First Date Jitters (Drew)

[DREW SOLOMON]

Maureen glared at him playfully and Drew had to laugh. “You just said you were fit to curst!” Again he chuckled and she did the same. “No, as wonderful as the desserts are here I think I need a break. But…if it’s alright I’m like very much to treat you to dessert once our stomachs have settled. There had to be a good place somewhere, other than the cupcake place.” Drew grinned wide, liking the idea of spending more time with Maureen and liking even more that she was the one suggesting it. He didn’t want to take her back to Maxi’s just yet. Before he could tell her he’d be delighted, the waitress came scurrying back with their check and took his card immediately. While she went to swipe it, Drew looked back to Maureen, contemplating. “Well, I guess I could let you treat me,” he teased with a smile. He had the perfect place in mind. Again he was interrupted, however, but he gave a wide smile as he took his card back from the waitress and thanked her profusely for the fantastic service. He had every intention of speaking to the manager about her service and he’d left her a big tip. Drew was a nice guy and he liked to make it a point to reward good service when he received it. First thing was first, though; to help Maureen get ready to brave the cold again. “Are there any other places we used to go that I haven’t seen yet?” He smiled at her as he pulled her coat up over her shoulders. “There’s plenty of places I could show you. I’d take you to the pier, but the weather isn’t warm enough for that. But I do know the perfect place to get dessert.” His smile was a little secretive as he slipped his coat on and led Maureen from the restaurant with his hand on the small of her back.

Just as they reached the host’s stand, he paused to grab one of the hostesses’ attention. “Would you mind grabbing your manager for me?” The girl agreed and within a minute she’d brought her manager over, a middle-aged woman with graying hair and a pleasant but concerned smile. “How can I help you sir?” Drew smiled kindly in return, reassuring her. “I just wanted to tell you that our server was fantastic. It’s the best service I’ve ever received in a restaurant. Her name is Whitney I believe?” The manager was beaming ear to ear and she nodded her head, assuring Drew and Maureen that Whitney would be commended for her service. It was the least Drew could do to improve the waitress’s day. He was certain it couldn’t be easy to serve people all day. With that he offered his arm to Maureen and walked her out with a smile. It wasn’t a long walk to the car and he helped her in before moving to his side and climbing in as well. “There’s an old-fashioned candy and ice cream shop over near Peanut Street if you’d like to try that for dessert. Ice cream’s not exactly the best dessert in cold weather, but they have other things there too. And everything is tasty—it’s like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.” He grinned and when she agreed he began the trip over to the shop.

There was music on low, just enough to hear it but certainly not cover their conversation. “There’s a playground we used to go to all the time as kids. It’s near Trail Oaks on the outskirts of the city. It was our favorite place. Of course everything is safe and plastic now, but it used to be wood and aluminum and chains and rubber. It was the best.” He could remember the way they would have competitions on the monkey bars, the one time Maureen’s hand slipped during a competition and she clattered to the ground crying. Margot had been there to soothe her wounds. Another time Maxi had busted her lip open when she went flying off the merry-go-round. Maureen had hugged her and kissed her chubby little cheek so she would feel better. He could remember his mother pushing them on the swings and playing hide and seek with them. A warm smile came to his lips as he thought of all the happy memories in that place. His eyes shifted to Maureen and he could see her hand resting on her knee. With a moment’s hesitation he reached out and took her hand in his, smiling at her briefly. “Would you like to go after dessert?”

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

Maureen was just about to head out when Drew asked to see a manager. She was surprised when he complimented the waitress and her heart swelled slightly. She wondered if this was a common practice of his or if he was just doing it to impress her. She hoped it wasn't the latter, liking the idea of him making a habit of complimenting good service. After he finished making Whitney's day, he lead the girl from the nice restaurant and the pair walked quickly to the car, arm in arm, to get out of the chill. Maureen watched her smokey breath escape her lips, looking up to Drew as he began talking to her once more. “There’s an old-fashioned candy and ice cream shop over near Peanut Street if you’d like to try that for dessert. Ice cream’s not exactly the best dessert in cold weather, but they have other things there too. And everything is tasty—it’s like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.” That sounded perfect to her! Even if it was a bit cold. "I'd like that." She agreed with a nod.

Drew let her into the car and then moved around to his side. She was glad when the car purred into life and the heat came on. She was used to the cold but that didn't mean she necessarily liked being cold. “There’s a playground we used to go to all the time as kids. It’s near Trail Oaks on the outskirts of the city. It was our favorite place. Of course everything is safe and plastic now, but it used to be wood and aluminum and chains and rubber. It was the best.” She tried to recall a playground, but as most things that were mentioned to her, it didn't ring a bell. Would she remember when she got there? Part of her hoped but knowing the part looked so different from what it used to made her realize there was a good chance that it probably wouldn't trigger a memory. But only time would really tell.

