I've just pulled up to Tris' house. I don't know why I'm so nervous right now. I guess I want everything to be perfect tonight. I look down again at the dark blue dress shirt and tie I'm wearing, brushing myself off. It's a little nicer than what I wear to work, but shouldn't be too bad in the July heat. I check my watch, we need to hurry since the reservation is at six and it will take nearly an hour to get across town to the restaurant according to the directions I looked up earlier.
I called Zeke this morning as soon as I dropped Tris off asking for recommendations to take Tris here in Atlanta since I'm unfamiliar. I normally wouldn't resort to calling him, and would have just done the research myself, but I was desperate given my limited time. He started listing off several options, and finally listed one I thought might work. He then started giving me advice on what I did, and didn't need to do, but since his advice has failed horribly for me in the past, I chose to speak with Shauna instead. She said the restaurant was pricey, but extremely romantic. She wished me luck and just told me to keep it simple.
I get out and go up to her door. I didn't buy her flowers because Tris doesn't seem the type, but some part of me panics slightly when I begin to think I might be wrong. I sigh. No time to do anything about it now. I knock on her door and suddenly hear thunderous footsteps coming. Odd, that doesn't sound like Tris at all.
A woman with mocha colored skin, dark hair and eyes, and is just a little taller than Tris answers the door. Before I have the chance to speak, the woman says, "Damn you're hot! Are you Four?"
I don't know how to respond. I've never met anyone like her, and I defiantly don't care for her right now. At all. "Um...yes I am. Who are you and where is Tris?"
I hear Tris say, "I'm right here."
I look up and feel my jaw go slack. The creature that strides toward me is like no beauty I have ever encountered. "Um...I...You..." I've lost the ability to string two words together. I can't even begin to describe her magnificence.
Tris steps up to me, looking into my eyes. Her smile is beyond radiant. "You look very handsome Four," her voice soft.
Four? Then I realize she must not have wanted to reveal my name to whoever her friend is. "Tris, there are no words. You look...stunning..."
She blushes hard, looking down, "Thank you."
She looks over at her friend, "This is Christina by the way. She's been helping me get ready. I apologize, she has no filter." Hmm...may have to come up with a way to thank Christina later for what she did for Tris. Even if I don't care for her.
Christina pipes up, "Hey! I do too have a filter. I was just being truthful." She turns to me, "You are hot. You don't happen to have a brother do you?"
"Sorry. Only child." Not taking my eyes off Tris.
Christina sighs, handing Tris a small purse, "I can't catch a break. Well, have fun you two! I'll lock up Tris. Bye!" Christina practically shoves Tris into my arms, flush to my chest. Tris is wearing some kind of perfume and it's making it very difficult let her go. Especially as I realize one of my hands is touching bare skin on her upper back.
"You really do look amazing Tris." Running my hand over the soft, smooth skin.
"Thank you Tobias. You look very handsome." She reaches up placing her hand on my tie, adjusting it slightly.
"We better go, or we'll lose the reservation." As much as I want to keep my hand where it is, I move it to take her hand in mine. Leading her toward my car.
She looks up as I open her door. Curiosity in her eyes, "Were are we going?"
"You'll see." I smirk.
**********
I pull up to the restaurant, glad that Zeke wasn't wrong on the recommendation. Tris quickly looks at me, eyes wide. "Are you serious?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"But Tobias..." She looks worried.
I cut her off by gently grabbing her hand bringing it to my lips, stopping her objection. "Tris, don't worry. If I couldn't afford it, I wouldn't have brought you here." I look at her one last time, she truly is breath taking. "Come on beautiful, our reservation is in five minutes."
I get out and go around the car to open the door offering her my hand. As she takes it, my eyes can't help but roam over the rest of her body. The dress she wears accents her shape well, and the dress is short enough to show off her toned legs. It's her face that still holds my attention though. We reach the door, Tris beginning to worry her bottom lip, I begin to rub soothing circles on her hand. Clearly she hasn't been to a place like this.
Our table happens to be by the windows revealing the botanical gardens outside, and with the sun getting lower in the sky, it's perfect. Tris is looking around, and finally seems to be relaxing till the waitress comes with the menus. I see her eyes start to scan the right side of the menu, growing larger as they go down. Before she can get to the entrees, I grab the menu from her hands.
"Tobias! What are you doing?"
"You aren't going to order based on price Tris. You are going to order something that you think sounds good."
She huffs out a breathe, "But how am I going to know what's on there?"
