Then I Saw Your Face

Linda

The date with Danny went very well, and for about three or four months afterwards, we carried on like that. We talked back and forth on the telephone at night during dinner, went to the movies together, I even got to see his cop brother a few times.
When I accepted my new job, Danny took me out to celebrate. On that date, we kind of had to go Dutch, because the champagne he had ordered took up most of his cash. He insisted on paying me later, but I refused.
"It's okay, Danny. You really don't need to pay me."
"I'm gonna pay you back. You shouldn't be paying for something that you were treated to." He handed me the money.
I sighed, what could I do? He did kinda have a point. "Fine. This one time." I took the money, "but afterwards, I'm not accepting paybacks."
"Fair enough."
Today, I was getting ready for another date. It was October, so I chose a cute sweater, boots, and jeans. (Our attire has become casual). I was excited as I got ready for the date.
**********
I felt the tears in my eyes while I sat across from Danny in the restaurant. Why, oh why, did I have to get cramps today? They couldn't have waited until tomorrow?
"Why so quiet?" Danny wondered, looking at me.
I shrugged, "just tired, I guess. I'm sorry I'm not very good company tonight—"
"No, it's okay."
I closed my eyes, digging my nails into my palm. I willed the tears to stay at bay, the background music wasn't helping. 'Eternal Flame' by the Bangles filtered though the speakers, ordinarily I loved that song. But with my emotions running wild, I just couldn't keep the tears in. They started falling silently, much to my dismay.
"Linda, are you okay?" Danny wondered.
I nodded, then shook my head, "Excuse me..." I was barely able to say as I left the table. I walked outside, forgetting my coat. It was late October, and the air was cold. I hated myself for doing that, but I needed to cry.
"Linda?" Danny draped my coat over my shoulders, "What's the matter? What happened?"
"I'm sorry. Could you please take me home?" I looked down, embarrassed with myself.
"Yeah, okay." He led me to the car, and held the door for me. Which only made me cry more.
I hate this, I sniffed, hugging my jacket to me, stupid hormones!
"Do you need anything? Like a.... pain killer or.... chocolate something?"
I smiled a little bit, at least he's thoughtful.... "no thank you."
"Okay..."
*********
"Can I walk you up? Y'know, cop instinct again." Danny smirked and rolled his eyes. I had a feeling he just wanted to make sure I wasn't going to jump out a window or something.
I nodded and slowly got out of the car. "Can we take the elevator?" I barely whispered.
"What?"
"Elevator. Can we use?"
"Uh, yeah. Sure." We walked into the elevator, my tears still coming. I sniffled all the way up to my floor, hoping Danny wouldn't find me a crybaby. Of course, he had no idea why I was crying....
When we got to my door, I looked to the floor, "I'm sorry." I whispered, "I-" but I stopped because Danny pushed my hair behind my ear.
"It's okay. I think I know why you're crying."
"You do?" I looked at him, not knowing if that was good or bad.
"Mmhmm. You could've just said you weren't feeling good."
"I really wanted to be with you, though." Did I just say that?
"I wanted to be with you, too," he pushed the hair that had fallen into my face behind my ear again. With his thumb, he brushed my tears off my left cheek.
I looked into his beautiful hazel eyes, searching for something. Slowly, he pulled my head towards him. I wasn't thinking anymore, I let my heart take over. I closed my eyes slowly, and felt my lips touch his. He stroked my hair and I put my arm around him, the other one close to my chest, resting on his chest. Danny's arms held me close, as if banishing all the nasty things I thought about myself.
We slowly parted, our foreheads rested together. I closed my eyes, it was our first kiss. And I felt so much love from it. I sighed, "I love you." My eyes went wide and I backed away a little. I looked at Danny, horrified I had just read the signals wrong. After all, people, I was on my period. And I had been known to take things the worst possible way when my emotions were like that.
But Danny only smiled, and whispered, "I love you, too."
A smile spread on my tear-streaked face, "Really?"
"Yeah, I really do." He kissed me again, and the rest, as they say, is history.