Mutual Friends

3.0

My cheeks burn a furious crimson red as I relentlessly stare myself down in the mirror. Beautiful butterflies of anxiety erupt in my stomach, doing flips and twists daring to make me sick. My dress is stunning, but my nerves are making me second guess myself. Is it too much? Should I even go? I'm still enraged with the lies, yet I stand in a dress so winsome and alluring waiting for him to come and sweep me off my feet because he drives me crazy. There's a quiet knock at the door that makes my stomach somersault better than an acrobat; I answer with a small smile, finding him stood with a vibrant dahlia, lisianthus and rose bouquet similar to the one I pointed out on our friend date. I blush with a light chuckle at the sight and as his eyes meet mine, the butterflies in my stomach settle and my posture softens. He calms me when I'm in the eye of the storm, despite his ridiculous lies. I argue with myself that I'm weak for letting him in, but how easy it would be to fall into his arms. 
"I told you I was going to do this right," he smirks, passing me the bouquet. I invite him in and settle the flowers into a vase of fresh water.
"Thank you," I smile. "I'm surprised you remembered."
"How could I not? You were practically drooling over them," I giggle, leaving the house and following him to his car. We exchange small talk on the drive over but change the subject as we approach his house.
"We're here because I know how much of a homebody you are," I nod, intrigued as to what he has planned. We go through his bland new home, that he's yet to fully furnish and decorate towards the garden lit up with lanterns hanging from trees and candles along the path. I gush at the sight.
"You did all of this?"
"I did, yes." He's beaming, shoulders proud, directing me to a teepee fit for two situated in front of a projector.
"You did not have to do this much, Isaac!" I jog towards the blankets and cushions sprawled across the grass and cuddle up to one. Isaac perches next to me, but not too close. 
"Fact for a fact?" He questions, taking me aback as I recall our old conversations.
"Okay," I grin.
"I am falling in love with you," he tells me with the most serious face I've seen of his. I gulp, the butterflies erupting all over again. I struggle to formulate a sentence because I feel the same. He's waiting for me to say something, clearly anxious himself.
"I'm falling in love with you too, Isaac." I blurt out. We share a gaze for what feels like decades as we decide what to say next but eventually, settle on not saying anything at all as he leans forward to kiss me. It's gentle and soft. He's perfect and I wouldn't want right now to be any different. The fears of vulnerability and weakness melt away as we fall into each others arms because right now, this is right.