Chapter 20;Dinner and conversation

We walked to a quaint little Italian restaurant just off the main street. The aroma of freshly baked pizza crust and simmering tomato sauce enveloped us as we stepped inside.

Alex held the door open for me, and I smiled as I passed by him. We were seated at a cozy table by the window, and Alex immediately began perusing the menu.

"What's good here?" he asked, looking up at me.

I shrugged. "I've never been here before, but I've heard great things."

Alex nodded and continued studying the menu. I took the opportunity to observe him, noticing the way his eyes crinkled at the corners as he concentrated.

The waiter arrived to take our order, and Alex asked for my recommendations. I suggested the spaghetti Bolognese, and he opted for the same.

As we waited for our food to arrive, the conversation flowed easily. We talked about everything from school to music to our favorite books.

I was struck by how much we had in common. Our senses of humor aligned, and our conversations were effortless.

As the night wore on, I found myself feeling more and more at ease around Alex. It was as if I'd known him for years, not just a few days.

The waiter arrived with our food, and we dug in, savoring the delicious flavors.

As we ate, Alex asked me about my ex. I hesitated at first, unsure of how much to share. But there was something about Alex that put me at ease, and I found myself opening up to him.

He listened attentively, his expression sympathetic. When I finished talking, he reached out and gently squeezed my hand.

"I'm glad you're okay," he said, his voice soft.

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude toward him. "Thanks, Alex. That means a lot coming from you."

As we finished our meal and prepared to leave, I realized that I didn't want the night to end. I was having too much fun, and I felt a connection with Alex that I couldn't ignore.

"Want to take a walk?" Alex asked, as if reading my mind.

I nodded, and we strolled out of the restaurant, into the cool evening air. The stars twinkled above us, and the world felt full of possibilities.

As we walked, Alex turned to me and asked, "So, what do you think of me?"

I smiled, feeling a flutter in my chest. "I think you're amazing," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Alex's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt like I was drowning in their depths.

"I think you're pretty amazing too," he said, his voice low and husky.

And with that, he leaned in and kissed me. ‎