In My Life

Chapter 19

"You look lovely tonight Samantha." Paul said, drawing back my chair for me to sit on like the gentleman he was.

"Please Paul, just call me Sam." I blushed, drawing rings around the table nervously with my finger as he took a seat beside me.

"But Samantha is such a beautiful name." He sighed. "Just like you are."

"Paul!" I gasped, heat rising to my cheeks.

"As you wish." He smirked courteously.

Oddly enough, I didn't feel quite myself around Paul. He made me feel girlier, and more bashful, and I had never been a shy one.

He'd taken me to a quiet, candlelit, Italian restaurant on the short pier, which was impressive for a first date; the boy went to many lengths for perfection. It was a mildly warm summer night, the stars only vaguely visible, and for the first time in a long while, I'd even made the effort for him and put on a dress. It was one of mother's more exposing dresses she thought suited me nicely: dark, tight, trimmed at the top with a low neck line, and cut by the thigh.

"I hope you like this place." Smiled Paul, reaching across the table for my hands as we skimmed through the menu. "I wanted tonight to be everything you hoped."

"And you've succeeded Paul, so relax ay?" I smiled, pinning a loose strand of his immaculately gelled hair behind his ear.

He nodded, inhaling a few little breaths to settle his nerves, which I couldn't help but smile at fondly.

"Did I mention how ravishing you look Sam?" He beamed, studying me wondrously. "Your dress really brings out the colour of your eyes. Your beautiful, crystal-blue eyes."

I chuckled lightly, stroking his ear with my fingers playfully. "You may have mentioned that a few times to say the least."

He bit his lip nervously, stroking the back of my other hand with his thumb. "Sorry." He sighed reflectively. "I just love to see you smile."

"You do?"

"Mm hm." He nodded. "You have the most lovely smile."

"I could say the same thing about you." I laughed lightly, before Paul placed his palm gently on my flustered cheek.

"I really like you Sam." Said Paul earnestly, his doe, hazel eyes gazing profoundly into mine.

"I really like you too Paul." I whispered back, forgetting to even blink. Which was strange, as we'd really only just met each other. But I suppose there's really no wasting time in life as it's so short. It's like they say: 'when life hands you lemons make lemonade.'

"Do you mind?" Paul asked thoughtfully, inching closer, our faces now so close, I could feel each warm breath he took upon my neck.

I shook my head slightly, barely capable of speech by this point. "Not at all."

And with that, Paul leaned in further, and kissed me lightly on the lips, sending fireworks shooting through my bloodstream, and butterflies battering vivaciously in my knotted stomach.