CHAPTER 32

April panicked, she was now all dressed up and on her way to a date with Dean. He was the Cities most eligible bachelor and she knew any woman would literally kill to be in position. But as a girl who was now living her life for the second time and she had never been on a date before she had already decided that she didn't intend on going on one... Ever.

The thought of falling again and tasting bitter betrayal filled her heart with dread, "Let's go back then."

Dean glanced in April's direction and had noticed the worry written all over her face, did she not know that he could be trusted. He would never let her down or hurt her, he would rather carve out his own heart than see her in pain.

With a smile, he responded, "Sure, what's one more meal together? We are out now anyway... You have got to eat anyway so we may as well eat together?"

April knew he was right, she had cooked for him and had had a few meals together so far anyway. She thought it over for a moment, even if she did go home she realized that this shameless man would probably talk her into inviting him in and cooking for him again regardless. She bit her lip, "Okay, sure. If we go home now I'll only end up cooking for us anyway."

Deans smile grew, "If you would rather cook for me I don't mind chilling at yours tonight." There was a hint of teasing in his words.

"No no no, wherever you picked is fine." April cheeks heated up, she did not want this man anywhere near her condo, he was causing chaos in her heart and now corrupting her mind too. She gave up and looked out of the window, concluding that this man was pure temptation.

It wasn't a long drive before Dean pulled up at The Ivy. He parked himself as the thought of the valet eyeing up April and stealing his job of helping her out of thr car just wouldn't do. He turned off the car engine and looked at how adorable April was as she pretended that the scenery was the most interesting thing in the world. He took off his seat belt and got out quickly to get her door for her.

Reaching her door he opened it and put his hand out to help her out, he grinned and decided to tease her a bit more, "Let's go beautiful."

As expected April rolled her eyes at his flattery and took his hand as she got out of the car.

Dean was sure his hand would be ignored as usual, but she surprised him. His heart leapt at her small action, they fit perfectly together. He intertwined their hands and lead her into the restaurant with a genuine smile on his face.

April didn't notice that she still was holding on to Deans hand instead she was too busy fighting her nerves and holding his hand had helped to calm them.

She took in their surroundings as Dean walked them inside the restaurant. She noticed how everyone's eyes followed Dean once they were inside. She moved slightly behind him but he didnt let her hide, he pulled her to his side.

"Smile... Your smile could light up the night sky with its beauty." Dean whispered in her ear.

She felt his warm breath near her ear and heard his gentle whisper both did unspeakable things to her. But his words had made her laugh. Where did he get these pickup lines? Did the City know the number one hottest bachelor was actually this cheesy?

The building and decor were charming and rustic, with elegant modern touches. You could relax by the cosy log burner in the corner, which April thought would be perfect for winter evenings. Dean then lead her to a private room that had a stunning view for them to enjoy. It overlooked an open pretty courtyard filled with flowers and twinkling lights in the trees.

Dean didn't want to let go of her hand, but he resolved his heart hoping that now she had done it once he would be able to do it again. He let go and pulled out a chair for her, she sat and continued to glance outside. He was happy she appreciated the view. He had spent hours researching where to bring her as this date was too meaningful to mess up. He then took off his leather jacket and sat down facing her.

April smiled and turned her head to see Dean just gazing at her, she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear and glanced at the menu, "So do you know what's good to eat here?"

'You' was the thought that ran through Deans head but he didnt utter it aloud. Instead, he cleared his throat, "It is all homemade, there's some delicious Italian dishes, seafood, steaks, and pasta. So order whatever you like?"

April glanced at the menu, she wasn't fussy and doubted she could eat with her nerves, "You pick for me." She then put down the menu and looked anywhere except at the man sitting opposite her.

Dean nodded and when the waiter arrived he ordered drinks and food for the both of them.

He wanted to know more about her, her likes, her thoughts, her dreams and wishes but he was at a loss. Not one for dating himself he had very little knowledge to rely on. April was nervous so he had to break the ice.

"What's your favourite colour and why?" Dean asked.

April looked at Dean and smiled at the question, realizing what he was doing and she knew they couldn't sit in silence all night, "Black is my favourite colour... Do you know what giving someone a black rose means? Black roses are known to represent optimism and hope. Basically telling them you believe in them. Many people think that giving a black rose would represent the opposite."

April looked up and felt shy, Dean eyes seemed to see right through her, "Sorry I rambled at the end."

Dean shook his head, "Don't be sorry. You apologise too much. Just be yourself with me, I want to get to know you that's why I asked you the question to start with."

April felt lost in his blinding honesty, was he real? She couldn't believe a soul like his existed. But here he was genuinely asking about her. She simply replied with a natural smile.

The food arrived and they continued to ask each other questions, mostly they were silly or light topics. Dean got to see her smile and laugh, they had good banter together so the conversation flowed. He saw how easy it was to be around her, she was the light he needed, her heart was genuine and grounded.

After the meal had ended April was smiling and happily glancing out at the scenery, she stood up wanting to see the night sky clearly. Walking to the balcony, she leaned against the cold railings and felt a chill in the air, it was peaceful.

Dean stood up and joined her to look out over the balcony, he did not need to stare at stars when the brightest and most stunning light to him was her. "I find something new about you every day." He remarked as he took off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders, he saw her slight blush as she thanked him.

