The Swiss Escape

Kisses

The moment I put her into bed, she fell asleep. I quickly went back to get the bags; when I opened the door, I saw Alex standing there holding everything. “I was about to knock.” He said with a smile.

“Sorry, I got her to bed and was going to rush down to get everything.” I didn’t make eye contact with him.

Alex’s free hand came around to the back of my neck, and his lips pressed against mine. The kiss was different than anything I have ever experienced. It was sudden and surprising, but perfect. My lips quickly molded to his. After a moment, he pulled his lips away from mine, then whispered, “All I could think about tonight was how badly I wanted to kiss you.” Alex handed me then bags, “Goodnight, Kamryn.”

I watched Alex head back down the stairs, he looked back at me, and I saw him smiling.

Going back inside, I put the items I bought away, then I sat down and replayed the night. Did Alex enjoy tonight? Was it a date? What made him come back, he couldn’t see me leave the bags behind? And that kiss, what does it mean?

I went to bed with the questions circulating in my mind.

Alex POV

Tonight, I was taking Kamryn out. I invited her to experience a tradition in Zurich. It was something she can bring her daughter too. I laughed when I thought about Kamryn’s reaction to Schmutzli. She looked shocked, I guess to an outsider it would seem strange.

I am nervous about tonight. It’s been a while since I was out on a date. Since helping Kamryn with the tree yesterday, she is on my mind. Mila called me yesterday to tell me to go to a tree farm. When I asked her why she told me, Kamryn would be there. I knew what she was doing. That woman has tried to set Kamryn and I up for a few weeks.

I arrived at Kamryn’s place a little before five. I waited to knock until right at five. When Kamryn opened the door, she took my breath. The shirt showed her figure as she put on her coat. Kayla was already ready. “Are you both ready?”

Great, the date just began, and I have already messed up, Kamryn looked nice, and instead of complimenting her, I rushed them. We walked to a restaurant near here building. The place has good food, and I wanted to share Swiss with them tonight.

We got to the restaurant, and I order our meals. It was after I ordered that I realized I should have explained the dishes better. Well, this is my second mistake of the night.

We took the tram to the other side of the city near the river. As we walked into the market, I debated if I should hold her hand. We came to the candle making stand. I asked if she wanted Kayla to make one. She agreed, and I watched her in fascination. Kamryn’s eyes have wondered all over since we got to the market. After the candle, I got us drinks. Kids typically drink punch while the adults drink a mulled wine. I handed Kamryn her glass and laughed at her reaction. Mulled wine isn’t a tradition where she is from, so I should have warned her it won’t be like a typical wine.

We walked around until we found the area for kids to take pictures with Santa. I could tell Kamryn feared Schmutzli. “It’s so ominous. Does he just stalk around like that?”

I laughed at her reaction. “Schmutzli is supposed to give children a reason to behave.” I looked at Kamryn and in a joking tone, “are you afraid of him?”

“A little, he looks like someone who would kidnap you and take you into the woods.”

“Don’t worry; he only does that if you’re naughty.” Kamryn bit her lower lip. I leaned closer to her so no one would overhear, “is there a reason I shouldn’t let you close to him?”

She pulled away. Maybe I read too much into her earlier expression. Kamryn took Kayla and carefully avoided Schmutzli. After the picture, we walked a bit more. I realized Kayla was rubbing her eyes. Checking the time, I noticed it was after nine. “We should probably head back.” Kamryn was soft-spoken to like she was trying not to upset me.

“Yeah, it’s getting late.”

When we made it back to Kamryn’s building, I was upset with myself. Kamryn invited me in, but I told her no. It was a terrible date. Never during this evening did I complimented her, I didn’t let her choose her food, and I made her uncomfortable. Even if I asked for a second date, she wouldn’t accept it.

I turned and left. It wasn’t long before I decided to turn around. Maybe it wasn’t the best first date, but I couldn’t leave things the way I did. The whole night I acted like a jerk. I need to apologize and find out if she would be willing to give me another chance.

When I walked into the building, I saw Kamryn’s bags. I grabbed her bags and took them upstairs. Just as I was about to knock, Kamryn opened the door; the moment she saw me, she smiled and looked relieved. “I was about to knock.” I smiled back at her.

“Sorry, I got her to bed and was going to rush down to get everything.” Kamryn didn’t make eye contact with me, and her cheeks had a slight blush.

Without really thinking, I kissed her, and to my surprise, she kissed me back. When I pulled away, I handed her the bags. Maybe the date wasn’t a told disaster. “Goodnight, Kamryn.” I turned away, unable to keep the smile off my face. I looked back at her once she was looking at me.

I text Kamryn the next day, asking if she would like to move up her German lesson to tonight. She agreed and even invited me to dinner.

I quickly got ready to head to her flat. I stopped by the market on the way and picked up a bottle of wine and flowers.

Walking up the stairs, I felt nervous again. I wondered where we stood with each other. I should have waited to kiss her, but Kamryn agreed to see me tonight, so that must mean something. When I thought about the kiss, my lips tingled. Her lips were soft and warm.

I knocked on the door, and she answered. “Hi, come in.”

Handing her the flowers and bottle of wine, “I don’t know if you like flowers, but I got you these.”

“Thank you; they are beautiful.” Kamryn took them, a massive smile on her face. Leaning in, she smelled them, “They smell amazing, do you know what kind they are?”

“I don’t. I just thought they looked nice” I should have asked what the flowers were. Instead, I just bought the ones that appealed to me the most.

“They do, that is why I asked. I might have a new favorite flower now.” I watched as Kamryn cut each stem before putting them in a vase. She placed the flowers at the center of the table. Turning to me, “I forgot to ask, you don’t have any food allergies, do you?” I shook my head. “Good. I made eggplant lasagna. I hope that’s okay.”

I didn’t like eggplant; it’s bitter. But to impress Kamry and be polite, I told her it sounded great. She began setting the table. “Can I help you with anything?”

“No, I just have to put everything on the table.” Kamryn finished setting the table, and we all sat. Despite not wanting to eat the eggplant, it smelled amazing.

Kamryn served both Kayla and me. I was putting on a smile as I took a bite. “This is delicious.” I was shocked at how good it was.

“Thank you.” Kamryn smiled at me and quickly looked down. I could see the blush forming on her cheeks. It’s cute when she’s embarrassed.

After dinner, she let Kayla play while we did the dishes. “You don’t have to do the dishes with me. You are the guest, after all.”

I dried the dishes after she washed them. “I don’t mind. It makes me feel useful.”

After the last dish, she put Kayla to bed and came back into the main room. “Would you like a glass of wine?”

“Sure, that would be nice.” I sat on the couch. Kamryn brought the bottle and two glasses over to where I am sitting. She poured me a glass, “Thank you.” I took a sip of the wine. “I have to confess something to you.” She looked at me, curiously. “Up until tonight, I have hated eggplant.” Kamryn’s eyes looked worried. “But the meal you made was truly amazing. It was the first time I have ever enjoyed eggplant.”

“I should have asked if you had allergies or foods you didn’t like. Sorry.” She looked away.

I put my hand on her leg. Kamryn’s eyes met mine, and for a moment, I lost all nerve. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Thank you for inviting me to dinner. It’s been a while since anyone has cooked for me.” I pulled away from Kamryn; it seems like every time she looks at me, I forget how to speak. “We should start the lesson before we have too much wine.” I smiled at her, so she knew I was teasing.