I could hear my name being called as I opened the taxi door. I knew exactly who it was and I wasn't in the mood to give him the time of day. As I was getting into the car, he was standing by the door. I just wanted him to go away… I didn’t want to hear his pathetic, lame excuses.

“Whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it"

"I just want to know why you left. I thought we were having a good time"

"Oh, I know you sure were... Let me know how that goes for ya..." getting back into the car

I stop her from shutting the door. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You seem to be smart... figure it out"

"Well obviously i'm not that smart cause i don't have clue what's going on"

"Sorry.. not buying it... but maybe your other fling will. And if I were you, I'd work on first impressions... cuz they can mean a lot"

"What other fling?" I ask puzzled then I realize what's happened

"You walked out because you saw me talking to a girl at the bar?"

"You were not just talking.. You were so close you could practically kiss her. I am not the jealous type but at least I don't try to get with someone else when I am on a date with someone! If you want to play the field, go ahead, but I will have no part of it."

I want to laugh but something told me that it was best not to.

"Natalie, I've known that girl for about 6 years. She went to school with my sister and they haven't seen each other since. She gave me her number to pass on"

I could tell in his voice that he had wanted to laugh, which would have made me even more mad. Trying to figure if he was telling the truth or giving me a lame excuse, I looked up at him. I suddenly felt very small and totally embarrassed. I am sure that my cheeks were turning a bright red

Turning away and silently scolding myself, I turned back

"I.. uh.. I'm sorry.. and I'm betting you probably think that I'm such as spaz.." with a hint of laughter to cover up the embarrassment

I smile at her "You're not a spaz, I guess you might expect that sort of behavior because of my career"

"Well... I've heard things.... but despite my total idiocy, would you care to resume where we left off?"

"Well would you like to go back inside or someplace else?"

"Just so I don't make more of a idiot of myself.. Do you mind going somewhere else?"

"For you I'd do anything" with a tinkle in his eye

Giving him a slight smile, we both walk away from the curb and walk down to his car

After a while, we start talking and laughing and I'm hoping that the awkwardness had gone. 15 minutes later, I pull up outside the park and go to open her door

"Wanna go for a walk? The fountains are normally lit up and they're quite a sight"

"Really... well I guess that is cause enough for a nice stroll... " in an attempt at an English accent

It's a wonderful evening, there's a slight a breeze and a few stars in the sky as we follow the path alongside the river

"It's so quiet and peaceful out here. You come here often?

"Whenever I get the chance really...It's one of my thinking places""

"I can see why.... I'm surprised its not the beach, you being an ocean lover and all?"

"Hey you remembered...Yeah I love the ocean. It's so fantastic...How about you join me on my boat tomorrow?"

Sensing she's a little uncomfortable, "Or maybe we could take a raincheck? If you're busy tomorrow"

“Yeah… sounds good” still a little nervous at the prospect of being totally alone with him

After a moment of slight disappointment, I suddenly have an idea.

"Come with me" and grab her hand and lead her towards some stone steps at the foot of a bridge

I help her up the steps and they're a little uneven and walk her to the center of the bridge. We lean on the rails and I point towards the water and beam.

"I love the moon's reflection on the water and if you look into the distance you can see the city all lit up"

I turn to her and smile shyly "Not as beautiful as you"

Looking over at him, I shyly smile, slightly embarrassed yet flattered

i really want to kiss her but I'm afraid of her reaction. she might pull away again. the harder it became for me to get through to her the more intrigued i was by her.I take her hand in mine again and bring it slowly to my lips

"Thank you for your amazing company..It's been wonderful"

Surprised, as he raised my hand to his lips, my body was quivering. It had to be nerves...

".. Your welcome... I also had a wonderful time..."

I smile down at her and gaze into her eyes. She has the most beautiful eyes. I put my hands on her waist and lean in and brush my lips against hers.

The way he looked at me, made me a little nervous. It was like he was trying to see right through me. The next minute his hands are on my waist and his lips are touching mine once again. My body is fighting with my head as to whether I give in, but the decision I guess was made for me, when a person on a skateboard suddenly whizzed passed, scaring me and making me move in closer and making the kiss a little more intimate.

I couldn't believe it. Natalie was responding me. Yeah the skater made her a little nervous and she moved closer so I wrapped my arms around her to steady her but there was something strange about her kissing me back. It felt like an electric shock at first and then I felt all warm inside. They say you can tell a lot by a first kiss but I never believed it until now. I was falling for her and falling hard.

I hadn’t intended to kiss him back; standing by my limitations but now they seemed to be flying out the window. He seemed to be a bit surprised by the action but yet still seemed like it was a natural thing between us. I didn’t want him to think that I was caving in already, which I wasn’t, not by any means but the circumstances were just different. And not that it matters but, the kiss was amazing….

I'm getting lost in the kiss but reluctantly I pull away. We're a little breathless at first and it takes us a moment to regain our composure. I look at her almost shyly, I hadn't expected the kiss to be that great. It was a nice surprise.

"Ummm I don't know what to say but wow"

"Yeah.. wow... " as I slowly look up at him, my cheeks become a little pink

"I...I..." I break off not knowing what to say

"I hate to spoil a truly wonderful evening but it's getting quite late. Maybe we should head back"

It wasn’t what I was expecting him to say but then again I knew he was probably right.

“Yeah, you’re probably right…” and letting him lead us back down the path towards home

I could sense she was a little disappointed by what i said but I didn't want to rush things. These feelings were all new to me and I wasn't sure how to handle them as I drive her home. I pull up outside her house and turn to her. Letting my fingers gently graze her cheek, I kiss her softly

".. What was that for?" with a slight giggle

I pull away slightly confused. We've just spent an amazing evening together and she's asking me why I'm kissing her. I didn't know what to think so I try and shrug it off.

"Oh, no reason"

"Sure...now.. don't start getting too comfortable..." with a smile

I half smile and nod "Well I'll..I'll give you a call sometime and we can hang out again"

"Sure" and I open the door and walk up to the front door. Waving back at him when I got in.

I watch her go into her house and give her a small wave then I drive off