Attraction

48.

My morning shift at the store ends and I clock out of work as I walk out to my car feeling a little more energetic than I usually do. It's been a week since I've last seen Paul, he hasn't contacted me and I haven't contacted him. Once I arrive back to Layla's house, I finish packing the rest of my boxes and load them out to my car where I meet Quil.

"You ready?" He asks me.

"Yeah, let's go do this" I smile at him as we get in our cars and drive, he follows me to my new apartment complex which thankfully isn't too far from Layla's house. Quil helps me unload everything into my new apartment, including the mattress I bought earlier today. Once everything is in order I let out a deep breath and turn to face him.

"Thank you so much, I really appreciate it."

"No problem." He replies before checking his phone. "It's Claire, I told her I would help her with tennis practice today. She has a tournament coming up."

"That was nice of you, well, I have a date tonight so... I should get ready." I respond and he shoots me a surprised expression.

"Does Paul know?" I frown.

"He doesn't need to know. We aren't together anymore..." I say in a obvious tone.

"I know. I just think you should be careful, he's very... Protective of you."

"Yes," I sigh. "I'm gathering that."

Quil and I say our goodbye's as he closes the door behind him. I turn to go down the hallway and take a hot shower so I can start getting ready for tonight.
Once I'm out of the shower, I let my hair air dry and I open my closet to put on a dark green dress that stops above my knees, I put on some black boots and I apply a little bit of makeup not wanting to overdo it like I had for the night club.
My phone chimes as I check the message from the man I'm supposed to have a date with tonight.

Meet you there in ten?

I message him back letting him know I'm about to get in my car, I grab my car keys as I walk out of my apartment locking the door behind me. Thankfully I'm on the first floor so I don't have worry about going down the stairs anymore.
The drive to the restaurant is only seven minutes away from my apartment so I arrive there pretty quickly. As I get out of my car and walk inside the restaurant, my eyes search around for the tall, tan man with dark hair and brown eyes, Noah.
Our eyes meet and he gives me a friendly smile as he stands up from the table and walks over to greet me.

"Hey, it's good to officially meet you" He greets me politely in a slight British accent.

"You too!" I give him a smile as we walk back to the table together where I sit down across from him.
As I take in his features, I'm taken back by how handsome he actually is. The stubble around his jawline, his thick dark locks, he has a warm tan to his skin that brings out the honey color of his eyes.

"How have you been?" He asks me. "I know you said you hurt your ankle and had to get stitches" His eyes hold some concern but I give him a reassuring smile.

"I'm doing better, thanks. It's healing up pretty fast. How about you, how are you?"
I keep my voice melodic and light.

"I'm good, I got home from work today which was long but I can't complain" He says flashing me a charming smile of perfect white teeth.
A waiter approaches our table and greets us both before taking out drink orders.

"I'll have a water" I say looking up to the waiter.

"A water for me, too" Noah replies. The waiter walks away leaving Noah and I to talk some more.

"So, your profile on Tinder said your a painter?" I ask him curiously, Noah flashes me another alluring smile.

"It's my passion, I don't think any other career would ever make me as happy as I am when I paint." He replies to me, I give him a small smile and nod my head interested in what he has to say.