The Player's Game [Louis T. AU]

Chapter 32

-Louis-

"Chop, chop" I clapped my hands, entering Chelsea's room "lets go, let's go"

"Just wait a second, Lou" she replied, running her straightener through her hair

"You look perfect already. No need to fiddle with your hair some more" I retort, giving her a kiss

"Well that's sweet, but I'm almost finished"

"I'm going to grab a drink. Don't be too long, ok?" I give her arm a light squeeze and walk to the kitchen. I grabbed a coke and popped the lid

"Why are you in such a rush?" My mom asked me, grabbing a drink from the fridge as well

"I want to get to the gardens just when the sun is setting" I reveal "I want the sky to be perfect when we get there"

"You still have a but if time before sunset"

"We are going to dinner first"

"Oh" she replied "well I hope you beat the rain"

"It's supposed to rain?" I groan

"Yeah" she nodded "downpour. You may not want to risk it"

"We leave tomorrow. We have to go today. Chels said she really wanted to see the gardens. She's not afraid of a little rain anyway"

"Ok, I'm ready" Chelsea approached us, slinging her purse over her shoulder

I downed the rest of my coke before tossing into the trash bin

---

We arrived at the Zest Grill and ordered two steak skillets.

At the last minute, I went completely out of my comfort zone. I grabbed Chelsea's hand and said a quick prayer over our meal that had yet to arrive

The smile on her face afterwards said it all.

Our food arrived, dragging a trail of steam along with it. You could hear the sizzle of the skillet as the waiter drew nearer to the table.

It tasted just as good as it smelled. As Chelsea began eating, I noticed her fingernails changed colors from yesterday

"You do your nails?" I ask, pointing my fork to her dainty fingers, then began digging at my food again

"Oh" Chelsea turned her hand so she could see her nails "yeah. I bought the color the other day when I went shopping with Lottie. I'm surprised you noticed"

"Of course I noticed. I notice everything about you, love"

Chelsea let a smirk dance across her face "well aren't you just bring mr. romantic tonight"

I shrugged me shoulders, cracking a smile "I try"

"Not usually" she laughed, wiping the edges of her mouth with a napkin "but I like it when you try. It's cute"

"You're cute" I smirked "remember that time you called me a hero?" I a surprise myself with the question

Chelsea sat back in her chair, her eyes looking above, trying to trigger the memory

"Ohhhh" she slowly began nodding her head "yeah. When you walked me to my car, right?"

"Right. You know, I've never-not even for one second- forgotten those words you spoke"

She cocked her head slightly, trying to understand

"I think that was a defining point in me making the decision that I liked you"