To Catch a Falling Star

7-"Honestly Weird"

Marykate's POV

As we entered the city, I couldn't keep my eyes off my window. The sun was just setting, sending rays of golden light splashing across the buildings. I'd never been a city girl—the idea of so many people, packed in one place, horrified me in a way similar to claustrophobia—but I had to admit, Hollywood was, well, dazzling.

I tore my eyes from the silhouette of the city to smile at Lawrence. "You know, I was skeptical about driving two damn hours for a first date, but the view alone makes it worth it," I said.

Instead of smiling back, as I had already noted he was prone to do, being as lighthearted and goofy as he was, a frown flickered over his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing. Just. Thinking," he said vaguely, plastering a smile on his lips.

I didn't respond, just turned back to the window. There was suddenly a very weird atmosphere inside of the car, and I suddenly regretted traveling this far with a guy I had just met.

Luckily, we arrived at our destination a few minutes later. It was Nobu.

"Seriously?" I asked, chuckling as we exited the vehicle. "We came to Hollywood for... sushi?"

The fleeting awkwardness lifted, and he raised an eyebrow. "Uh, yeah. Have you ever even had Nobu? It's worth it, babe. I promise."

"Alright, babe," I mocked, following him into the restaurant.

He presumably already had reservations, because the waitstaff immediately ushered us in. Surprisingly, he grabbed my hand and shot me a small smile. I was confused by his hot and cold behavior but decided to play along, giving his hand a squeeze and following him to the booth.

"Can I get your order?" The waitress asked after we had settled in. He'd chosen to sit on the booth next to me, an arm draped around my shoulder. Yep, he wanted in my pants. Why else would he push so damn hard for a date with a stranger? Especially after I had yelled at him? I was fine with it, though. I didn't expect much from men, to be honest. Especially not incredibly handsome ones.

"The usual, for the lady and I," Lawrence said, scooting closer and shooting me a loving glance. Damn, he might as well have tweaked my nose, with how lovey dovey he was acting. It was honestly weird.

He grabbed my hand as soon as the waitress left, gazing around the restaurant with an emotion I couldn't name haunting his eyes. Was it... expectant? Wary? No, definitely expectant.

I squirmed, my hand suddenly too warm in his grasp, and looked around the restaurant as well. "Are we waiting for someone?" I whispered, confused but trying to play along and gather some explanations for his odd behavior.

He laughed nervously.

"Not someone," he said wryly, almost to himself more than me.

"Huh?"

All of a sudden, his eyes lit up, but before I could look behind me, he wrapped his other hand around the one he'd been holding and leaned in and planted a kiss on my lips.

My mind went numb. Who cares that this is the first date? That this dude is a stranger? That he's acting sketchy? I didn't care in that moment. All I could feel was his lips on mine.

When he pulled back, his eyes were full of warmth and aglow with affection.

He let go of my hand and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

That's when I noticed the hoard of people across the room, wildly photographing us.

"What the—?!"

A/n; so I finally updated!!!! Tell me what you think. Sorry for being gone, let's just say I'm living a romance novel fairytale in real life <3