Something Better

Who Let You Go?

Brandon felt a little nervous as he knocked on Martha's hotel room door. He was glad that they were able to laugh and joke like they had before, before it had become intense and awkward. Brandon caught the smell of Martha's perfume as she opened her hotel room door.

"Hi!" Martha smiled as she held the door open for Brandon to walk in. Brandon had to resist audibly inhaling
as he past her.

"Hey," He said as casually as he could, "I see you have read your 'questions and answers text' carefully!" Brandon laughed bringing his gaze up to meet hers. He felt the butterflies begin to flutter like they always did when he let himself look into her lovely green eyes.

"Yes, 'First night we will have a working dinner that will require casual clothes, e.g. Jeans and a t shirt.' I think I know it off by heart!" Martha laughed,
"Is this ok?" She said pointing to her outfit of black skinny jeans and a black faded Jimi Hendrix t shirt.

"Yes, you'll do," Brandon said with a wry smile, thinking about how cute she looked, with her high pony tail and red converse high tops.

"So, where are we having our 'working dinner'?" Martha asked as she gathered her sketchbook and bag.

"Well, it's in the hotel, but not in the restaurant," Brandon said with hesitant voice, distracted by watching Martha bend over to pick up her bag.

"I hope it's not going to be anything that wasn't clearly stated on your text." Martha giggled.

"I'm sure you'll be able to handle it," Brandon giggled back, "Are you ready?"

"Yes, I think so," Martha said slowly, starting to feel a little worried.

"Don't worry," Brandon laughed as he opened the room door and held it open for Martha.

Brandon stepped across the hall and opened his own hotel room door. He stepped aside and made a little bow, "Dinner is served," He smiled.

"In your room?" Martha said a little surprised, her cheeks beginning to colour.

Brandon raised his eyebrows, he couldn't believe how much he wanted to scoop her up, carry her into his room, tell her how he really felt about her and see where the night took them.

"Is that ok?" Brandon said, suddenly worried, "I thought we could work and eat by ourselves." Brandon panicked as he heard what he was saying and how it sounded.

"It's fine," Martha said with a smile as she walked into Brandon's hotel room.

Brandon followed her and let the door swing closed behind him. He knew he was going to have to reign in how he was feeling in order for the night to go as it should. It was still too soon for romance and he knew he had already hurt her badly at Christmastime and he didn't want to risk losing her altogether.

They ordered food to the room and they chatted about London and the view from Brandon's hotel suite. As they ate Martha discussed with Brandon some of the ideas she had been working on for his outfit design.

"I love the idea of a statement jacket," Martha said as she ate of forkful of spaghetti in her mouth and smiled with full cheeks.

Brandon watched her and felt so much affection for this shy girl, who was slowly becoming more comfortable with him and allowing him to see more of who she was.

"Yes, you know how I love a statement jacket!" Brandon smiled.

"Exactly, so I thought the rest of the outfit could just be black. Black boots, black trousers and maybe a black shirt or maybe a white shirt, but the jacket would say it all." Martha looked up as she continued to eat.