Sign Your Name Across My Heart

Chapter two

I look from his hand to his eyes, his eyes that appear even warmer now than they did back in the other room and I reach forward, clutching his hand. He gently tugs, motioning for us to walk away and he places his hand on my lower back. I was a little embarrassed, as he probably felt how sweaty my palm is. He walks me down another hallway, away from the room where we met and he guides me to a door, sliding it open, which leads to a small outdoor terrace, with a beautiful view of downtown.

"I didn't catch your name earlier." He states as he shuts the door behind him. The music is drowned out by the glass door. I like it much more out here, it's quiet. I can hear the cars driving on the street down below, a couple horns honking, people laughing as they walk along the sidewalks - the nightlife booming.

"It's Libby." I say softly to him, keeping myself on edge, as I'm thankful he got me away from Ivy's disgusting friend, but also worried about his character, as they seemed to be friends or at least know each other.

"My name is Ash." He replies. He leans against the railing that leads to a big drop. I'm afraid of heights, so I keep my distance, standing very still near the door.

"Are you okay?" He looks at me.

"I'm okay." I answer him quickly, before gulping. Why am I so awkward? Why can't I hold a conversation to save my life?

He licks his lips before speaking. "Bram does that a lot..." He looks around the terrace before his eyes fall back on me. "He has a way of making women uncomfortable." He says. I guess it wasn't hard to tell that I was uncomfortable being on his lap.

"I can see that." I mumble. It goes silent between us for a while. "Thanks, by the way." I mumble, quietly. "For getting me out of there."

He shakes his head, "No need to thank me. You said you needed air before, I thought it'd be nice to come out here."

I have nothing to say, so I shift my weight from one leg to the other, crossing my arms over my chest, almost hugging myself. It's not cold out, I just do that a lot.

"Do you smoke?" He asks.

"No," I say, immediately after. I instantly grew increasingly embarrassed at how fast I answered. I hope I don't come off as rude or judgemental. It isn't my intention at all.

He shrugs his shoulders, "Just assumed... Since you stayed looking in that room for quite a while. I think if I hadn't said anything, you would have rolled up a joint of your own." He jokes, smiling, holding back a laugh.

I know he's just joking around with me, I think, but I frown, "Hey, that's not what it was. I just came across it. I-I didn't mean to intrude. I was just looking." I oppose his theory, staring at him in almost disbelief.

He laughs, his teeth showing with his wide smile. "I'm just kidding. It's a joke."

"Sorry." I reply quietly, rubbing the side of my arm with my other hand, feeling shy.

He slowly shakes his head again, "No need to apologize."

I look at him for a few moments, before I stare down at the ground. "I want to go home." I state.

I don't know why I told him that - I'm a grown woman, I can go outside and call a taxi all on my own, but for some reason it just slipped out.

"I can drive you home." He suggests. "If you'd like." He flashes a bright smile.

I think for a couple seconds, my mind racing. Do I accept his offer? Do I politely decline and just call a taxi? He's staring at me, he must think I'm weird. "Okay." I nearly blurt out. "Please." I add on, hoping not to come off as ungrateful.

"Alright, let's go." He nods, walking towards me, gripping the sliding door, pushing it open. The music from inside grows loud.

Ash and I walk through the crowd, passing by the couch where Ivy and Bram should be, but aren't anymore. I frown, but don't pay that much attention to it. Knowing Ivy, and now knowing Bram, they're probably somewhere having sex.

Ash and I leave the condo and go downstairs, exiting the building. He walks across the street without looking both ways, and I quickly scope the road before hurrying across as well. He unlocks his car, a black Infiniti. I've always thought these cars are so nice, I've never been inside of one but I've always wanted to.

I get into the passenger seat, amazed with the beautiful beige leather seats. I buckle myself up, watching Ash get into his car out of the corner of my eye. He buckles up as well and pulls out his phone. "Where do you live?" He asks.

I tell him my address and he types it into his phone, before resting it on his cup holders, starting the car and taking off.

"You want me to play the radio?" He momentarily takes his eyes off the road to look at me, stopping at a red light.

"Uh, sure." I mumble. Music is better than silence. The silence was different on the balcony, it was a good silence. I was getting away from the noise. The silence in this car right now is more so of that which is deafening.

He reaches forward and turns on the radio, flicking through stations before settling on a station that plays the best of the 70s. "This okay?"

I nod, "Yeah, that's fine." I grew up listening to this kind of music because of my parents. I'm familiar with a lot of songs.

The car ride is mostly silent, besides the music playing at a low volume. About twenty minutes pass, and we arrive at the little duplex that I live in. I rest my hand on the buckle to undo myself, but not before we come to a stop. I push down and unbuckle myself, letting it slide back into place behind the passenger seat. I look over at Ash to thank him and say goodbye, but he speaks before I'm able to.

"Can I have your number?" He asks me in a gentle voice, staring deep into my eyes.

I frown slightly, surprised by his question. "Why?" I wonder, quickly realizing I asked that question aloud instead of just in my head. I wince to myself, thinking I must look so rude. I just find it hard to believe a man like him wants my number. He seems like the complete opposite of me. He seems... cool. I know how silly that sounds but it's the only word I'm able to think of. I'm anything except for cool.

He laughs it off before running his hand through his hair. "I mean, so that we can talk? I'd like to get to know you. You don't wanna get to know me?" He asks slyly, raising his eyebrows.

I felt frozen as the sound of the song Slip Slidin' Away by Simon and Garkunkel was playing louder over the sound of my thoughts. I'm not sure if I should give him my number.

I don't know him and again, after all, he seems to be friends with Bram and I don't like the way he treated me. Maybe Ash is like him as well, but he's just hiding behind a smug persona for now.

"I-I have to go. I'm sorry. Thank you for the ride." I say in a hurry, trying to open the door, but it's locked. I'm mortified, closing my eyes tight, wanting to hide away in a shell, before I hear the click sound of the car unlocking.

"Have a good night." Ash says to me, almost in a sing-songy tone. I open the door and hurry out, closing it, not bothering to look as I hear faint laughter coming from inside. I almost run up to my door, the sound of my heels click-clacking on the concrete, dying to get into my bed and hide away from the world. I take my key out from my bra and quickly get myself inside, turning and peeking through the little window on the door, watching him drive away.

I take off my heels, happy to finally be home. I shouldn't have gone out tonight. I ended up leaving Ivy, so what was the point? I have a headache, despite not even drinking, so I walk to my kitchen and pour myself a glass of water, taking a couple of sips before heading to my bedroom. I unzip my dress, putting my glass of water down before taking it off completely. It drops to the floor, pooling around my feet and I step out from the ring of material, falling into my bed.