April smiled, "I am a contradiction of rainbows and black hearts, a little sweet and a little feisty." She smiled as she stared out towards the twinkling night sky, she long ago stopped believing in love and fairy tales after experience had taught her many harsh life lessons. Maybe happily ever after wasn't meant for her.

"But complex people are the ones who hide the most beautiful secrets," He stared lovingly at her side profile.

She blushed and replied again still not convinced, "Yes but I am a contradiction to my exterior, I push everyone away but in my heart I'm waiting for the one. I would prefer not to fall again when I know all that awaits is a painful heartbreak. To trust someone's words when they, or if they do whisper forever to me." For April in her past life, she had failed to realise the reason for her happiness one day would be the reason for her pain the next. The fire that filled her heart and soul with warmth had turned everything into ash.

Dean sighed, Why was she so hard on herself? "I'd say your inner and exterior are battling each other, wanting love but not accepting it. One day love will come in the form of somebody who wants to give more than take and you will feel the true form of love. I promise it will happen for you."

April scrunched up her eyebrows, "I should thank the one who made me this way, I have loved and learnt never to do so again. But I must say your outlook on life and love is pretty awesome, I can almost believe in your words."

Dean beamed at the compliment he wanted to be her hope, "Everyone has their own beauty we just need the eyes to see it."

"What's your weakness?" April asked, she couldn't look at Dean as she focused on the stars, his honey brown eyes would only steal her heart.

"What's yours?" He asked wanting to know more about her than himself.

April knew he was dodging the question but ignored that and chose to answer. "I am sensitive though I don't show it, the smallest thing hurts me."

"So what's your strength?" Dean wanted to know all sides of her mind and heart and know she has opened up he wanted more.

She smiled up at the stars, "Little things make me happy."

"You have a great outlook yourself, angel." The wind blew and Dean held his hand back from moving a stray hair that fell across her face, he wanted to see her beautiful face. April fell into her own thoughts and Dean saw this, he gave her the time to think.

"People change too, one minute they promise you everything and you are everything to them and the next you are just… nothing. The hardest thing is going from everything to nothing." April spoke from her heart, she never opened up yet here she was baring her hurt soul. Dean seemed so easy to open up to like she could bare her soul and see no judgement.

"Yes people do change, even I am no exception. But there is a difference in change and growth, my way of thinking may change, my mindset or personality may change due to life lessons, even my character and attitude may change as well. But I promise you there is something that never changes and that's my heart." Aprils head snapped in Dean's direction and her cheeks flushed she felt like that was a confession but did not let herself believe it.

Dean continued, "When u have occupied someone's heart completely it is impossible to forget, the heart remembers the emotions it felt from the first 'Hi, how are you doing?"

"Yes but isn't the saddest thing we all end up learning is that you will have a last day with everyone you meet?" April's heart felt a bit in chaos he was swaying her heart to believe again and her mind tried to clear it.

"Yes we all have a last day with someone but if they are special enough you won't let them go." Dean wouldn't give up, he felt this was the closest he has ever been to April. She should have love and hope and he would be there as she learnt to let him in.

"The way you see love is magic in its truest form." She giggled lightly in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Dean laughed, he didn't need or believe in love till he saw her. Deciding it was time he opened up in an indirect way to test the waters he spoke from his heart, "I want a soft kind of love. A best friend kind of love. A "good morning babe, I will make you coffee and meet you in the shower" kind of love. I want a lazy Sundays spent in bed and groggy Mondays getting ready for work side by side. I want the kind of love that makes you question if you ever actually felt love before. I want a slow and steady and I want jumping headfirst into anything as long as we are together. The kind of love that feels like home and a great adventure. I want that love."

April listened to his words they were idealistic, poetic, philosophical and hard to believe. She had hope in her heart but her rational mind couldn't help but fall deeper for this man in front of her, he seemed so passionate and genuine. Before she could stop herself she asked in a whisper, "Do you believe in love?"

She looked down hoping that he didnt hear her, that they were lost in the gentle wind and night sky.

Dean's heart warmed and he smiled at his angel, "I do… because I believe in you." He didn't feel the need to hold back. He had started to open up and so had she, they could heal each other.

April glanced up and saw his adoring smile and forgot that her heart was ever broken. She hadn't meant to ask him that question and had never expected this night to go this way. It felt like she was falling and she didn't like the feeling, but as she listened to his words and looked into his eyes she thought… why not? Just one more time… He surely wouldn't break her into pieces.

She felt Dean was the kind of person that comes into your life and make you see the sun where you once saw clouds. The kind of person that was genuine and believed in you her much, that she may even start to believe in herself too. He gave her confidence and she couldn't help the blush on her cheeks or the smile that formed on her face when she heard him speak.

But every time she was picked and thought she would be loved, only to be left, she had put up a wall around her heart. She had felt love before but wasted them on.

The difference was he lost someone who would give him the world just to see him happy whereas she lost was herself. Some people are brought into your life to teach you, self love, James was one of those people. James had left her in pieces and completely shattered with his betrayal with her sister. She had a guard up because of the pain but her heart fought against it, she always believed in people and love.

But she was a different person now, this rebirth had given her many opportunities. Would Dean be someone that would love her, just for her?