follow through

chapter 21

james

is it inappropriate to kiss someone on the first non official date?

i mean technically this isn't a date. i don't think.

it's also technically not our first date either.

i don't know if what this is, is old friends catching up or something more.

i hope it's something more.

maybe i should ask her.

is it too soon though?

maybe for now it's enough to sit here and admire her. how her eyes twinkle when she talks about things she's passionate about.

how her hair falls over her shoulders and her face when she laughs.

how her lips look so full.

great now i'm staring at her lips.

all i can think about is how much i want to kiss them.

i finally look back to her eyes and notice how her cheeks have gone pink.

i've made her blush 3 times tonight.

i consider that a job well done.

i can't believe it but seeing her tonight made me realize that i'm still very much in love with her.

this time it's real though. because i know it and i won't mess it up.

this time i will fight for her. this time i won't lose her.

this is my last chance.

"betty?" i ask

"yeah?" she questions

"what are your thoughts on tonight? like, where do you see this going? because i don't want to ruin this by chasing after something i shouldn't be chasing after." i explain

i hate that i don't know what she is thinking as i say this.

"james i'm gonna be honest here. i don't know how this will turn out. i know what i'm hoping for. but i know i have to trust you. and that might take a minute." she responds

i can work with that.

"i will do everything to earn your trust betty." i respond

"good. cause i'm hoping this can go somewhere." she responds

i can't believe she admitted that so easily.

i build up the courage to ask this next question.

"can i start by taking you out on a date?" i ask

"i would love that." she smiles at me

we continue talking about all sorts of things.

especially her family. she said she misses her family but she happy to be closer to home than before.

we're still about 2 hours away from our town but we're back in state.

she tells me about college and her experience. i tell her the same things.

everything just flows so easily. there's no awkward silence or awkward conversation.

it's all so easy. and right.

the tension though. that would be hard to miss.

maybe it's just me but i can't stop staring at her. thinking about her lips on mine.

i think she notices too though.

she keeps catching me staring at her lips. each time she blushes.

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