Our eyes meet and my jaw drops.
He puts his hands in his pockets…
And gives me a tight smile.
I make my way over to him slowly.
I feel like I have a tail between my legs.
His eyes are narrow when I come to a stop in front of him.
Shane
Fancy seeing you here.
Lulu
How did you find me?
Shane
Little old lady that lives downstairs.
Marilyn is such a gossip.
Shane
Is there a reason you didn’t want to tell me your family owns a restaurant?
Shane
And not just any restaurant…
Shane
But the best Italian spot in town?
I don’t know how to answer.
So I ask him a question instead.
Lulu
Why did you ask Marilyn about me?
But I see his strong forearms tense.
Shane
You still don’t get it, do you?
His cryptic comment leaves me completely baffled.
He sighs, then nods over my shoulder.
Shane
Is that your mother?
Shane
I’d like to meet her.
Who no doubt has been eavesdropping…
Mom
Shane, welcome to Cucina Maria!
Mom
I’ve heard so much about you!
Shane’s smile is wide as he looks at me.
Shane
Good things, I hope?
The two get to know each other for a bit…
While I stand there awkwardly.
Still wondering at Shane’s comment.
Shane
The thing is, Lulu works every Friday and Saturday.
Shane
Which makes it kind of hard for me.
Shane
Because I want to take her out on a date.
My mom doesn’t share in my confusion.
She just beams at him like he’s the second coming.
Maria
I am always telling Lulu she can take a couple days off.
Maria
How about tomorrow?
I’m still standing there gaping.
Is this some kind of joke?
Lulu
Can you two just hold on a minute?
Lulu
Shane, what are you getting at here?
Lulu
You don’t want to date me.
A weird tension fills the air.
And after giving me a look…
Shane gently grasps my arm and leads me to a quiet corner.
Shane
Lulu, I'm a grown up.
Shane
I think it’s safe to say I know who I do and don’t want to date.
And leave my thoughts unfinished.
He takes a step closer to me…
And the proximity sends a shiver down my spine.
His voice is a low, sexy timbre.
Shane
When I moved in last month…
Shane
The first thing I realized was that there was a beautiful woman living across from me.
Shane
And a luscious body that made my heart race.
I start to feel myself melt.
Shane
Then a few weeks later, I find out…
Shane
I didn’t exactly find that out in the best way…
Shane
But still, it was good news for me.
I’m a puddle at his feet.
Shane
What you need to realize is…
Shane
I’ve been into you from the beginning.
Shane
From the second that I saw you.
Shane
And now that I’ve gotten to know you…
Shane
I like you even more.
Shane
So yeah, I want to take you out on a date.
Shane
Please…will you just put me out of my misery and say yes?
He brings a hand up to my forehead…
Gently wipes the pizza sauce off with one finger…
Then brings it to his mouth.
Shane
Come on, take a chance on me.
I may not understand why he’d ever be attracted to me…
But right now, I’m not telling this man no.
Heck, a couple months ago, I would never have hesitated to say yes.
Screw Chad for bringing me down.
I deserve to be appreciated by a good guy.
So I take a bold step toward Shane.
Lulu
I’d love to go out with you.
I check myself out in the mirror for the 100th time.
I’m wearing what my friends call…
It shapes my curves nicely…
And gives me just the right amount of cleavage.
I haven’t been able to eat all day.
Because my stomach is in absolute chaos.
And it dips again painfully…
I scream silently in the mirror once…
And then make my way to the door.
Looking like an absolute God.
A button down fits him perfectly.
Dark jeans mold to his strong thighs…
And a heart-stopping smile is spread across his face.
There’s no question he could have any girl in the world.
…So what is he doing with me?
And any confidence I had goes along with it.
But luckily, he doesn’t notice.
He is too busy scanning me from head to toe…
His eyes seem to be on fire.
Shane
You look unbelievably beautiful.
Shane
I mean, you always do.
Shane
But that dress is…wow. Seriously amazing.
His words warm me from the inside out.
And I warm even further when his eyes meet mine.
The smoldering gaze he gives me…
Lulu
You don’t look too bad yourself.
And we chat idly as we walk to the car.
But distracted thoughts start racing through my head.
Where is he going to take me for dinner?
Is he going to judge me when I eat?
I need to dig myself out of this hole.
And I can’t stand the suspense any longer.
Lulu
Where are we going tonight?
Shane
To a comedy club my brother recommended.
Shane
Apparently they have great tapas.
Shane
And we get a show at the same time.
Shane
I thought you might enjoy it…
Shane
You know, since you have such a great sense of humor.
No guy has ever noticed how much I like comedy.
To say I’m touched would be an understatement.
Lulu
Shane…that sounds great.
Lulu
I’ve never been to a comedy club around here.
Shane
Because you’re really funny.
Shane
I mean it. I think you’d like them.
And I realize how special Shane really is.
It’s then that I let my guard down…
Because the night is incredible.
The conversation is easy all the way to the club.
The chemistry between us is palpable.
And it sizzles as we sit side by side in a booth.
He finds little ways to touch me…
And I find little ways to make him laugh.
Even though the food is phenomenal…
My mind is on Shane the entire time.
Mostly because he whispers sweet nothings in my ear.
Telling me how sexy I am…
And how much he enjoys my company.
I let myself be me again.
We’re just two people on a date.
Two people falling for each other.
And I don’t think about my weight.
Because Shane makes me forget.
By the time we get back to the car…
We both can’t stop smiling.
Shane
Did you enjoy the show?
A little buzzed, I give him a wide grin.
Lulu
But I enjoyed spending time with you more.
His answering grin is genuine.
And we don’t say much else on the ride home…
Because we just keep stealing glances at each other.
The sweet taste of things unsaid lingers between us.
I know what I want to say.
That what we’re sharing here feels real.
I just want to enjoy him.
We’re giggling as we walk to our apartments.
But my laughter abruptly stops…
When I see a woman standing at his front door.
She’s a tall, leggy blonde.
And she’s undeniably beautiful.
