"So, are you enjoying the exhibition?"

I look away from the piece of work I had been admiring to glace at the man next to me. I take in his slightly relaxed posture as he looks over the painting, his fingers playing with a bracelet on his right wrist, before laying his eyes on me.

"I am, though now that I know who paints them, I feel a little confused because I had enjoyed the mystery. But also inspired by how she managed to hide her identity given how well known she is. Other than that, her work is fascinating!" I look at the painting once more before turning my full attention to Revon. Only hours ago he was a fidgeting mess, whereas now he is much calmer. It is refreshing to see him so much more relaxed. Then again, he doesn't have coffee spilt all over himself, much to my displeasure. "And you? are you enjoying it?"

"Yes, I am." he smiles before looking down briefly, nibbling at his lip. I give him time as it seems he is debating something. After a few moments, he looks back up with a shy smile. "Though I'll be honest, I haven't actually looked at any of the paintings too much. I had actually come here to see Ellis, ask him if he could cancel the date for this evening. I was getting far too nervous and with the issue that I had with my work this morning as well, it all felt too much. I tried to call but I then remembered he would not have had his phone on him while he was here." He shakes his head slightly before chuckling to himself. "But... When I got here and saw you speaking to Ellis, and he mentioned that it was you I was to have the blind date with, I felt so much relief." He sighs and turns to face me fully. "I know we only met briefly but because I knew you even that little bit, it helped a lot! Since I arrived, I have been kind of, looking in the direction of the paintings, but never actually reading them. My mind was stuck thinking about ways that I could approach you again without freaking out. Ellis gave me a pep talk every few paintings but he was useless with his cheesy chat up line suggestions." He giggles quietly as he looks at me with bright eyes shining, his fingers are ringing together showing he is still nervous but he is also relaxed.

I run my eyes across his face, taking in every detail before walking closer, taking his hand in mine. His smile remains as he clutches my hand in both of his and shuffles closer. Although there are only about 20 people in the room, I still feel like their eyes are watching, causing me to keep my true smile hidden as I watch Revon, dying to let it take over my face to express how nervous but excited I also am. I glance at my watch to see it is almost 5 pm, before looking around the small crowd.

"Do you know what plans Ellis had made for us?"

His eyes widen with slight shock but excitement also. "You would still like to go with me? Oh well, yes, it was a simple dinner I think in a restaurant a few blocks away from here. I think he said he booked it for 6 pm, not too late, not too early!" He searches my face as he fiddles with my hand before taking another step closer hesitantly. "Would you still like to go? It is ok if you don't..."

I give a small smirk at his cuteness and his eyes brighten, fixated on my lips. I can't help but deepen my smirk more as I watch him but the next words that come out of my mouth cause the light to dim in his eyes instantly. "I was actually thinking if it was a restaurant date then my sister, Summer, and Julietta could take the reservation instead. I'm not really one for going on those kinds of dates." The moment the words are out of my mouth, it is like I can feel my own heart cracking slightly at the sight before me. Ellis wasn't messing around when he said that Revon was sensitive. He is also very expressive.

He tries to let his hands slip from mine and take a step back as his head drops in clear disappointment. I am taken back from the sudden change of his humour, seeing as we don't know each other that well, or that long. Gripping his hands tighter in mine to prevent him from letting mine go, I take a large step forward towards him so we are toe to toe. I lift my free hand to raise his head up, seeing the start of tears fill his mesmerizing eyes. Needing to see the bright look on his face again I try to give him my best reassuring smile, regardless if it means letting my walls crack in public. "Hey, hey, don't lose hope in me just yet, Revon. Although I may not be into those kinds of dates, I would much prefer to take you on one that I think would suit us both. One that wasn't planned with the intent of it being a blind, mysterious one. A date where you and I can enjoy each others company, without being boxed around other dates. A date where it is just you and I. How does that sound?"

Although there is a hint of a smile on his lips rather than a sad worrying lip, his eyes continue to well up as he looks intently at my face, reading it to find either the truth or any lies. When I only give him my most honest smile back, he opens his mouth to respond but closes it again to take a deep breath before nodding his head vigorously.

I can't help but let out a light laugh that remains within the bubble we have both found our self in. It normally takes me a while to feel relaxed in someone's presence, especially when I start to let them in. Yet, with Revon, I feel that it is happening much sooner, that it is too easy. And that simple thought scares me.

We all have secrets, pasts that we lock up and never wish to share. Ones that affect how we are in the present. I am so used to blocking out the public and keeping myself open for those I care deeply for, that the idea of Revon, a man who I met only hours ago and have interacted with in less, can make me feel so content with how he reacts to me, how he draws me in, confuses me and freaks me the heck out.

I contemplate running, giving myself space and a chance to get my head back into the right train of thought. Though that would be the easy and safe option, Summers words about love and letting in someone special flashes through my mind, and I find myself moving my hand that was resting lightly on his chin to push it back through his hair.

I bring his head down lightly about to place a gentle kiss on his forehead but catch myself, not wanting to be too forward. Instead, I lean towards his ear whispering "Go say goodbye to Ellis, I'll let my sister know of the reservations, and we can get out of here, yeah?" He nods his head while looking at me with pure happiness on his face before turning on his heels to begin his search for Ellis.

Once I find my sister I tell her that she can take over the reservations that Ellis had made and take Julietta with her. Since she already knows the details herself, she agrees before wishing me a goodnight and cursing me for not eating any of the finger food that was present.