Love's Not A Competion

A First

I was so nervous. I shouldn't be. Just a little over 12 hours ago we'd been wrapped up in a passionate embrace so it's not like he wasn't interested. He might find me boring or weird though. This could change his mind and I really couldn't stand it if he didn't like me any more. I'd never felt like this, normally I didn't care if someone didn't like me but I wanted Ricky to like me so much. Or did I mean love? Did I love him? I could feel a panic attack start to prickle my emotions. My palms were sweating and my legs were starting to shake underneath me. I had to sit down and take a few deep breaths.

I sat down on a bench a few meters along the road from the building where Ricky had told me to meet him. After a few sips of water, I always kept a bottle in my bag, I sat back and closed my eyes with my handbag hugged to my body. Breathe in and out, slow and gentle, cool and calm.

Someone coughed next to me. I ignored them. They coughed again, louder this time. Ew, stop coughing your germs on me weirdo.

"Juliette, wake up." the familiar Yorkshire voice whispered in my ear, shortly followed by a kiss on my cheek.

I opened my eyes and glared at him for thinking I was asleep. He was wearing a cosy looking patterned jumper and glasses. That was a new look. I hadn't expected glasses.

"I wasn't asleep!" I scowled at him. "I was clearing my head."

"Whatever you say!" he laughed. "You ready for our date?"

I nodded. I had no idea what our date was. I was just told to meet him in a street near Trafalgar Square and wear comfy shoes. I always wore comfy shoes though. He pulled me into a big hug as I stood up and wrapped his coat around me. I closed my eyes as I tucked my face into his neck and breathed in his smell. He even smelt nice.

"You smell nice." he told me as we broke apart. "You smell fruity and girly."

"That's cose I'm a girl!" I laughed.

"No, you're a sexy lady." he told me.

I snorted and elbowed him in the ribs. "Oh, I have something for you." I told him as I reached into my bag. "I believe this is yours!"

He laughed as I handed him back his sock. "Thanks! I loved your text about that. I laughed a bit too loudly in the meeting when I read it." He took my hand and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. "Come on gorgeous, lets go and see some art."

"Art?" I asked. "You like art too?"

"Yeah, I studied art for a while." he told me as we walked. "I was really impressed with all the posters in your flat. I also though you'd like it considering art is part of your job description."

I squeezed his hand with excitement. "You're awesome!" I told him.

"Thanks!" he laughed.

"I didn't know you wear glasses too." I commented later on.

"I normally wear contacts but since I accidentally slept in them last night I thought I should have a break." he replied.

"I think you look even more handsome with glasses." I whispered. "It's a nerd girl thing. We like our own kind."

We walked around the gallery arm in arm, discussing the paintings and comparing them.

"Wait here." Ricky told me as we were walking down a boring looking corridor.

"Why?" I hissed at him as he headed over to a stern looking security guard.

"Lets just say I've made some friends." he told me with a wink over his shoulder.

I watched as he shook hands with the man and talked a bit. The man nodded a few times, Ricky pulled something out of his wallet to show the man, the man talked into a walkie talkie. Ricky looked over at me nervously a few times while all this happened. After a while another man arrived and the three talked for a bit. I was getting confused and a little worried. Finally I was beckoned over and took Ricky's arm again.