Separated

Part 15

"Maybe this wasn't the best idea." Lindsey said and Stevie looked at him, her eyebrows slightly knitted.

"What do you mean? Why?" She instantly thought that he didn't enjoy spending time with her, that he saw it as a mistake, starting something between them.

Lindsey half smiled, calming her down. "You misunderstood. I don't regret asking you out, I'm just saying that we could have chosen a different place to spend our evening at, not the beach." However, Stevie still looked confused. "You're cold. You're shivering."

"Jesus!" Stevie exclaimed. "And here I was, thinking that you no longer wanted to be around me." She then leaned against him. "And maybe I'm just pretending that I'm cold, so you would man up and wrap me up in your arms."

Lindsey chuckled, his arm going around Stevie's back, he pressed a kiss to her temple. "You could have just asked, you know."

"I know. You, men, never see the signals."

"Well, I can't find that offensive, because it's true." Stevie lay her head on his shoulder. "Getting warmer?"

"Yeah." Lindsey felt her nod as he rested his chin on top of her head. "You smell nice."

"I feel like I should be saying that to you, but thank you." Lindsey said, hearing Stevie sigh.

"Why is it so hard for you to take a compliment? I know that you're a man, but why can't I tell you all the things I find attractive about you?"

"I don't know." Lindsey shrugged. "I guess, I'm just not used to hearing anything... nice about myself."

Stevie sensed sadness in his voice and she sat up straight, so they were eye to eye. "You smell nice." She repeated. "You have the most beautiful eyes." She even complimented his bone structure, which made Lindsey laugh lightly. "And I love your hands." Stevie added, reaching for one. "I don't know why." 

Lindsey let her study his hand for a moment longer, before closing his fingers into a fist, gently trapping her hand. He brought it up to his lips and kissed the back. They returned to their previous position, with Stevie pressed close against Lindsey's side, his arm tightly wrapped around her.

"Is your name actually Stevie?" Lindsey asked after a while. "I don't believe I've asked." 

Stevie chuckled, shaking her head. "My name is Stephanie. When I was little, trying to pronounce my name, seemed entirely too difficult for me. The best I could manage turned into Stevie. My family and friends have called me that ever since I can remember."

"That's cute." Lindsey smiled, staring off into the distance. "But then, you're pretty cute." Stevie tilted her chin up, making Lindsey look down at her. "You're beautiful."

For a second, Lindsey thought he said something wrong, seeing Stevie's eyes well up with tears, but she blinked them away and a glimpse of a smile crossed her lips. She hadn't yet managed to get over the most of the damage that Mick had caused her. She could barely remember when the last time was, when he told her that she was beautiful to him or attractive, or anything else nice really, while they were still a couple. And even when Mick said something, it hardly ever felt sincere. However, hearing those words from Lindsey, didn't just warm her heart, she believed what he was telling her.

"We're both pretty damaged, huh." Stevie joked tearfully as she wiped under her eyes. 

Lindsey didn't respond to that, but, even if a little hesitant, he said. "I- I think, I... I think I wrote you a song."

"Really?" Stevie asked, genuinely surprised. "I thought you only played the guitar."

"Right and I haven't written any words. It's just a melody." He then added, thinking that he shouldn't have brought it up. "It's stupid."

"Lindsey, it's not." Stevie shook her head, tucking her legs under herself as she sat on her heels, the palms of her hands pressing against the sides of his neck. "It's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. Well, I haven't heard it yet, but..."

Lindsey laughed, turning his head he planted a small kiss on her wrist. "Would you like to?"

"Of course!" Stevie replied honestly. "But you know what? I think it's time we go inside. My place, perhaps?"