Love At First Joke | Sal Vulcano

3

The next morning Cassie awoke again to the sound of her alarm. She slowly sat up and switched it off - still half asleep.

She stood up from her bed and scraped her feet along the floor to the window, to open the curtains. Instantly full of regret as she was blinded by bright sunlight, beaming through her window.

argh, she thought as she covered her eyes. As she stumbled back, her leg caught against the bed, causing her to fall backwards onto it. Cassie laughed to herself as she sat up, whilst reaching for her phone. She scrolled through her notifications, spotting one from an unknown number. The message read:

Hey Cassie! It's Sal from the bar. Sorry for not texting you sooner, I've been busy all morning with the crew. I get off around 2pm today, fancy meeting me for a date? :) x

A grin plastered onto Cassie's face. Thankfully, she had a day off from work today so she was able to meet up with Sal.

Of course! Just let me know where nearer the time. Look forward to seeing you :) x

She pressed send and went to get ready for the day. As she showered all she could picture in her head was the kiss from the night previous. Was it possible for her to fall in love this quickly? she asked herself.

**

Once she was dressed in a smart but casual outfit, she heard the notification ring of her phone. The time was now 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Cassie strolled over to pick her phone up to see who it was. The message read:

Hey Cassie! I've finished slightly early so I'll come and pick you up, whereabouts do you live? :) x

Cassie became nervous, she was worried that Sal wouldn't want to meet her again after today, that he'd change his mind. She began to type up a reply to Sal, letting him know her address. Within seconds of the message being sent, Cassie received another from Sal.

Awesome, I'll be there in 10. God bless! ;) x

Cassie went downstairs to put on her shoes, she liked to keep a clean house and her rule was 'No shoes passed the entrance hall'. Especially when she had guests around.

As she finished tying her shoelaces, there was a knock at the door. Cassie jogged to the door and swung it open, to see Sal stood there. He was wearing black jeans and a black t-shirt with '#GFY' on it, with an unzipped hoodie hanging around his shoulders. In his right hand, he was holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Hello beautiful" he spoke, looking up and down Cassie's body, to take it all in. She blushed as she looked down at her feet in shyness.

"Hi, Sal" she smiled. He gestured for her to take the flowers from his hands, as she did, she wrapped her arms around his waist, pulling him into a hug. "Thank you so much Sal!" she said into his ear during the hug. Cassie went to pull away, as Sal placed a light kiss to her cheek and smiled.

"We better get going." Sal said as he escorted Cassie to the passenger side of his rented car.

**

After a 20 minute drive, Sal pulled into a nearby car park. It was near a small beach, with no one around. Sal unbuckled himself and proceeded to open the back door of the car. He pulled out a picnic basket and a blanket, cradling them in his arms. By this point, Cassie had exited the car and met Sal on the other side.

The pair of them walked down a small pathway before they reached the beach. As they were walking, Sal reached his arm out to reach Cassie's hand, "Can I?" he asked, as he interlaced his fingers with Cassie, holding her hand tightly - not wanting to let go. With a smile forming on Cassie's face.

They reached a spot, where Sal began to lay out the blanket, placing the picnic basket onto the corner and proceeded to lay out the contents inside. Sal kneeled down and pulled out a bottle of wine - being the one that Cassie had chosen that night at the bar - and two glasses. He patted the spot on the blanket next him, to gesture for Cassie to sit down. She sat down next to him, as he poured the wine into the glasses. His arm extended as he passed Cassie a glass. They clinked their glasses together and began talking about their days. Sal went on to talk about how his day at work was spent planning a punishment for two of his friends. Laughing as he spoke, his eyes crinkling shut as he giggled, trying to describe the plans.

**

The two had been on the beach for hours, what started as an afternoon date, spilled deep into the night, as a full moon filled the sky.

Sal took ahold of Cassie's hand and chuckled.

"You know Cas, I didn't ever imagine finding a girl while I was here filming. But seeing you the other night, it just-you just- I can't even describe it" he went on to explain. "You're so beautiful and what I love is that you don't even know it. I love telling you how beautiful you are and seeing you smile. Argh, it drives me crazy Cas." he chuckled, as he pulled her hand up to his lips, and placed a small kiss to her knuckles.

"Oh Sal, I don't know what to say...you're so kind and you're looks?! GOD BLESS!" she laughed as she kissed his cheek.

"Hey! That's my line!" he mocked. "Cas, can I say something?" Sal asked, turning to look Cassie in the eyes.