The One After [SHAWN MENDES]

Chapter 74

When Shawn arrived to pick me up for a Saturday day-date, I was still in my pajamas.

"Wow," he said with a grin as he looked me over. "I love the look but given where we're going, it's probably not appropriate."

"Maybe if you'd told me what we are doing today I'd know what to wear."

He reached out and touched the lacy hem of my top. "I'm tempted to say 'fuck it' to our plans and stay here just so I can look at you in this sexy get-up all day."

I had on a matching set of satin PJs that included tap pants and camisole. I didn't usually sleep in something so cute, but my maternal grandma sent it to me during my recovery. She said that I needed to convalesce in style, which was incredibly sweet of her.

"Are you gonna give me a clue about today?" I queried.

"Nope, but wear something you can walk around in both indoors and outdoors but not workout clothes. Does that make sense?"

I let out a very dramatic sigh. "I guess I can work with that. Help yourself to some coffee while I get ready."

I went to my bedroom and shut the door. Shawn had on faded jeans, Converse, and a short-sleeved button down, so obviously I didn't need to get too dressed up. It was a date, however, so I wanted to look as good as possible. Since he was clearly into my jammies, I picked out a flowy pair of floral shorts and a cropped shirred tube top. If we'd be walking, I needed something comfy, so I slipped on a pair of white vans. I'd already done my hair and makeup, but I added a little lipgloss after using the bathroom.

When I joined Shawn, I found him sprawled out on the floor with Inky on his chest. He held the kitty as he sat up and then gently placed her on the floor. "That outfit makes me want to cancel our plans, too," he told me before standing.

I walked over to him and stood on my tiptoes to give him a kiss. "You're all talk."

"Normally I'm a man of action, but I'm trying to not rush things."

"I know and I respect that. Shall we go?"

"Can we maybe sit here for a bit? Your lips look so kissable and you're leaving for Vegas and then I'm going back on tour. I want to spend a few minutes alone." He sounded a little whiny, but it was pretty adorable. I led him to the couch and we both sat down. Instead of kissing me, he reached up and pushed my hair aside, revealing my scar. He ran a finger over it, his eyes full of concern. "Does it hurt?"

"No, but I want my hair to grow in so that I'm not reminded of it every single day."

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You have nothing to apologize for!"

"Maybe, but I hate that you were hurt so badly." Then he leaned closer and lightly kissed the area.

I turned my head to face him and his mouth moved to mine. It wasn't that it bothered me that he was touching my scar, but I was eager to feel his lips on my own. I could no longer remember what kissing dream-Shawn had been like, but I knew that kissing him now was better. That made sense, of course. Real kisses had to be more satisfying than imagined ones.

"We should probably go," he said after pulling away.

I stood up. "I'm excited to see what's in store for me!"

After a short car ride, Shawn pulled into a parking lot off Sherbourne Street. "Do you know where we're going now?" he asked.

"There's a park near here, right?"

"Allan Gardens. It's one of my favorite spots in Toronto. I took Tarzan here a couple times because it's got a great dog park."

Hand in hand we strolled along the paths. Some of the parkland was made up of grass and trees, but there were also beautiful botanical gardens. Many of the flowers were past their prime since it was late summer, but some were majestically beautiful, especially the roses.