They Call Her Love | ✔️

38: They Call Her Happy

"Is your chicken good?"

"Delicious, actually."

"Mind letting me try a piece?"

"You're not getting anywhere near my chicken," I place a defensive hand over my plate.

Caleb's mouth drops into an O-shape. "The betrayal."

"The nerve," I say, referring to his ridiculous implication that I was going to share any of my food.

When he laughs, I find myself falling into the ease of laughing as well.

This is how tonight has been going, from the moment he picked me up at my place, until now.

Easy.

We had this natural connection that flowed between us. Our chemistry took us into childhood stories, embarrassing confessions, and thoughtful conversation. From the two hours we had been together, I'd say about ninety-percent of our time was spent laughing or engrossed in one of his life tales. I couldn't remember the last time I lost track of time from simply having a good time.

He chose our first date to be at a Mediterranean restaurant in the city next to Thompson, meaning we were away from our natural habitat. No family to bug us, no students from school to run into, no friends to spy on us, no cameramen around, and no publicist or manager to whisper dirty thoughts into my ear (if the comments Clarkson had to say while I was getting ready for this date weren't enough to make me want to leave the state, Penelope's lecture on safe sex was).

I was having the best night of my life, and while I've said that plenty of times before, I don't think I ever really meant it. I had never reached this level of comfort before, not only around another person, but also in my own skin. I wasn't worried about anything while with him and that is the most powerful feeling a person can give you.

I know he senses it too, that we are our truest selves around each other. I had never been more honest with a person than I was with Caleb. I didn't care if there was anything stuck in my teeth when I smiled, I didn't care if my my hair got caught in anything, I didn't care if my pants were unzipped, I didn't care if I sounded like an idiot when I told him my horrible jokes. I didn't care because I knew he didn't either.

He accepts me for everything that I am.

After dinner, and after splitting the check once I pretty much shoved my credit card down the waiter's throat despite Caleb's vocal protests, he offers a walk around the town park. Since it's starting to get a little warmer now that spring is around the corner, it's doable in the outfit I had chosen - black skinny pants, boots, and a mint green sweater. I threw on my camel colored coat over while Caleb slips his arms into a brown jacket.

In doing even the simplest of tasks, like putting on a jacket, he looked adorable.

"You ready?"

"Yup!" I nod, holding out my hand. My stomach flutters when his fingers interlaces with mine and we walk out of the restaurant with cheesy grins on our faces.

When we step out, the sun is just about to set. Across the street where the park is, each tree is lit up with fairy lights that causes the entire lawn area to glow like burning candle. A few families are out as well, taking in the enchanting evening. There are other couples making their rounds, and some night runners jogging.

What is this? Complete serenity? It can't be. I don't think my mind has been this clear in months. All I have to do tonight is simply focus on the person next to me.

"This is the best date I've ever been on," I hear myself confess to him.

This brings out another smile. Despite how many times he does, I don't think I'll ever get used to how weak it makes me. "I'm glad to hear that. If I'm going to be honest, I was freaking out over making sure it was perfect."