Limitless. ✔

CHAPTER FOUR: she doesn't remember.

"You're positively glowing," Elias, my roommate, observed as I emerged from the bathroom.

"I've got a date with her tonight," I admitted with a smirk, unable to contain my excitement. Thalia had been occupying my thoughts for what felt like an eternity, and tonight might just be the night I make her mine.

"Man, you're smitten," Elias chuckled. "You've got it bad."

"I know," I acknowledged, grabbing my jacket. "And I'm damn nervous too," I confessed with a forced laugh.

My nerves were on edge, my excitement palpable, almost giddy. I found it impossible to remain still as my thoughts raced in every direction imaginable. I could already envision it—holding hands, a delightful tingling sensation coursing through my entire being. 

"Relax, man," Elias teased, waggling his eyebrows suggestively. "So, you've been head over heels for this girl since...?"

"Since forever," I interjected, sinking onto the couch with a contented sigh. "Forever," I repeated, a smile spreading across my face.

"So you've never had a girlfriend before? Not even a one-night stand?" Elias gawked at me, his eyes widening with surprise.

"A man has his needs," I remarked, clicking my tongue thoughtfully, "She won't be my first, but I want her to be my last."

Elias doubled over, erupting into laughter. "And here I was, thinking you were the epitome of the perfect, romantic guy," he chuckled.

I grabbed my car keys from the kitchen counter and slipped on my shoes. "Romantic I am," I quipped, winking at Elias and offering him a salute as I made my way out of our place.

I drove over to Thalia's place and parked in the parking lot. Thalia was already waiting there and started walking towards my car when she spotted me.

With eyes as blue as the sky and hair like spun gold, she exuded confidence with every step, a silent declaration of her beauty. Not a single misstep, even in those towering six-inch heels.

"Hey," she greeted as she slid into the seat.

"Hi, gorgeous." I turned to her, and once again, time seemed to stand still as my gaze fell upon the most stunning girl I had ever seen.

She was the girl who turned my world upside down. 'You're whipped,' Elias told me before I left, and he couldn't have been more right.

"Where are we going?" Thalia's voice broke through my reverie, but I couldn't tear my gaze away from her lips. Her tongue darted out, tracing them, and I found myself lost in thoughts of our tongues dancing together.

"Tayler?" Thalia's hand on my arm snapped me back to reality. I shifted my focus, starting the car and merging onto the highway, her scent enveloping me.

"It's a surprise," I replied, attempting to regain my composure.

"I hate surprises," she muttered, leaning back in her seat, her bottom lip jutting out in a pout as she redirected a strand of her long bangs.

"But I thought you loved surprises," I countered, furrowing my brow in confusion.

Following that, a heavy silence hung in the air, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety, fearing I had said something wrong.

"Did I mention it in the emails?" Thalia's voice carried a hint of irritation, her gaze avoiding mine. Was she upset with me?

"Yeah," I responded cautiously, unsure of where this was leading.

"Right," she let out a single forced laugh, "People change, Tayler. Maybe it's time we start fresh. Forget about the emails and truly get to know each other."