Dressed in my planned outfit, I made sure my car was clean and made the extremely short drive to Kate's house. You couldn't even really call it a drive, I bet I could just put the car in neutral and roll there. Anyway, I pulled up Kate's driveway and sent her a text letting her know I was here.
Soon after, the front door opened, her mouth moved as she seemingly said goodbye to her mom. She closed the door behind her and strutted toward the car; I was almost too lost in her appearance to enact my plan.
The dress outlined her figure, it was like seeing an entirely different girl…
I quickly got out of the car and ran around to the passenger side door, opening it. "Hey Kate, you look beautiful." The compliment escaped me causing Kate's cheeks to redden.
"Thank you." She answered. It was then I realized her makeup, she rarely wore makeup, I had no complaints though, she looked beautiful with and without makeup. As she approached, I smiled, looking her up and down. I tried focusing my eyes on her face, but I couldn't control myself.
It was then that the finishing blow was dealt, her smell. My senses were experiencing new sensations all at once, her perfume wasn't overpowering in the slightest. Just right for an alluring woman like herself. She set her purse in the car first and then carefully sat down inside.
Shutting at the door I was given a second to regroup myself before I got back in the driver's seat. Phase one of the plans complete: Open the door for her. It was best to show her my kindness, even though she has known me for the past ten plus years.
I got inside and was instantly met with her perfume, another compliment fell from my lips, "You smell, really good." Again, she never wore perfume or wore makeup, this had to be a good sign, she only ever did these things around me, that can only mean good.
"Thank you, I thought it might have been too much, but I am glad you like it." Her speech was sadly more formal, like it had been this past week. Though, she had a seemingly genuine smile on her face, at least for now.
"You want to play something?" I asked holding up the aux, we shared some music taste, but her main genres were folk and K-Pop. While mine was American Rap and J-Rock. Quite different to trained ears.
"Sure." She nodded and took the chord as I backed out of her driveway. I always drove safely, but with Kate in the car, mirrors were checked and speed was limited.
Kate turned on a song I heard before, it was a pretty popular Korean Pop song. The car felt static, like the only sound allowed was the music coming from the speakers, why was it so awkward? I thought as I drove, after complimenting her, it seemed the perfume took my thoughts away.
"What are you going to get here?" I fell back on the events of today as talking points. I was sure she looked at the menu before we went.
"There is some really good sounding pasta I wanted to try." She said, we were thankfully able to fill the short drive with small talk, by the time we arrived, I had recouped myself from her earlier assault on my senses.
Kate got out of the car, as I rushed up to the front door of the restaurant and held it open. Kate was an independent girl and anytime someone offered her assistance, she would either decline or reluctantly accept it.
"Thanks…" She said with a sigh, I couldn't help but giggle as I followed her inside. She seemed to be getting back to her usual self, though there was still a clear twinge of something, discomfort?
"Graham for two." I told the receptionist; she guided us through the restaurant and set us at a small booth in the corner.
"Your server will be with you soon." She said, tilting her head down and setting two menus and a basket of bread on the table before rushing back to the front. The restaurant was lively, most tables were full, and a few cars were pulling up as we walked inside.
I turned my attention to the menu and started to speak, "Do you want an appetizer?" I asked but got a muffled response. Kate, without me even seeing, had already buttered a piece of bread and had taken a bite. She held up a finger signaling for me to wait, the display before me made it impossible to hide my smile.
I didn't know what I was worried about, tonight would be great. "You are really cute Kate." Once I finished, her face reddened, and she choked down the rest of the roll.
"You are so…" She started before shaking her head, "Anyway, no I don't want an appetizer, the bread should be enough." She said. I had doubts that she actually wanted one but didn't argue.
We ordered our food and now it was just us, like many times before. It should not be as awkward as this, but the pretense of this being a date was effecting both of us.
"Are you excited for the movie?" I asked, as I buttered my own piece of bread.
"I am, thank you for choosing that one." We decided on seeing an action romcom that Kate has been talking about, we needed a movie to watch, and she's been talking about that one, so we killed two birds with one stone.
"Of course…" I didn't know what else to say, so I just blabbered on, "Happy Valentines Kate, thank you for coming with me tonight." I studied her reaction, trying to see how she reacted to this.
A genuine smile that I hadn't seen in a week came onto her face then quickly disappeared. "Thank you for inviting me…" She wanted to say more, though she closed her mouth and grabbed another piece of bread.
Before the night was over I would know why she was acting like this, I told myself.