Chapter 4

We were so lost into each other on the dance floor of the restaurant that I wanted to hide and never be seen again. I looked down away from her gorgeous eyes and she lifted my chin with her pointer finger and thumb with gentle ease as I looked into her eyes again as she brushed her thumb against my lips. I felt that she wanted me in ways that I couldn't imagine. My thoughts couldn't slow down at the thought of her being more than a friend.

"You are so beautiful. I don't want this romantic evening to end. Let's head to my place and watch a movie if you are up for it?" Ashlyn asked.

"I am ready as you are. I need to get out of these boots, they are killing my feet." I complained with a little whimper.

"Mine are too, sweetheart." Ashlyn replied with a small smile.

She let go of me from the slow dance, I followed behind her as she went to pay our bill, and made our way out of the restaurant. She made sure to be ladylike and opened the car door for me, sitting back inside her lovely car, that is when it dawned on me that we are going to her place for the second part of our date to watch a movie. I felt my nerves slowly going into panic mode. I have never made it to going to someone else's place. Then without realizing she grabbed my hand and rubbed my knuckles to smoothly calm me down as she drove down the roads to her place, I tried to distract myself by watching her driving at ease with one hand and smiling back at me when we are at a red light.

"Inside you are panicking, I can see it, and don't worry you will be comfortable with me by the time you are back at home. I live in a small apartment complex but it is very spacious for a single woman living on her own." Ashlyn said.

"I'm not trying to panic but..." I wanted to continue on with what I was trying to say though I had to stop myself because using but is never a good sign when it comes to a first date.

"But you are scared and don't want to ruin this because of us finally becoming friends and maybe more down the road. I get it and it is fine. I am scared my own self but we aren't going to know until we try." Ashlyn replied.

I watched Ashlyn pull the car to the side of the road and park it. We sat in the darkness of her car without looking at one another. I couldn't help feeling guilty for ruining a date that just started but I am not wanting to rush anything between us and let our friendship build. I'm not ready to admit anything either. I am falling for her fast and I want it to stop.

"Would it be such a risk that we go as friends first? I am so scared of losing you for something that I am not even sure will work." I said feeling regret in the pit of my stomach.

"Juliet, this is your choice. We can be friends and can end this evening by taking you home instead. I don't want to force anything between us. We can go out every day as friends for the rest of our lives and I wouldn't mind one bit. This is your decision." Ashlyn replied.

"I think it would be best if we stay friends, not unless something else develops between us. I am so scared of losing you and we aren't an actual item. I still want to finish this evening with a movie and popcorn." I responded wanting to hide my face in shame.

"It is settled, I won't do anything you aren't comfortable with. I can take us being friends." Ashlyn replied, grinning from ear to ear.

With that Ashlyn put the car into drive and we were off to her place. Though I missed her touch, I knew not to push myself when I just friendzoned her because of being afraid of committing to someone I had known for a few hours.

--

Reaching Ashlyn's apartment complex looked huge compared to the coffee shop even though it is only two stories. The bottom being the coffee shop. I didn't know what to think once we got inside and climbed three flights of stairs.

"Sorry it is such a long climb up but it will be worth it." Ashlyn said.

"It is okay. It's good exercise especially when all I do is work that coffee shop to no end." I replied with a smile.

"My place is at the end of this hall. We are almost there." Ashlyn responded.

I couldn't wait to see what Ashlyn's place looked like because this place is massive as it is. Though I would be embarrassed to show her my place it is not big enough for anyone but it is home and that is what matters. We reached her apartment with gold numbers reading C9. She unlocked the door, gently opening it and grabbed my hand as she guided me to her kitchen. She had me sit down on a bar stool.

"You have an island apart of your kitchen. This is amazing. Even my apartment above the coffee shop isn't this fancy." I regretted sounding like I am jealous even though I'm not.

"Juliet, you will have to let me see for myself this is just a comfortable and simplistic apartment, nothing too fancy." Ashlyn replied with a small smirk.

I saw Ashlyn sprint to turn on lights around the apartment before making her way back to the kitchen. I saw the clock on the stove reading 10:30pm and for once I felt misplaced being out so late on a Friday. That this isn't normal for me to attempt to be out with a friend. I wanted to tell Ashlyn that I needed to go home but I couldn't get myself too.

"Would you like a drink while we wait for the popcorn to finish popping in the microwave?" Ashlyn asked, tapping her finger on the counter.

"Got any wine coolers or something that will smooth my nerves?" I asked.

"You don't plan on getting drunk? I still need to take you home." Ashlyn suggested looking nervously.

"No, of course, not. We will stick with water or sweet tea if it makes you feel better." I replied with a slight smile.

I watched her grab some ice water for both of us. We went to her living room with our drinks and a full bowl of popcorn. We decided on some rom-com movie from Hallmark though I felt uncomfortable watching the male and female relationship on the screen but I did it for Ashlyn.