Since We're Alone |NH|

Chapter 26

We both got into our cars and he followed me back to my apartment.  As I drove, I let out a nervous breath.  I hadn't allowed any guy to my place in quite some time.  "He's nice, Ophelia.  He doesn't give off any creeper vibes.  You're perfectly safe with him."

We got there and parked.  Waiting on him to get out of his car, I led the way to my door.  Unlocking the door, I walked in, flicked on the lights and kicked off my shoes.

"Home sweet home," I said, letting him enter.

He looked around.  "It's cute," he said.

"Thanks." There was a pause.  "Do you want anything to drink?  I'd offer something to eat but I have no food."

He laughed a little nervous laugh.  "Hungry?  We could get something?"

"I'm starving.  So, yes, let me change and we'll go."

"Okay."

"Feel free to take a seat.  Um, the remote to the TV is there, although it should just take me a minute to change."

"Okay," he said, sticking his hands in his pants pockets.  He looked nervous.  It made him even cuter than I already thought he was.

"Okay.  Be right back."

I walked off and went into my bedroom, locking the door behind me.  Walking into the adjoining bathroom, I locked the bathroom door, too, before quickly stripping down and changing into what I had originally planned to wear.  Luckily, jeans and a nice top work for various occasions.

I reapplied deodorant, knowing I smelled like food and alcohol.  Spraying a bit of perfume onto me and into my hair, I felt sufficiently better about things.

Running a comb through my hair, I took a look at myself in my bathroom mirror.  The makeup I had applied earlier, on the chance we had left from the bar, still looked pretty good.  "Thank god for setting spray," I said as I shut off the bathroom lights and went back into my room to put my boots on.

Taking a deep breath, I unlocked my bedroom door and walked back out to the living room.  Niall was still standing there, although he had moved and was looking at some of the pictures I had on my wall.

"That was taken back home."

He turned around.  "I was wondering.  I can't tell which one is you, though."

I walked up to stand beside him and pointed myself out to him.  "It gets just a tad bit cold in Wisconsin in the winter.  We tend to wear multiple layers of clothing when outside."

"I can imagine.  Although, I think Ireland is farther North."

"Probably."

"You look lovely," he said, looking at me.

"Oh, uh, thanks.  You look nice.  I have no idea if I already told you that tonight."

"You didn't.  So, thanks."  He smiled at me.  "You ready?"

"Yes.  Let's go."

I grabbed my bag and my keys and we walked out.  Locking up, I followed him to his car where he opened my door for me.  I feel like every time he did something gentlemanly or nice, it always struck me as odd.  I liked it, though.  Maybe etiquette wasn't dead after all.

He closed the door after I had sat down and walked over to his side and got in.  "Where to, m'lady?" He asked in a super posh accent.  I gave him a look.  "What?"

I shook my head.  "Nothing.  Just keep getting taken aback by politeness."

"Well, that's a fucking tragedy, Ophelia."  He smiled broadly at me before laughing lightly.  "Where do you want to go?"