NOT OUR AGE

Chapter 11: Our Christmas Eve

Lauren's POV

Standing in front of Camila's apartment door, I rang the bell. She showed up in less than a minute, wearing a simple navy blue dress and knee-high boots. She wore her hair down. I was glad she did not wear too much makeup. Usually, she wore no makeup when she came to my place for work. She looked so sweet and natural with her simple makeup, and I loved the soft pink lipstick on her lips. I was so enjoying her look that I almost forgot to greet her.

"Hi!" I finally greeted her. I handed her the single red rose. "It's for you."

She smiled, looking at the rose. "Thank you!"

"Are you ready?" I asked.

"Yes, let me get my coat." She went inside and came out after wearing her black coat and blue scarf.

"Shall we?" I asked once she locked the door.

"Yea..." She gently said.

"Wait!" I adjust her scarf. "It's cold outside." She blushed. I offered her my arm to take before we left her place.

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I had reserved a table at one of the rooftop restaurants in the city center. It was one of my favorite places. Fortunately, they still have a table for me. I was their regular customer, so I had a better chance to get a table, especially during Christmas Eve. We arrived at the restaurant a quarter before seven. We settled at our VIP room table which was overlooking the city skyline. I asked them to help me set a romantic Christmas dinner for my first date with Camila.

We enjoyed our dinner talking about family, food, and random things. We didn't talk about what we were doing, which was dating. She seemed to enjoy the dinner and our light conversation. So, I didn't want to ruin the moment. We did not have a deep discussion, especially about our relationship, but I made sure she noticed my loving gestures during the dinner. I looked at her like she was my whole world. I caressed her hand when we had a pause during our conversation. I made sure she enjoyed the food and had what she wanted.

After spending one and a half hours at the restaurant, we left for the Christmas market which was only a ten-minute walk from the restaurant. Camila said she would love to go there on Christmas Eve. It was something she usually did when she spent her Christmas Eve with Dinah. I hardly visited the Christmas market, but I did not mind if Camila enjoyed it. We walked to the Christmas market and left my car at the restaurant. Walking to the Christmas market, I held Camila's hand. I made sure her hand did not leave mine during those ten minutes.

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"Feeling better?" I asked her when we were sipping our mulled wine. She got cold easily.

"Yeah..." she looked so adorable, holding the glass, sipping the wine, and staring at me with those warm brown eyes. It made me want to keep her close and squeeze her with all the warmth I could provide her.

I put my arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. We enjoyed Christmas Eve at the Christmas market, sipping our wine, looking at the beautifully decorated big Christmas tree, and listening to Christmas music. We walked around the Christmas market to see what they sold. Camila bought a few little, cute things. We took a picture before we left the Christmas market. We did not spend too long at the Christmas market. We left before ten. It started snowing when we were on the way to get the car at the restaurant.

The festive lighting of the Christmas decorations around the city and the light snow that started falling made the citylook even more romantic than the usual evening. My heart was smiling, walking along this street which I hardly did. My heart was warm this winter, holding the hand of this girl who had occupied my mind since this summer. I wanted to make this very moment something sweet to remember this Christmas. I stopped on the midway and pulled her into my arms. Holding her closer by her waist, caressing her blushing face, and staring into her warm brown eyes. I adjusted her winter hat before I leaned closer and gently kissed her.