The Life we never Planned

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

ANGELA

The evening had gone better than I expected.

Actually, it had gone so well that I had stopped checking the time.

Damian had picked me up after work, and somehow dinner had turned into a long conversation about everything except work.

We talked about movies.

Books.

Places we wanted to visit.

People we couldn't stand.

At one point, I laughed so hard at something he said that I had to put my glass down.

He looked at me for a few seconds afterward.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're staring."

"I know."

I shook my head, smiling.

"You're strange."

"I've been called worse."

The rest of the evening passed just as easily.

By the time we arrived outside my apartment, I realized I didn't want the night to end yet.

Damian stopped the car.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

I reached for the door handle.

"Thank you for tonight."

"You enjoyed yourself?"

"I did."

"Good."

I opened the door and stepped out.

I was about to close it when his voice stopped me.

"Angela."

I looked back at him.

He was still sitting behind the wheel.

"What?"

He hesitated.

It was strange.

Damian didn't usually hesitate.

He was the kind of man who made decisions quickly. The kind of man who could walk into a room and make everyone else wait for him to speak.

But now he simply looked at me.

"I want to ask you something."

I rested my hand on the door.

"Okay."

He took a breath.

"Don't answer now."

I frowned slightly.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you to feel pressured to give me an answer just because I'm asking you while you're standing beside my car."

I stared at him.

He looked almost uncomfortable.

Almost.

"Then what do you want to ask?"

He looked away for a second before looking back at me.

"I want us to be more than friends."

My heart gave a small, unexpected beat.

I said nothing.

He continued.

"I've enjoyed this past month with you. More than I expected to."

I lowered my eyes.

He wasn't smiling now.

"I like having you around, Angela. I like talking to you. I like taking you out. And I don't want to pretend that what I feel is only friendship."

I swallowed.

Damian's voice softened.

"I'm asking you to be my girlfriend."

The words hung between us.

For once, I didn't know what to say.

Not because I was angry.

Not because I was uncomfortable.

I simply hadn't expected him to say it tonight.

He watched my face carefully.

Then he shook his head slightly.

"Don't."

I looked at him.

"Don't what?"

"Don't give me an answer."

"But you just asked me."

"I know."

A small smile touched his lips.

"Think about it."

I remained quiet.

"I don't want you to say yes because you feel bad saying no."

"I wouldn't."

"I know."

His eyes stayed on mine.

"But I still want you to think about it."

I nodded slowly.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"I'll think about it."

He smiled.

"Good."

I finally closed the car door.

As I walked toward my building, I could feel his eyes following me.

I didn't turn around.

But I smiled anyway.

Because the truth was, I already knew there was something between us.

I just wasn't sure yet what I was ready to call it.