Finding Love in Florida

Chapter 6

Austin's POV

We walk into the restaurant, Alex holding the door for both of the girls. The restaurant was nice and small. It wasn't too busy since it's a weekday night, I just hope no one will notice me. I don't think Kelsey thought it was a date and I don't know what was going on between Alex and Sarah, but it seemed like it was turning into something. The hostess sat us all at a booth and told us our waiter would be with us shortly. Alex took the seat next to Sarah which caused Kelsey to sit with me.

Everyone was looking at the menu when I started hitting Alex's foot. He look up and gave me the "what's wrong look?". I took my phone out and texted Alex quickly so the girls wouldn't see us. 

Austin: She looks uncomfortable.

Alex: Who Sarah?

Austin: NO Kelsey, look at her. She's cramming herself into the corner of the booth.

I see Alex looking over at Kelsey who is studying her menu, trying to figure out what to get. I continue to look at my menu until my phone vibrated.

Alex: She looks fine, Sarah's in the same position. Maybe it's just how they like sitting in booths. 

I was about to respond to Alex when our waiter comes up to the table.

Waiter: Hello everyone, I'm Jason and I'll be your waiter for this evening. Is there anything I can get you to drink while you look at your menu's? Ladies?

Sarah: I'll just have a water with lemon, thank you.

Kelsey: I'll have the same as her.

I see the waiter checking out both of the girls, but Kelsey more than Sarah. I started to get a little annoyed even though Kelsey isn't my girlfriend...yet. I think Alex noticed because he started speaking to get the waiters attention.

Alex: I'll have a coke please and this guy here will have the same.

I waiter cleared his throat and then left to get our drinks. I see Kelsey looking down at her lap, there is a dim light reflecting off the shiny menu. She's texting, oh my god I can't believe, she's not having a good time. I'm snapped out of my thoughts once again when my phone vibrates. I look at Alex to see him still looking at the menu. I look back down at my phone to see it's a text from Kelsey.

Kelsey: I think it's really cute how Alex knows your drink order lol.

I silently laughed at the text and lean over to whisper into Kelsey's ear. "Yeah, we have been dating for a really long time. He knows everything about me." Kelsey laughs quietly while still looking at the menu. Our waiter comes back with our drinks and takes our order, he still stares at Kelsey. I really want to make a move to show him she's mine, but I'm too nervous and afraid it will scare Kelsey off.

Our waiter finally leaves and I see Sarah and Alex are in their own conversation. I was hoping Alex would act as my wingman, but clearly he has feelings for Sarah. Suddenly I hear Kelsey's voice whispering in my ear, "Is that how Alex looks into your eyes when you guys go out on dates together?" I looked at her and laugh. Soon the two of us are laughing and it seemed like Kelsey was more comfortable sitting next to me.

"So how bad does the sunburn look? And please be honest because when I asked Sarah she said it looked fine, but I think I look like a tomato." she asked me. "Honestly it's not that bad. I've seen worse. If anything it's a shade of pink." Kelsey expressed a sigh of relief, "Well, I guess I have your shirt to thank for that".  "Yeah I guess you do." I say as I send her a smile. Kelsey and I talked more as we waited for our food. We were deep into our conversation when I heard Alex clearing his throat, I looked at him to see the waiter back again only this time it was with our food. Kelsey got penne with vodka sauce, Sarah got angel hair pasta with pesto sauce, Alex got chicken parmesan and I got fettuccine alfredo.

We all talked  about movies we have seen and memories of each other's friendships. I had a lot of fun listening to Sarah and Kelsey talk about their college stories. It seemed like college was a lot of fun. I wonder what life would have been like if Alex, Robert, Zach and I ended up going to college. Soon we were finished with our meals and the waiter brought us the check. "Don't even think about it." Alex and I said at the same time as soon as we saw Kelsey and Sarah start digging through their purses. I see Kelsey sigh and roll her eyes out of the corner of my eye. I laugh to myself as Alex and I leave cash for the bill so we could just get up and leave.

------jump to Kelsey's Aunt's House----

Since Kelsey's aunt lives right off the Intercostal we decided to sit on the back porch for a little bit. Eventually Alex and Sarah decided they were going to go for a walk since it was only 9pm, leaving Kelsey and I alone. "So how are you liking Florida so far?" "It's everything I thought it would be, you know palm trees, the beach, the--" I decide to cut her off, "The hot boys playing football on the beach." She looks at me and laughs, "Maybe I was expecting that, maybe I wasn't. I definitely wasn't expecting the sunburn, but like you said it could be worse."

We just sat in silence for the next few minutes looking out on the water. There was a slight breeze so it wasn't too cold. I see Kelsey curl up on the patio swing we were both sitting on. It looked like she was freezing. I decided to move closer to her on the swing. I put my arm around her and Kelsey took the opportunity to lean on my shoulder. I wrapped my arms around her body keeping her close so she could keep warm. 

"Austin, can I ask you something?" I hear Kelsey ask me. I look down at her and see she is looking up at me, "Sure, what's on your mind?" I was kind of nervous to know the answer.

Kelsey's POV

Why was he being so nice? He first gives me his shirt on the beach, then wanted to join us for dinner, the dinner which he and Alex paid for (which I'm still a little annoyed about), now he's putting his arm around me and trying to keep me warm. I've never been treated this way and he was the last person I'd expect this from considering we just met on a beach this afternoon. I needed to know what he was thinking.

"Why are you being so nice to me?" The look on his face made me think he wasn't expecting the question. I sat up from leaning on his shoulder, his one arm was still around me. "I mean you gave me your shirt at the beach to prevent me getting burned by the sun, you and Alex paid for dinner, which you absolutely did not have to do by the way, and now you have your arms around me so I am warm. Why?" I looked into his eye. I couldn't read any other expression except confusion from his face. "I don't mean to be rude or anything I just...I wanted to know why? I don't get treated like this from any guy...ev-ever and I just wanted...to know why?" I breathe out as I look down at my hands, the last couple of words coming out as a whisper.

I feel Austin's eye staring at me as I play with my fingers, nervous as to what he might say. It's not long that I feel Austin remove his arm from around me and place both of his hands in each of mine. I jump at the touch but soon relax as he starts rubbing his thumbs against the top of my hands. I think he has leaned forward but I can't really tell since all I continue to stare at is our hands. "Kelsey..." I hear Austin breathe out almost at a whisper. I look up at him and see that our faces are inches away from each other. The next thing I knew my lips were touching his.