Chapter 3

Chapter Three

September

Tonight was wonderful. I have never had so much fun or felt so seen. Trevor was attentive, open, talkative, and genuinely interested in what I had to say. We spent that day in the art district, going from booth to booth and store to store, taking in the different ways people express themselves. I found so much inspiration, and being there made me feel better about my own work.

At one point, we went into this artisan jewelry store where the designer was a nice woman who found her inspiration from nature. She used sustainable materials, wood, and repurposed plastic, and she even has some made out of paper, but hardened and colored and then cut out in shapes and such. It was all so beautiful, and you could see the passion in her work.

Walking through her gallery, I found myself in awe. She and I chatted, and Trevor simply gave me the space to talk without trying to take over or be the center of attention—so different from what I am used to. She pulled a few pieces from the case and let me try them on. I felt beautiful in her pieces, but I didn’t bring money with me. I fully intended to come back and purchase a ton of stuff.

I excused myself to go to the ladies' room, and when I came back out, Trevor asked if I was ready to go. I told him yes, said goodnight to Adora, the shop owner, and walked out with him. That was our last stop before he dropped me off at the dorm.

Pulling up, I could tell neither of us wanted the night to end, but it had to. I turned to him, thanked him for such an awesome day, and leaned over to kiss my cheek, only for him to turn his head toward me. When our lips touched, my body lit up like the Fourth of July, and I felt myself gasp. His hand came to my face swiftly, but I felt it.

I was the first to pull back. With my hand on my mouth, I felt my face heat up, and I kept my head down. “Red, look at me.” Geez. His voice is gentle, but there is an edge to it that makes me want to do what he says.

Looking up, I saw he had a box in his hand. “What’s that?” I asked, curious because I hadn’t seen it before during our outing.

“This is a gift for you.” Shocked, my mouth drops open.

“For me?” he nods and hands it to me. With shaky hands, I open it and squeal when I see he bought the entire set I tried on in Adora’s store. “Oh my gosh, Trevor. Thank you so much.” Leaning over the seat, I hug him and kiss his cheek. I hear a rumble in his throat and pull back. “Is everything alright?” I ask him, not sure what is going on.

“I’m fine, Red. I would like to take you on a proper date.” Oh my gosh. I want to jump up and down right now. I am so happy, but instead, I play it calm.

“I would love to.” Licking my lips, I feel so lost on what to do next. His eyes heat up and then he switches up real quick.

“You should get inside.” His voice sounded funny, but I got out of the car and looked at him one last time before walking into the building.

Now, I am sitting in my room talking to my roommate Karen about him without revealing who he is. “He’s older than me, but man, is he gorgeous.” I tell her with a dreamy look on my face.

“Ooo. I love older men. Tell me, are we talking about Cristian Grey older or Sean Connery older?” Scrunching my face at both options, I stick my tongue out in dislike.

“Eww. Neither. He is Wolfgang Novagranitz older.” She rolls her eyes.

“Well, that’s not exciting at all.” She turns around clearly done with the conversation since I didn’t fulfill her fantasy I guess, and I am okay with that. I would rather hold on to this day anyway and not turn it into something sordid, even though that kiss put all sorts of naughty thoughts in my mind.

I am literally vibrating. My body is buzzing, thinking about our date tonight. Yesterday, when I was thinking about it while I was getting ready for bed, I was excited but so nervous. I think nervous is the wrong word. Trepidatious. Either way, when I woke up this morning, the wiggles in my belly were still there, but so were the butterflies.

It’s funny because ordinarily, I spend at least an hour trying to figure out what to wear, going from outfit to outfit, and that is only for class, but tonight, it’s like everything was speaking to me. I bought this flowy, flowery, hippie-type dress right before I left for college. I was intending on wearing it to graduation, but my mom had my outfit flown in from Paris, and I figured I might as well give them this one last thing.

Now, I am so happy I didn’t wear it then, and my first time having it on is for him. Pairing it with a pair of nude wedges, I take the time to braid my hair, entwining strings of flower hair accessories in the braid. I braid it down over my shoulder, so it looks like Rapunzel's hair from Tangled. Yeah, sue me; I still watch Disney movies.

Dressed, I take a look at myself and start putting on makeup before I think better of it. “No. He either likes you as you are, or he doesn’t.” The pep talk sort of works before the real bouncing starts. I grab my satchel and stand by the door, bouncing on my toes, trying to calm myself. For once, I am glad my roommate is not here. I don’t need her critical voice telling me I am not enough right now. My mind begins to wander on the many things I have done differently when getting ready, but then the knock comes. Knock. Knock. “Oh God,” I whisper, putting my hand on my stomach, which now doesn’t feel so good.

“September, are you going to open the door for me?” I briefly throw my hand over my mouth, like if I don’t say anything, he will go away, but then I pull it down. What am I doing? I have wanted this since classes started, and now I’m being a big chicken.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door and look at him for a second before words and oxygen abandon me. He is seriously hot. My head falls forward because I hate how red I know my face is turning. I close my eyes for a second, trying to find a little more bravery, but it is long enough for both of his hands to touch my face and raise it.

“Trevor,” I whisper his name because his hands on my skin feel like being home. His eyes are so kind; right now, they are looking at me like I am his everything.

“You look like a Disney Princess, babe. You look stunning.” Biting my lip, I duck my head again, but he still holds it. I watch rapt with fascination while his head moves closer to mine. I realize his intention right as his lips touch mine. It's soft and seeking. Nothing like I thought it would, which makes it better.

I close my eyes, soaking up his touch and warmth, waiting for him to try to take it further, but when it remains soft and chaste, I wrap my arms around his neck and fall into him. He does not attempt to maul me or force me to kiss him as I have read in books. No, this one is a promise of something different. Something real, and I, for one, am here for it.