"Wow," Micheal sighed, "You look incredible".
"Thank you," Ashleigh blushed. "You also look um really nice."
They walked together down to the restaurant, chatting casually and comfortably. Ashleigh silently thanked Erin for the advice. Only she knew that she was wearing the sexiest little black lace matching set that she owned. She imagined what Michael's face would look like if she showed him what she was wearing. She imagined him ripping it off her.
The pressed her thighs tightly together as she walked, partially to silence the burning desire screaming out from within her, and partially to increase the pressure forming between her legs.
Ashleigh noticed as the back of her hand brushed against the back of his. She wished that he would reach out and take her hand. She thought about how perfect they would look walking hand in hand down the road. People might mistake them for a couple, young love with not a care in the world. Her stomach felt all warm and fuzzy.
They entered the restaurant and sat across from each other.
"You're not allowed to judge me," Ashleigh laughed.
"I promise," Micheal held up his hands in surrender.
"Okay," Ashleigh took a deep breath, "my craziest childhood crush was probably Mufasa" she buried her face in her hands.
"The lion!" He exclaimed.
"Don't judge me," she laughed, only partially wishing the ground would open up and swallow her whole.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he laughed, tears prickling at his eyes.
"Okay," she tried to steady herself with a big breath, "who was your craziest childhood crush?"
"Well now I don't want to say," he laughed, "compared to you I sound positively vanilla.
Ashleigh silently cussed herself out. Why could she not have just said something normal like Zuko or some random Disney prince? Why did she feel the need to outdo whatever he was going to say?
"It's probably really boring, but Shego from Kim Possible," he said with a shrug.
"No way!" Ashleigh exclaimed.
"What?" He asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
"For Halloween last year I did Kim and Shego with my best friend!" Ashleigh said excitedly.
"No way!" He responded leaning in.
"I think I might have pictures if you want to see?" She said already reaching for her phone.
"Sure," he said.
"So this is my best friend in the whole wide world," Ashleigh said as she showed Michael the picture of her and Erin.
"Oh nice," Michael said looking at both girls, "although I think you should have been Shego," he winked.
"Well it's just that Erin already has the long dark hair, and also just kind of the right personality."
"Are you guys close?" He asked.
"Super close," Ashleigh smiled. "Like we've been bestfriends pretty much since we could walk. I swear that girl is my soulmate."
"That's cool," he said.
"You'd love her," she said, "she's just absolutely fantastic. She's so funny and nice, but also like quite mysterious. I was always so jealous of her."
"Why?" He asked.
"Well I mean just look at her!" She exclaimed, "and on top of that she's just so fucking cool."
"Well you're cool," he said, "and I actually think you're prettier than her."
"Really?" She asked. No one had ever said that about her before.
"Do you wanna go get some ice cream?" He asked after they'd finished with dinner and paid the bill.
"Really?" She asked with excitement.
"There's this ice cream stand just around the corner that stays open late on Saturdays," he said.
"No way!" She said with excitement, "that sounds amazing!"
Cold air slammed into Ashleigh the moment they stepped out of the restaurant. She second guessed the wisdom in going out for ice cream in the cold, but she didn't want to say anything for fear of the date ending early. Despite the cold, she would eat a thousand ice creams if it meant that the date would go on forever.
"Are you cold?" Micheal asked looking down at her.
Ashleigh looked down to see that her arms were covered in goosebumps. She rubbed them in an attempt to make them disappear, "I'll be alright."
"Here," he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
Michael's jacket felt so warm against her freezing skin. "Thank you," she said as she inhaled deeply. The jacket smelled spicy and comforting, like a hot meal after a long day. She pushed her hands through the sleeves. They were far too long, and only the tips of her fingers poked out.
This was definitely a date.
She had been worried that she might be mistaking his friendliness as romantic interest, but the way his fingers had lingered on her shoulders after giving her his jacket felt a lot like something more than friendliness. A jolt of excitement shot through her.
"Thanks," she said looking up at him.
Her eyes searched his face. His eyes were kind and gentle, his brow bone strong and proud, and his lips. Oh his lips…She wanted him to kiss her. She wanted it more than anything.
Then he did.
His lips were warm and soft against hers. He reached up and cupped her face in his hands, and she felt herself melt away into him.
