𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄(gxg)

Chapter 25

EMILY'S perspective

I pulled up outside of an old apartment complex, one with a rusted staircase and an alley off to the side were a group of boys are circled in. This couldn't be the right place. Rose lived here?

I glance at the time on my dashboard and decide to shoot her a text to let her know I'm here. However, the waiting only brings me anxiety and I begin to overthink the possibilities of tonight. It could go terrible, things could end up worse than they were before and that wasn't a chance I was wiling to take.

A tap disrupted my thoughts from the other side of the glass, my heart rate slowed when I saw it was Rose. I proceeded to unlock the doors to let her in, her scent of vanilla and lavender immediately filling the space. She looked at me with a toothy smile, leaning over the console to give me a hug.

It was awkward and unexpected yet comforting and warm. It was what I needed to soothe the nerves. "You ready?" I uttered, turning my attention back onto the street, quickly taking in the fact that her hair was straightened and she was wearing more makeup than she normally would. Nevertheless she was stunning, I liked the dolled up side of her just as much as I liked the sweat pants and messy bun version. They were both helplessly cute and weirdly sexy.

She nodded, giving me the ok to head in the direction of the restaurant we'd be going to. "I hope you're not taking me to Lombardi's." She sarcastically laughed.

I giggled along with her, remembering the night when we ran into each other and unknowingly talked via a dating app. All of that seemed so long ago, so much has change since then. "No." I stare at her from the corner of my eyes, admiring her fascination in all of the city lights and buildings we passed by, "I think you'll like this place better."

She smirks at me and goes back to her gazing. Every now and then I steal glances at her, just taking in her beauty before I have to stare back at the road and continue to drive. The ride is mainly silent, there's music on the radio that Rose will occasionally bop her head to or hum along with. I'm too lost in my head, there was still a high chance of me fucking this up, I didn't want to ruin anything this time.

I parked along the curb, hurriedly getting out of the car to open Rose's door before she had the chance to. She thanks me, taking in her surroundings before she realizes we're standing in front of a pizza parlor.

She slightly frowns, "If I knew you were taking me out to pizza I would've dressed more casual. Everyone will be looking at me." There's a small whine in her voice as she motions to her dress and high heels.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes, "people would be looking anyway...you're gorgeous." I announce, half muttering the last part in hopes she wouldn't hear, however there's more of a tint added to her cheeks when she walks past me and gives me a shy smile.

We order our food—cheese with pineapple—along with a few drinks and sit close to the window. "You remembered." She stated.

My right eyebrow lifted, clueless as to what she was referring to.

"Pizza." She added, looking at me in the funniest way I've ever seen, "when we first starting texting I mentioned I liked pizza and you told me you didn't. What changed your mind?"

I ran my fingers through my hair. "I honestly don't know, people change I guess..."

She scoffed and looked around the shop, waiting for another conversation to start. I wasn't sure what to talk about and the silence was becoming too thick to pick up where we left off.

I sighed, thinking back to Grey's words and just decided to go for it, be vulnerable and real with her, it was what she deserved.

"Look Rose, I know this may be a little strange to you but I'm really struggling to make conversation. I don't know what to say without sounding dumb or offensive and I'm nervous because I—"