Two Worlds Collide [3]

Part Six

The journey from the stadium to our destination was only around 10 minutes; I'm proud of myself for actually keeping the secret but if the taxi ride was any longer I definitely would have accidentally spilled the beans.

As we arrived, I saw Tate's face light up.

T- What are we doing at the Eiffel Tower?

L- We're having food inside of it...

I could instantly see how happy she was to hear that. And that means step one of the plan has worked. We took the elevator up to the restaurant floor and it was just perfect. The aesthetic was unimaginable. I instantly knew I made a good choice of location.

As the night progressed, we had a few drinks and began talking about things that are a bit more personal and I was really trying to learn more about the real Tate McRae.

L- So tell me about yourself

T- I'm 21, 22 this year. I live with my parents half of the time but I also have my own house like 10 minutes away from home. Home meaning Calgary, Canada. I travel a lot for tours or just in general when I have downtime. I'm close with my family and my favourite colour is pink.

As she was talking about herself, I found myself lost in thought actually listening and taking in each piece of information she was saying.

T- Enough about me, tell me about you.

L- I'm 26, I live alone in London. I love going on holiday and just doing anything fun. My favourite food is a ham sandwich. I've been single for about 7 months. My mum is my best friend apart from the football girls. And that's about all there is to know.

T- What was your last relationship like if you don't mind me asking?

I had been dreading this question. Things with Bella were so hard, and I had to spend a month with her in the summer for the World Cup, and that was even harder and then only a few days ago she was posting another girl on social media invalidating everything we felt for each other. How do I even answer this???

L- Erm, my ex was also a footballer. She was in London for around a year and we were together the whole time. She lived with me and two of the other Arsenal girls so it was naturally a rollercoaster. I can't fault her on one hand because I had an accident and suffered memory loss but she stayed throughout it. But after that point, it all changed and it broke my heart. It took some time to get over it, but I'm happier without her and she is very much in the past.

That was a lot for me, Tate is probably mentally running for the hills...

It's been silent for a couple of minutes and I'm unsure on whether she is digesting the information I have told her, or she is thinking of an excuse to get up and leave.

T- That sounds awful. I'm sorry you went through that. Does she still play for your team?

L- No when we broke up she moved to a team in LA for 2 years. It was for the best to be honest, it made it easier to get over the situation. What was your last relationship like?

T- To put it plainly, he cheated on me. Multiple times. Multiple girls. It was awful and to be honest very humbling too. Before him, I dated a girl. She messed me around and then ghosted me. So I find that now I'm very reserved.

L- I don't blame you for being reserved, you don't deserve that. I don't understand how they fumbled you McRae.

That earned me a smile from Tate. I like that we can have a deep, serious conversation but maintain the flirtatious banter we also have. It's a good balance, a major green flag for me. Could this girl get any better?

We ate our mains and desserts and it was time to initiate phase two.

L- Ready to go McRae?

She nodded and we made our way down to the bottom of the Tower. The lights that surround the exterior are astonishing.

L- So best first date ever?

T- Wait this was a date?

My neck almost snapped but as I met her eyes she started laughing. Thank God.

L- Don't do that I nearly had a heart attack.

T- I'm sorry *laughing more* This date has been amazing Leah, maybe we could do it again sometime.

L- I would like that.

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Back in my hotel room and I just laid on the bed thinking about the day that has just panned out. It could not have gone better.

Just before I close my eyes, I hear my phone go off.

[tatemcrae added a new story]

I felt my heart smile. Not as wide as the one on my face, but it definitely smiled.