heels and a sequinned jacket, I was ready in time to go for once.
The driver was waiting for me already as I rushed out of our house, almost stumbling in my heels. Suddenly, the prospect of going to an art gallery opening didn’t feel so dreadful after all. I might even have some fun without my mother breathing down my neck every second of the evening!
As the driver opened the door for me and I climbed in, I stumbled again and made a not-so-graceful entrance into the car.
“Careful there,” a rough voice warned me and I jumped up, hitting my head on the roof of the car. Brilliant, Reina, I scolded myself in my mind, settling on the seat.
My eyes found the mystery voice.
I could tell you some bullshit or other about love at first sight, but I refuse to do that. This wasn’t love. As soon as I looked into those dark eyes, I fell hard. I saw him making it all better. Saw him taking care of me, wiping my tears when no one else would. Kissing me goodnight and holding me until I fell asleep.
I blushed furiously as the thoughts raced through my head and looked away, clutching the sequin jacket closed over my chest, suddenly self-conscious.
He leaned forward and offered me his hand. “I’m sorry,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Rowan Carlson. I’m from your mother’s new law firm.”
I reached out a shaky hand and used the moment to steal another glance at him. He was so tall his head was almost touching the roof of the car. Dark, messy hair that didn’t suit a lawyer at all, and scruff on his face. Those dark eyes, and full lips, combined with chiseled cheekbones, made me crush on him instantly.
He was older, but not ancient, like I’d expected him to be. I stared at his lips intently for a second, wondering what he tasted like.
Stop being such a stupid schoolgirl, I scolded myself and fought back a giggle.
“Reina,” I said simply, and realized with surprise he was smiling himself. “What?” I demanded.
“Err,” he hesitated for a moment, then laughed softly. “You’ve got lipstick all over your teeth.”
I blushed again and furiously wiped my mouth as the car got going. Great first impression, I thought sarcastically. Way to go, Reina.
3
The evening was a blur in the best way possible.
As soon as we made our way to the gallery, my eyes were wide open and curious. I thanked myself in my mind for not wearing the green dress – everyone there was so fashionable and chic. Rowan offered me his hand as we walked in and I hesitated before taking it.
As soon as I did, an electric current ran through my body and I had to look away to hide my sharp intake of breath. It felt so good to be touched by him, even if it was in a platonic way.
For the next few minutes, wonder took over my crush as I was intrigued by the beautiful exhibition. I wandered around the place, inspecting every painting and smiling politely at the visitors. Everyone was so nice, and I’d had a few compliments already. Whereas I would usually shrug them off, today I took them in stride, glowing brighter with every new one.
Sometimes, I felt Rowan’s eyes on me, but as soon as I turned to look at him, he looked away. I felt a burning need for him in my stomach like nothing I’d experienced before when I went out with my classmates. But combined with the high of being out on my own, I was thrilled.
Even the talk with the investors went well, and only took a few minutes. They complimented my appearance and I blushed lightly, taking the compliment. Reassured, the investors went on to see the exhibition and I clutched Rowan’s hand excitedly, forgetting about the crush for a split second.
“That went so well!” I said excitedly and he gave me a small smile.
“I’m not surprised. You’re a born talker,” he winked at me. God, that made my insides churn.
I looked away, blushing for the upteempth time that evening, but he took my hand and I turned back, surprised.
“Want to see something?” he
The driver was waiting for me already as I rushed out of our house, almost stumbling in my heels. Suddenly, the prospect of going to an art gallery opening didn’t feel so dreadful after all. I might even have some fun without my mother breathing down my neck every second of the evening!
As the driver opened the door for me and I climbed in, I stumbled again and made a not-so-graceful entrance into the car.
“Careful there,” a rough voice warned me and I jumped up, hitting my head on the roof of the car. Brilliant, Reina, I scolded myself in my mind, settling on the seat.
My eyes found the mystery voice.
I could tell you some bullshit or other about love at first sight, but I refuse to do that. This wasn’t love. As soon as I looked into those dark eyes, I fell hard. I saw him making it all better. Saw him taking care of me, wiping my tears when no one else would. Kissing me goodnight and holding me until I fell asleep.
I blushed furiously as the thoughts raced through my head and looked away, clutching the sequin jacket closed over my chest, suddenly self-conscious.
He leaned forward and offered me his hand. “I’m sorry,” he said gruffly. “I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Rowan Carlson. I’m from your mother’s new law firm.”
I reached out a shaky hand and used the moment to steal another glance at him. He was so tall his head was almost touching the roof of the car. Dark, messy hair that didn’t suit a lawyer at all, and scruff on his face. Those dark eyes, and full lips, combined with chiseled cheekbones, made me crush on him instantly.
He was older, but not ancient, like I’d expected him to be. I stared at his lips intently for a second, wondering what he tasted like.
Stop being such a stupid schoolgirl, I scolded myself and fought back a giggle.
“Reina,” I said simply, and realized with surprise he was smiling himself. “What?” I demanded.
“Err,” he hesitated for a moment, then laughed softly. “You’ve got lipstick all over your teeth.”
I blushed again and furiously wiped my mouth as the car got going. Great first impression, I thought sarcastically. Way to go, Reina.
3
The evening was a blur in the best way possible.
As soon as we made our way to the gallery, my eyes were wide open and curious. I thanked myself in my mind for not wearing the green dress – everyone there was so fashionable and chic. Rowan offered me his hand as we walked in and I hesitated before taking it.
As soon as I did, an electric current ran through my body and I had to look away to hide my sharp intake of breath. It felt so good to be touched by him, even if it was in a platonic way.
For the next few minutes, wonder took over my crush as I was intrigued by the beautiful exhibition. I wandered around the place, inspecting every painting and smiling politely at the visitors. Everyone was so nice, and I’d had a few compliments already. Whereas I would usually shrug them off, today I took them in stride, glowing brighter with every new one.
Sometimes, I felt Rowan’s eyes on me, but as soon as I turned to look at him, he looked away. I felt a burning need for him in my stomach like nothing I’d experienced before when I went out with my classmates. But combined with the high of being out on my own, I was thrilled.
Even the talk with the investors went well, and only took a few minutes. They complimented my appearance and I blushed lightly, taking the compliment. Reassured, the investors went on to see the exhibition and I clutched Rowan’s hand excitedly, forgetting about the crush for a split second.
“That went so well!” I said excitedly and he gave me a small smile.
“I’m not surprised. You’re a born talker,” he winked at me. God, that made my insides churn.
I looked away, blushing for the upteempth time that evening, but he took my hand and I turned back, surprised.
“Want to see something?” he
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