The Game of Hearts

27. Nerves

I waited impatiently by the door, my heart racing with anticipation. It was six - forty and I was way too early to be ready, but I couldn't help it. I wanted to get it over with. Not in a sense that I didn't want to... but butterflies were swarming eagerly in my stomach and I knew when I saw him they'd relax. Hopefully.

He never really gave any indication that we'd be eating somewhere fancy. Of course he mentioned to wear something nice but I wasn't a dress girl. Never had been. So I wore black, tight jeans and a long sleeved shirt with heeled ankle boots. My nerves were getting the better of me.

As I waited for Rowan, my mind wandered to other things. Like Liam, and what I was going to do if I had chosen one or the other. I can imagine Rowan being heartbroken for some reason... Liam however would be able to get over it. Rowan seemed so much more invested in me than him. Those confusing feelings came fluttering back but once a knock at the door came I stood still, all feelings gone. For a few moments, I didn't bother with the door. I just stared intently. When I did open it, I was met with Rowan's flirty smile. Thank God he wasn't all dressed up. We kind of looked the same actually. He wore all black as well. A nice fitted shirt and jeans that made me wonder what Liam would wear in this situation. It seemed like Rowan was more like me in some weird sense.

"Hi," I said confidently, pushing my chin up a bit.

"Hello there," he responded, moving his hand out for me to take it. I'd never held his hand before. Not in a "date" way. Swallowing hard, I took his hand and interlocked our fingers, surprised by how comfortable it actually felt. I saw his shoulders lower as though he had been nervous before, but that lifted just as it had with me. "Shall we?"

A small smile played on my lips and I took another deep breath before nodding. I locked the door and followed him out to his car, which was also black. Of course, Rowan ended up opening the door for me. Of course, I ended up giving him a sassy remark. Something about how I can take care of myself.

On the drive I couldn't help but sneak looks his way. This was definitely out of our comfort zones, or maybe just mine. He seemed so content, driving his date to some place she had no idea about. It was kind of exhilarating to be completely honest. When we reached the restaurant I found myself awestruck.

The restaurant wasn't totally fancy but it wasn't casual either. It had a bohemian-esque look to it, which was surprising in a small town. He opened the door for me like before and we held hands as we walked into the building. This had romance written everywhere. Candle lights, rose petals on every table, and even damn champagne on the bar for any one to take. Somehow, we didn't even need to speak to the waiters. They escorted us to a table in the far corner, no one else around it.

"Did you reserve this?!" I whispered loudly to him, my voice a bit excited.

All he did was give me a smirk and nudged me with his elbow before we sat down. The waiter came back with two glasses of clear, bubbly fluids which I could only guess was that champagne from the bar. Rowan smiled and nodded at the waiter before the man left. Then his attention glided to me.

For a few moments he just stared at me, like he was analyzing my body language and any thoughts I was hiding behind my eyes.

"This place is very beautiful Rowan. Thank you for taking me," I finally said, feeling bashful all of a sudden. I didn't usually get like that. I mean, with Liam I did which I also didn't understand that. But why with Rowan? Why now?

"Yeah, best place in town. Especially for a date," he winked at me, leaving me a bit speechless.

"It's so weird... I never thought we'd end up in a place like this. And I never thought that I'd get so weird around you," I ended up blowing my cover.

"Weird?"

"Yeah... I'm just feeling some weird things I didn't before," I murmured, casting aside my gaze with a bit of unease. I looked back up at him when he didn't answer. He seemed to be processing what I'd said but when our eyes met, he smiled playfully.

"I knew you'd fall for me. It was only a matter of time," his teasing tone made me chuckle and roll my eyes.

"Not so fast," I rose an eyebrow and drank my bubble water with ease. "I haven't fallen for you yet. You still have to convince me."

"Right!" He exclaimed and opened his menu. "Get whatever you want babe... it's all on me," he sent me a wink before looking into the large leather book.

I didn't know how it felt to be treated like a princess, but this was the closest I could ever get to it it seemed.