The Missing Gem

20 | The Perfect Date

Lucas

"You're a lucky man to have Nicole. Don't ever let her go. She's a real gem."

The words Nicole's ex-boyfriend said when he called me out as we were making our way to the car still hung around in my head, almost like an on going, never stopping alarm clock.

Also like an annoying (that was anything but!), nagging reminder, that hasn't left my mind since yesterday was the thought of what Pixar had proposed to me. In order for me to follow my dreams and actually making them come true, I had to leave it all behind in London, and pack my bags permanently. That meant leaving my sister and leaving Lexi, who in all honesty, needed me.

Nicole's words snapped me out of my relenting thoughts.

"Luc, did you hear me?"

"Uh, sorry. What is it?"

"I was asking you, what's the dress code for tonight? If there is one, of course."

Ah, tonight. Tonight was the night I was taking Nicole out on her perfect date, and I was beyond excited about it. We didn't have a lot of proper, romantic dates, except that dinner at my place, although I wouldn't even qualify that one as an actual date. 

I wanted to take her out, visit some place different with her. After she let me in on her little secret of her perfect date and after I had my trip to California set up, I talked with Diane about all the details that I needed to take care of before we went to the Santa Monica Pier. 

"There's no dress code. Wear whatever you want." 

"So I don't need to worry about going to a fancy restaurant dressed like a tramp?"

I laughed at her question and rubbed her shoulders gently. "Nope. Just trust me, will you?"

"Of course, mister." She pecked my lips quickly and disappeared into the bathroom to apply a little bit of (unnecessary) make up.

Not too long after she was going through some of her clothes and chose a simple, casual outfit - with dark blue jeans, brown boots and a beige lacy shirt that matched beautifully with the denim jacket she had on, she was ready and set to go out with me to the date she looked forward the most her entire life.

We got in the car and drove through Pacific Coast Highway which is easily the most beautiful trip anyone could take, with the most breathtaking views I've ever seen.

Every time I looked to my right I had Nicole's big, brown eyes that looked like two roasted coffee beans starring at me, with the endless blue ocean behind her. The window was opened just an inch but it was enough to let the wind enter the car and cause her hair to dance around frenetically, letting the aroma of cinnamon and vanilla of her hair to travel right to my nostrils.

We stopped whenever it was possible to take some pictures, the heated colors of autumn that usually painted the city of London in its colorful leaves were the same that painted the clear sky in California. 

Finding a place to park the car was no easy task, but after we finally found a teeny tiny spot where we could fit the car in, we made our way through the crowds and finally arrived at Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park. 

Once she realized we were heading towards the place that we'd talked about before, the place that she'd so badly wanted to go to, on a date, she was over the moon excited about it.

I turned my head to look at Nicole and her wide smile and the twinkle in her eyes made my heart flutter. 

"You're the best boyfriend ever, thank you so much!" Her lips were pursed as she kissed my cheek and squeezed my hand.