I smile, "I guess I'll just have to read it to you then."
**********
"So Tris, have you enjoying yourself so far?" The dinner was incredible. Tris, finally admitting defeat, chose an entrée that she thought sounded appealing. The conversation has been lively and the topics endless. My ability to not lean over and kiss her, however, is fading fast. Her lips seem to be almost magnetic.
"Tobias, this night really has been wonderful. You really didn't have to do this." She smiles.
"Tris, it was my pleasure. You deserve so much more."
She blushes, looking at the remnants of our desert. I look out the window and see that the sun has finally set beyond the horizon. The patio outside is starting to come alive, with a band beginning to play and lights that have been strung around the dance floor and stage coming on.
"Tris, would you like to dance me?"
"Um...I really don't dance Tobias. It's more like sway back and forth awkwardly." She twists her fingers, looking embarrassed.
"That's ok Tris. I can teach you." She still looks hesitant. "Come on Tris. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."
"I don't think you are going to be able to prevent me from looking like a fool though." Blush starting to brighten her cheeks.
"I don't really care what anyone else thinks. All I care about it is that I get to be with you."
This finally seems to persuade her as she finally grabs my hand, and we begin to walk outside. When we reach the dance floor, I pull her to me, guiding her hand so that it rests on my shoulder and the other rests in my other hand. I begin trying to teach her a simple box step, but she misses after about the second rotation, stepping hard on my foot. I try not to let her see that it hurt, but she must see right through me. "I'm sorry." She steps back immediately, dropping her arms, her cheeks brightening.
"Tris, it's ok. Let's keep trying." Holding out my arms.
Three songs in, and I'm pretty sure she has stepped on every one of my toes at least twice. "Tobias, I think we need to consider another activity. Otherwise, I'm going to need to refer you to an orthopedic doctor for your feet."
I chuckle, this isn't quite what I had in mind. I was hoping to dance a little longer. Wanting to still have an innocent reason to stay close to her. "Ok, I think you might have a point." I look around quickly, having never been here before. "There's a path that way. Do you want to see where it leads?"
"Have you not been here before?" She looks confused.
"I haven't had any desire to come here with anyone. You are the first person I have ever wanted to bring here." I pause as I see her blush. "Other than my abysmal teaching skills, are having a good time?"
She smiles, "Tobias, I would have had a good time regardless of where you had taken me. And you aren't a horrible teacher, I've always been a bad dancer."
We begin walking down the small path, hand in hand, looking at the gardens before us. Lights have been strung in the trees, giving a soft twilight as we go. "I think we just need to practice without shoes next time. I think that will greatly improve your steps."
She begins laughing, "Now that you mention it, these heels are killing me. Do you think we could find a place to sit?"
I quickly scan the area and see that there is small bench up ahead. I guide her over and we sit down next to each other. I didn't want her to be in pain. This is not how I expected this to go. Tris holds my hand, sighing contently, leaning her head on my shoulder. Ever since the game yesterday, I've been interested to know what her demand would be. Since no one is around, I figure now is as good a time as any to ask. I gently move so that I can look at her, "So Tris, if you had won the game yesterday, what would you have asked me to do?"
She blushes hard, looking down at our intertwined hands. "I will tell you, but only if you answer me a quick question."
"Depends on the question." I look at her cautiously. What could she possibly want to know?
She still hasn't looked up, and I'm finding it difficult to not pull up on her chin. "Did you win so you could ask me out?" She finally glances up meeting my eyes.
I smile, "Partially. I figured when I was ready and you were ready, I would try. I really didn't mean to do it this morning, but I couldn't wait any longer. I just had to after last night."
She's smiling as I finish. "I'm glad you asked me. Even though I've probably broken your toes, it really has been an incredible evening. Especially with you."
Interesting, I thought I was going downhill there for a minute with this date. Then I realize something, "It wouldn't have been incredible without this beautiful woman sitting next to me, but you're stalling." She blushes and looks down again. I gently touch her cheek, causing her to look up, "Now are you going to tell me your demand or not?"
Tris looks down again, shaking her head. Her face is turning a deeper blush. I can't take not looking at her eyes anymore. I reach over and gently pull her chin so she is looking at me. "Tris, it's ok. I won't laugh. There is nothing to be embarrassed about."
"I know you won't laugh, but I don't know if you would be willing to do it." Her voice is barely above a whisper.
I'm confused now. I would do just about anything for her. "Well what is it?"
Her voice is barely above a whisper, "Kiss me, Tobias."