Save (Negovanman)

Chapter 3

She brings me to a small Italian restaurant just around the corner. Wow, she really knows this area well. We get a table towards the front window, next to a young couple who are visibly obsessed with each other. 

Straight people. Gross.

I think Natasha saw my disgust because she laughs.

I watch her as she delicately unfolds the deep red napkin and places it on her lap, copying her movements. She hands me a menu, and we both go silent while flipping through the pages. Oh crap. Who's paying?!? I notice that all the items on the menu are $30 and above. I cannot afford this, but I also don't want this to cost her a fortune. 

"What are you getting?" she asks, seeing my concern.

"I think I'll get a salad," I try to say as nicely as possible.

"A salad at an Italian place? Please, order what you want. It's on me." She winks at me and folds up her menu. 

I settle on a bowl of pasta that isn't too expensive and close my menu, only to see her looking at me with a smile on her face.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

"I was just watching the way the corner of your mouth twitches when you're thinking." She looks away and says, almost as a whisper, "I think it's cute."

I blush and look down at my plate. She offers me a piece of bread, which I accept. Soon, the waiter comes, and I order the spaghetti I decided on.

"I'll have the penne with the white sauce, and if we could also get a bottle of wine," she looks at me. "Red or white?"

"Whatever you'd like. It's not necessa-"

"A bottle of white please." She looks up at me and smiles. 

"You know you didn't have to," I say, a little embarrassed. I mean, we met less than 24 hours ago and she's already spending lots of money on me. I feel bad. 

"I want to."

I can feel my heart begin to beat out of my chest. I am so in love with this woman. She's perfect in so many ways.

The waiter pours us our wine. We pick up our glasses and clink them together. 

"To many more nights like these," she says.

My heart beats even faster. She wants to spend more time with me? I am unable to speak because of how happy I am. 

We have a nice conversation while waiting for the food to come. I can feel myself start to get a little tipsy. I've always been a major lightweight. We both quickly dig into our meals, starving.  She looks up and laughs.

"You've uh, got a little something on your cheek there," she says pointing at my face.

Before I am able to wipe my cheek with my napkin, she's reaching across the table and slowly glides her finger across my cheek, resting her hand on my chin. Oh, how I love having her hand on my face. I feel a want, a NEED to lean towards her, to press my lips against hers. But I won't, because I need to learn to have better self control.

She sits back in her seat and we start talking about being actors. I learn about all the roles she's had, about how she's struggling to find a new part, about how she's also living off of her parent's money. She makes me feel like less of a loser. 

Before I know it the bill comes. She grabs it without hesitation and leaves her cash on the table. I thank her for diner.  

"How about I walk you home now," she says, helping me out of my chair. Damn, I don't want this night to end. I'd invite her over to stay but I think that's a little too soon. I don't want her to think all I want is to hook up or anything like that.

"That sounds lovely." I flash her a smile. We make our way past the annoying straight couple and to the door. How are they still here?

It's chilly outside, and I'm underdressed. Natasha obviously notices that, as she takes off her sweater and drapes it around the both of us. We're walking very close together. Our arms are touching, and our feet move in sync. We laugh as we both realize that we are taking steps at the same time. 

The walk to my apartment is nice. We walk slowly, under the streetlights, with the moon above our heads. We have gentle conversations, ones that I never want to finish. It is quite romantic. Before I know it, we're in front of my apartment, standing in front of the door.

"You can come in if you'd like," I say to her, not wanting her to leave.

"I think I'll head home, I'm a little tired." I feel sad. "We should do this another time." She smiles at me.

"I'd like that." I smile back at her. "Thank you for today, it was very nice."

"It was my pleasure." She hands me her phone. "Here, put in your number so I can call you to make new plans."

I type in my number, a huge smile on my face. I hand her my phone, and she does the same. 

"Feel free to call me whenever, I promise I'll always answer," she says, as she begins to walk off. Out of nowhere, my hand shoots out and grabs her arm, pulling her back towards me. She's really close to me. Oh my god Elise, what did you do? You're not gonna kiss her, it's too early!

"I'm so sorry, I don't know why I did th-"

She slides her hand down into mine, and slowly leans in, kissing me on the cheek. I can feel myself blushing. My heart starts going crazy.

"Have a good night Elise."

"You too Natasha."

I walk inside my apartment, make my way to my room, quickly get undressed, and go to bed happier than I've been in a very long time.