The bill, please!

Their dinner date had been warm and enjoyable after Ashton arrived, full of light conversation and tender moments, gazing into each other’s eyes in the pauses between their talking. A few chaste kisses, at most. But as the date reached closer to its end, Hannah found herself increasingly impatient and eager, looking forward to bringing him back to her place and…

Well, it was a mystery, wasn’t it? There was a hint of nervousness too, what if it went wrong? But she banished these thoughts and waited patiently. And tried her best to enjoy her date, without seeming too eager.

And at last Ashton glanced at his phone and his eyebrows went up. “Oh, we’ve been here for two hours already!” He looked around the bar, and then smiled awkwardly. “Place is still quite full so, I didn’t realize…”

“This place is open until 2 am,” she commented with a shrug. “Some people like drinking until late at night.” She had done it too, sometimes, but she didn’t feel the need to add that.

“Hmm, I don’t go to bars much…” He looked around again, and she got the sensation that he was stalling, biding his time until they both left. Of course… He was probably nervous too.

She reached her hand out and touched his shoulder, reassuring him. “Hey, if you’re worried about… Later tonight -”

He grabbed her hand and brought it to his cheek, feeling her warmth against his skin before giving the hand a kiss. “I’m still good for it.” He said. They exchanged a smile before he let go of her hand and waved at one of the waiters.

“Hello? Yeah, we’re ready for the bill, please!”

They were now walking home, and their conversation was growing quieter, more intimate. They walked side by side, breaking the silence with little comments or questions and she had her arm around his waist. She felt her expectation rise with every step, until at last they were both in front of her apartment. There was a brief pause, Ashton smiling at her.

“So… Coffee?” She asked, a joking tone to her voice.

“Last time I was… Caught by surprise. Sorry if it sounded like I was brushing you off.” He said while looking down. He then raised his head and smiled while adding, “and thanks for being patient with me? And taking things slow.”

“Of course!” She replied, giving his waist a small squeeze. “But tonight…?”

“Yes. Tonight, there will be… Coffee.”

They shared a laugh together as they entered her building’s lobby.