Chapter 20
Kyran
She's looking out the window as I drive her through the city back to my place.
I can tell she was a little apprehensive the moment I saw her.
But I also knew that it wouldn't take long to get her warmed up to being herself.
There's nothing remotely traditional about this situation, and while I've wondered if it was even something I thought would be worth going through with, the moment I laid eyes on her I knew there is no way I'll regret this. I have been anticipating this moment since I made the offer for us to meet in person, though I can’t say I imagined it like this. The feeling behind it is so much more than I thought. I feel nervous but because I like her so fucking much and I don’t know what this trip will bring us, but I hope it brings me closer to her.
I watch her eyes roam over the buildings in the reflection of her window as I travel slowly down the busy streets. It's cold outside and the sky threatens to rain or snow, but I'm glad it's held off to allow her a clear view of the city while she's here.
"So this is New York?" she asks, looking over at me and leaning back into her seat. I feel so much all at once when she looks at me, and for a grown man, it's hard to explain what her eyes do to me but they make me feel giddy.
"This is New York," I say to her with a smirk.
She's stunning. Even more so in person. And holding her in my arms at the airport was surreal.
I can't believe she's here. From talking to Weslyn who had started out as a stranger and then became my daily obsession, to now having her in my car isn't something I would have predicted.
It's crazy. But I can't stop staring at the smile on her face and enjoying the hell out of the response my pounding heart has to it.
She turns back to look out her window which gives me a moment to bring my head back to focus.
"Are you hungry at all? I can stop for pizza or something before we head to my place?" I stop the car at a stop light and turn to face her, waiting for her answer, wanting her to look at me again.
"I'd like that actually," she says without turning from the window.
I press on the gas when the light turns green and without another word, we head for the best pizza joint in New York. I pull into the parking space that opens up right in front of the restaurant, urging her not to move as I make my way around the vehicle to open her door for her.
"Rich, smart, talented, and a gentleman." She smiles at me as she compliments me, her eyes glistening as she steps out of the car.
I chuckle at her and I think she takes it as something to berate herself for because she immediately opens up to start apologizing.
"Sorry. Some things are better left inside my head," she says, and I shake my head at her as we head in.
"I actually like knowing what's on your mind. Don’t you dare attempt to hide that from me," I assure her, but we don't say another word until we're seated at a table.
I can tell she's starting to get nervous again, something I don't really know how to combat because I'm also finding that I'm slightly nervous as hell. But one thing I do know is that she tends to relax when I smile at her, so as soon as she brings her eyes up to mine, I grin and I see her shoulders drop from the tension they’re holding.
The waiter comes by to take our orders and after we put in the order for our pizza slices, I decide to take this moment to try and ease the mood for her. I don't want her feeling uncomfortable or nervous with me. Never with me.
I pull out my phone and start typing out a text. I hit send and wait for it.
Her phone dings and takes her attention. I watch silently as she leans over to grab for it, and I can see her eyes pull in confusion when she sees the text is from me.
But she doesn't look up at me as grins while reading it.
Hey, beautiful. What's on your mind?
You can see how nervous I am, can't you? I'm sorry.
I can. And there's really nothing to be nervous about, Weslyn. So stop apologizing for the way you feel.
I know. I know. But this is all so new to me and idk what to do. I'm scared I'll ruin it.
I won't lie, my palms were sweating while driving to the airport to get you.
Really?
Yes, really.
Why were you nervous?
I couldn't wait to see you. I couldn't wait to hear your voice. I want to make sure you have a good time while you're here. There was a lot going through my mind. And actually seeing you for the first time felt like a dream. It still does, Weslyn. I can’t believe you’re here and I’m worried I’ll ruin it.
That makes two of us then…
Yeah. And I've been drilling myself trying to decide what either of us expects out of this.
And what did you come up with? What should we expect out of this?
Each other. We were Weslyn and Kyran who texted, and now we're Weslyn and Kyran who are sitting down across from each other about to eat pizza. And soon, we'll be back at my place. It's still us, and that's all I really expect.
I'll say, you sure didn't seem nervous when you pulled me in for that hug.
Which by the way was a really good hug lol.
I could tell you didn't know what to do, so I decided to take initiative. And I'm glad you liked the hug. I hope I get to do it again.
Is it weird that we're doing this?
I don't think so. I think it's different. And that makes it kind of special if you ask me.
Weslyn looks up at me with a crazy beautiful smirk on her face and I feel as though if I were to never see her ever again after this, that smile would be painted into my mind. Stained. It’s the most gorgeous smile I’ve ever seen.
We both put our phones away as we laugh at what we've just done, but the air feels lighter and I can sense that she's more comfortable with the situation at hand.
"I just wanted to ease you into this. I want to make sure you leave here with no regrets," I tell her and I see the glimmer in her eye, grateful for my efforts.
"I really can't believe I'm here," she says right as the pizza arrives.
We spend the next twenty minutes eating and making small talk.
I watch the way her lips purse as she chews her food and I chuckle when she catches me staring and she covers her mouth.
I also analyze the way her eyes light up when I say her name, and the little wheeze that comes before she laughs.
It's just like we've known each other for years before today but all while still trying to get to know each other.
After we're done, I pay for the bill—which she tries to fight me on—and then we walk back to the car.
When I hold the door open for her, she smiles at me and something pulls in my chest. Finally, after all this time, I get to take this girl—the one who's been the subject of my dreams for weeks—back to my house where we can finally be alone.