulling him along so he can’t reply, although he didn’t need too, his smug face said it all.

Once we step inside a waiter is already standing to greet us. “Do you have a reservation or is it a table for two?”
“Yea, we have a reservation under the name ‘Morris’,” Morris huh?
“Is that your surname?” I don’t know why that’s so surprising to me. He raises his eyebrow at me, “yeah…don’t we all have them?” I roll my eyes.
“Are you rolling your eyes at me?
“Maybe.”
“Alright Mrs Vague, what’s yours?”
“It’s Wood.” I can’t tell him I was thinking about what it’d be like to be Ava Morris, he’ll run for the hills.
“Nice, very original,” he sticks his tongue out at me.
“Carry on and I’ll bite it,” I shove him with my shoulder. He looks at me with surprise in his eyes as if I’ve just said something taboo.
“What?” My eyes widen as I recall what I just said, did I just?
“Yeah, never thought I’d hear something like that slip out of your mouth!”
“You’ll be surprised what I can slip in,” I immediately cover my mouth with my hand. What’s wrong with me?! I normally banter with Nick so it was out of habit.
“Hahaha! That’s impressive, was that intentional or the slip of the tongue? Winking at me.
“It was accidental! I banter with Nick a lot so I just let it go out of habit, sorry.” I feel a little bit stupid, I bet he thinks I’m one of those girls.
“Don’t apologise! Didn’t you hear me laugh? Don’t be ashamed, it’s hard to find a girl with a sense of humour like yours, stay that way!”
“Really? I haven’t given you a bad impression of me have I?”
“Course not, you’re funny.”
“Umm, thank you.” He tightens his grip and smiles at me. The waiter turns up after what feels like eternity, “your table is ready, follow me.”