A Sensitive Arrangement

Chapter 20

Two days later, I was standing in front of the movie theater, trying very hard not to pace back and forth. Luke had offered to pick me up but I wasn't quite ready for a discussion about the gated estate with tighter security than the Pentagon. So I told him we could just meet here. Olivia dropped me off. Knowing her, she was spying from a safe distance, waiting to catch a glimpse of the mysterious boy that had somehow made me downright giddy.

She had also taken it upon herself to be my personal dresser tonight. Luckily she conceded that a dress might be a bit much for a night at the movies. But she made sure I was wearing my most form fitting jeans and a shirt that was lower cut than I ever would have chosen on my own. I did look good though. Of course I looked good, Olivia's a genius when it comes to this sort of thing.

Glancing around the lobby for the hundredth time, I finally caught sight of him out of the corner of my eye. I recognized that expression. The wide eyes and somewhat slack jaw. It was the same face Julian wore only a week and a half ago, when I came down the stairs before the best and worst night of my life.

No. I refused to think of Julian right now. I had promised myself that tonight was about me and Luke. I wasn't going to let a certain someone ruin it, no matter how perfect that someone might be.

Luke had managed to pick his jaw up. He was walking towards me with a goofy smile on his face that somehow still managed to seem a bit shy even though it was taking up half his face.

"You're not wearing your Paws 'n' Claws t-shirt today." He blurted out once he was standing close enough. I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Some might even call it a giggle. Lord help me, did I really just giggle?

"I wouldn't want the animals to get jealous. I don't wear that fabulous getup for just anyone." I joked, hoping it might put him at ease after his adorably awkward opener.

"You look good. Better than good actually. Like really good." He stuttered.

"I'm impressed by your vast knowledge of English vocabulary." I teased, hoping he would know not to take offense. Maybe I should have thought that one through a bit better.

"Apparently pretty girls have that effect on me. Who knew?" He blushed, and I swear it was the cutest thing I had ever seen. And I play with puppies on a weekly basis, so that's saying something.

"Surely you did." Yeah, this flirting thing was getting easier. Or maybe I was just getting more comfortable around Luke. Actually, it was kind of impossible to feel uncomfortable around him. He was just so genuine.

"I don't think I've ever met a girl as pretty as you." His tone wasn't smooth or arrogant the way someone like Joe or even Jul-- no I wasn't thinking of him tonight. He delivered the compliment hesitantly, as if he wasn't sure if it was the right thing to say. And it just made it seem that much more special.

"You clean up pretty nice yourself. You know, when you're not covered in cat pee." My cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much, but it was the best kind of pain I had ever felt.

"Yeah well, I figured cologne might be a better bet for a date." He laughed, finally easing into my company a little.

"Good choice. You smell good." Apparently it was my turn to make a fool of myself. You smell good? Who even says that?

"So do you." He smiled, possibly sensing my embarrassment. Okay maybe he says it. Maybe it's not weird. Who am I kidding? It was weird, but it doesn't seem to have put him off.

"So should we go get the tickets?" I asked, mostly to stop myself from sniffing him. He did, in fact, smell really good.

"Sure thing. I'll pay by the way. You know, since this is a date." He scratched the back of his neck, visibly nervous again, as we walked to the self service ticket kiosk.