The car's music was playing on low. We were on our way to the restaurant for dinner. Ava had been quieter than expected since we got in the car. There wasn't much traffic so I was able to take short glances at her as I drove. She was staring intently out the window. I was starting to worry because she didn't look comfortable, or happy.
"Ava, is something on your mind?" I asked to end the silence. She pulled herself away from the window to look at me. She gave me a half-hearted smile and told me there was nothing. I was not convinced. At first, I thought it would be best to leave it at that. But, I quickly rethought this and decided that figuring out what was wrong was more important that being on time for a dinner reservation. I pulled the car over to the side of the road and parked. Ava gave me a confused look.
"Why are we stopping? I thought we were going to dinner?"
"We will, if you tell me what is bothering you."
"Aiden, really it's nothing. Just ignore it and let's go."
"If there is nothing bothering you, why do I have to ignore it?"
"It's stupid alright, you don't have to worry."
"Fine, if you are going to be that way. I'll just go back home. I'm sure you'll be more inclined to tell me after you've been punished for spoiling my night."
"No, no! I'm sorry. Don't go back home. I'll tell you, but it's not important."
"Everything about you is important to me. I don't want you to keep things from me."
"Yes sir, I won't hide anything. I was worried about going to dinner. Everything that has happened scares me." Her words tore into my heart. I dreaded that she was changing her mind.
"I'm sorry I scared you, Ava. We can still go to dinner if you want. After I'll drop you off home. I understand if you want to stop."
"That is what I am afraid of. I don't want this to stop. Tomorrow night I already know I'm barely going to be able to pry myself away from you. I'm scared that this will only be for this weekend. I don't want to go back to being alone. I've been so happy with being under your control." Ava started to cry her emotions overwhelming her. I reacted quickly taking off her seatbelt and pulling her into my lap. She dug herself into my chest to cry.
It took a while for her to stop crying. She pulled herself away from my chest and wiped away her tears with the tissue I gave her. I sat with her for a few minutes so she could collect herself. I rubbed soothing circles on her back. I wiped a few tears away from her rosy cheeks and asked if she was OK. She nodded her head and gave me a more convincing, light, smile.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know I would explode like that."
"Baby, listen to me. I know this is happening fast. We both have a lot to think about. We have to share those things we each other, always. I am here for you, and I want you to be there for me. Now, what I want is to go have dinner with my beautiful sister."
"Let's go then. But, after..." she bit her bottom lip provocatively to allude to what she wanted. I laughed and tapped her bottom as she climbed back into her seat.
I chose a restaurant outside of town that was not a place we would find anyone that we typically ran into. I had no fears taking her hand when we got out of the car. Ava seemed pleased by this outward showing of affection.
The evening went by smoothly with the waitstaff being attentive and quick, and the food delicious. Ava ate delicately while stealing glances at me. I found it cute how she was trying to be discreet. She was too adorable for words. Ava took another quick glance up and this time our eye connected. Her food suddenly became much more interesting as she immediately looked down at it. I chuckled and continued eating my own food. Teasing her was too much fun.
We finished our food; the waitress took our plates and I ordered us some dessert. Ava was fidgeting in her chair. I was more relaxed. It was clear that she was uncomfortable in her surroundings. Watching her so uneasy actually made me hotter for her. I liked the notion that I held the power to make her more at ease. I reached for her hand across the table. She took it with a blush making her cheeks rosy.
"You look beautiful darling." I told her rubbing my thumb along the back of her hand. A smile spread across her cheeks at my compliment. It was blinding with the joy she exuded. A slow tempo song started to ease out of the speakers in the room. Everything fell away leaving just the two of us.
"Aiden, I don't want this night to end."