Leave it to Fate (Fate Series - Book #1)

Chapter Four - Dinner Date

Boston traffic was notorious for being bad, but Colson coming from Los Angeles, had experienced worse. Storrow drive was backed up with cars, but I was enjoying this time we had alone to talk. It was a safe little bubble from the world around that that was scratching to get in.

"So tell me about your day." I asked, keeping the conversation light.

"Oh you know, woke up, smoked a blunt, hopped on a plane to meet a girl," Colson grinned.

"That is quite the adventure." I commented.

"And it's just getting started." he replied.

I liked the sound of that. But the small bit of doubt, had me wondering if I was worth all this trouble?

"I need a little adventure in my life." I spoke, realizing the truth to the words.

Yes, my career was important, but here was someone who also held his career in high regard. Maybe it was flimsy, but it seemed like a quality I would need in another person.

"Be careful what you wish for," he warned playfully, "Because that's what my life is most of the time."

"Yeah? How so?" I asked.

"I tour most of the year, which is a blast. My band and I get up to mayhem where ever we go." his eyes dazed as he remembered, "What about you?" 

I paused, slightly embarrassed, "Not much lately. I've been so focused on getting this job, it's all I allowed myself."

"Well, I'm honored to be part of your reintroduction to a social life." he placed his hand on his chest.

I giggled, "As you should be."

The car gracefully pulled over into a fire lane, as there was no hope to find an open parking spot. Colson hopped out of the car first, the brisk air wafting in. His hand outstretched, I placed mine in his and let him assist me out of the car. I watched the ground as I stepped onto the side walk. Colson put his hand on the small of my back, as he joined me.

Underneath the glow of the city, the world blurred around us. 

"You look amazing," Colson commented, as his eyes took me in.

I blushed, embarrassed at the compliment. 

I couldn't believe this was all real. I wanted to tell him how handsome he looked too, that the blue of his eyes deepened in the nightlife that bustled around us. That his smile tore through his bad-boy appearance in stunning white brilliance. But the overwhelming feeling of the evening choked in my throat. I stared at my heels instead, smiling ear to ear despite my nerves.

As we walked down the alley that held our destination, his fingers laced around mine, leading the way. I could feel the callouses on the pads of his palm that I knew a guitar could leave. My late father was a musician in what felt like another lifetime. I liked how my hand felt in his. Safe. Secure.

I chanced a glance up at him as we walked, appreciating once more the way he looked in the street lights of Boston. My cheeks burned anew when he looked over and caught my stare. He laughed softly, giving my hand a squeeze. The light-hearted sound of his laugh made my stomach flip.

The red neon sign that read Vivian's, could be seen as we approached, along with the cameramen Colson warned me about. How did they know where'd we be?  Well, I guess I'm glad it's only three of them, unlike at the spa. I shuttered. I hated the thought of being in that flurry of flashes again.

"So?" Colson asked as we approached, "Are you ready for episode one, dinner date?" He joked.

I smiled despite the worry that began to build, and I nodded as he held open the door. While I enjoyed the pleasure of his company, the reminder that it would be on display caused me to walk through unsure.