At exactly 8 o'clock, there was a knock on the door. I smoothened my lace blue dress, that reached just above my knee, and took one last look at myself in the mirror. My hair was beautifully curled and toppled over my shoulders in gentle waves, thanks to Jazz, as I apparently lacked the ability to use a curling iron. The blue in the dress highlighted my eyes, at least that was what Jazz said when she did my makeup. Thank God for this girl!
"Awww, look at my little girl going on a date. Oh, they just grow up so fast," she said when she was finished, wiping a fake tear from her eye.
"Are you done mother? Can I go lose my virginity now?" I deadpanned.
"Don't sass me, young lady! Or else you will be grounded. And no sex for you till you're 30," she said so seriously I almost couldn't tell if she was joking, until she laughed at my expression.
Grabbing my purse, I opened the door and the first thing that hit me was his scent. He smelt fresh and clean of body wash, mixed with something musky and masculine. It was absolutely divine.
"Wow, Cassie. You look amazing," he leaned closer and pecked a kiss on my cheek.
I stood at the entrance and deeply inhaled, closing my eyes to appreciate his scent.
"Did you just sniff me?" he smirked.
"No, of course not," I stammered, wracking my brain for an excuse, "deep breathing helps alleviate pain and it pains me greatly to go on a date with you." I smiled brightly at my cleverness. Thank you pop-up ads and random googling!
"Oh yes, great pain indeed, that's why you curled your hair and dressed up so nicely for me," he winked and leaned against the door frame.
"It was a pain! Do you have any idea how long I had to sit still for Jazz to fix my bird nest of a head?" I locked up the apartment and fell in step next to Derek. If there was one thing this boy could do perfectly, it was dress to impress. He had great style and was always immaculately dressed.
Tonight he had on snug black jeans and a royal blue and white checkered shirt. How cute, we were matching. Internal gag.
He extended the crook of his elbow and I watched him quizzically with an eyebrow raised. "Oh for heaven's sake Cassie, we're on a date, can you please be nice today?"
"Aren't I always nice to you?" I batted my luscious mascara-clad lashes at him and pinched his cheek lightly before slipping my arm through his.
"Depends on your definition of nice," he teased.
We rounded the corner at the end of the corridor and I wondered why we passed the stairs. Suddenly, we were standing outside his apartment.
"Welcome to Casa del Parker," he introduced, with a grand gesture at the door.
"I thought we were going to dinner?" I asked, confused.
"We are. But I'm making it," he said with a huge smile and opened the door.
When he flicked on the lights, I was momentarily dazed. My mouth dropped open a little and I felt a slight flutter in my chest. At the very centre of the room, there was a dainty little table for two, with a candle and blossoming lillies as the centerpiece. Lights were strung from corner to corner and hung above us like twinkling stars. The entire room looked like it was ripped out of a fairytale book.
The smell of molten cheese and Italian seasoning wafted its way up my nose, causing my mouth to water, almost instantly.
I didn't even realise Derek was standing in the corner, watching me in fascination. "Wow, it's gorgeous, Derek," I said, in utter amazement.
YOU ARE READING
Virgin Tales
Romansa"Ugh I give up! Why can't you come?" I screamed in frustration at the reflection of Cherry in the mirror. She wasn't fabulous, and neither did she fulfill her purpose. Some might say she was average, but I thought she was way below that standard. I...