Drew reached for her hand and she looked up to him with sapphire eyes, returning his smile. She could look at his smile all night. “Would you like to go after dessert?” Though she knew it would be cold she nodded, deciding that it would be worth the cold and they didn't have to stay for long. She grinned and nodded and let her fingers slip through his, holding onto his hand. "Very much." She agreed.

The car ride to the ice cream parlor wasn't enough to get her hungry after their huge meal, but she knew she could probably handle an ice cream. Boy, was she right! Maureen's eyes grew the size of saucers when she saw all the wonderful treats available there. After browsing for several minutes, the pair decided to split a funnel cake that had chocolate hazelnut ice cream dripping over it, fixed with whipped cream, sprinkles and a cherry on top for good measure. Maureen, though full, had no problem digging into the dessert and between the two of them they were able to finish almost all of it.

"Ugh, I ate too much." The girl whined playfully as they drove to their next destination. She kept her eye on the window, watching the buildings pass by and trying to see if anything looked familiar. Finally Drew pulled the car over and Maureen all but pressed her nose against the glass to get a good look at the park. Nothing. No weird familiar feelings flooding back. She felt disappointed but turned to drew and grinned anyway. "They kept the swings, didn't they? I know those are dangerous." She teased playfully.

[DREW SOLOMON]

Drew smiled more as Maureen’s fingers slipped into his, his stomach clenching a little in excitement. He liked holding her hand… “Very much.” With that decided, he continued their ride to the ice cream parlor. It had always been a fun place to go. The ice cream was made in the shop as were the baked sweets, but they also had candies of every kind. It was a little kid’s dream. He laughed at the way Maureen marveled at all the delicious sweets and when they sat down at the counter for dessert, she had a hard time deciding. Finally they ordered the loaded funnel cake and boy was it loaded. It was delicious though and surprisingly filling. Despite the expansion of his stomach, Drew continued to eat until he simply couldn’t anymore. It was too good to waste! They ate a good amount of it however and when they left he was quite satisfied. He hadn’t been so full in a very long time. Once in his car with the heater on he could tell he would sleep well tonight. His anxiety about this date had left him exhausted, but now that it was going so well and he was relaxed and fed, he knew a peaceful sleep would follow when he got home.

“Ugh, I ate too much.” Drew grinned and glanced at Maureen in the passenger’s seat, their hands laced together once more. “Ditto,” he answered wanting nothing more than to lie down and let his stomach settle. They were close to their destination and Maureen’s eyes were glued to the passing scenery, making him smile broader. He wondered if she would remember anything about this place. When no one was around they would play hide and go seek with their powers, weaving in and out of the tall oak trees, appearing and disappearing. Their mothers didn’t like them showing off their ability so out in the open, but there were days when they would simply look away and keep a stern eye out for strangers. Finally Drew came to a stop and the medium sized park and playground were left abandoned in the chilly night air. Maureen turned to him and gave a wide, playful smile. “They kept the swings, didn’t they? I know those are dangerous.” He nodded in mock seriousness, his brow furrowing. “Absolutely. They’re death traps! The chain could break and your butt might be brushed. Or maybe the chain could pinch you. You could fall and break your neck!” Though he sounded serious, it became obvious he was teasing when his big smile spread across his face. “Alas, they did keep them. I’ll escort you to the death traps. Stay there.” Maureen followed his instruction and Drew climbed out of the car to move around and open her door for her. Once she climbed out, instead of offering his arm as he’d done before, he took her hand gently in his, liking this new gesture between them. With a smile he began walking to the playground.

“Our moms brought us here all the time: you and Max, me, Jamie and his brothers and sisters. It was always a ton of fun. We used to run to that tree line over there.” He pointed in the distance to the line of oak trees “We would play hide and seek with our powers and run between the trees. You and Maxi were pretty good, but I was better.” A taunting grin spread wide across his face as he looked down at the woman beside him. His eyes lifted to the swings, improved slightly but still very similar to the swings he remembered. “We also had competitions on the swings to see who could fly the further when jumping off. Our moms hated that game—they thought we were going to break something or really hurt ourselves doing it. Usually we walked away unscathed, but we all hurt ourselves doing that in some way—scrapes and bruises and things.” His eyes came to hers once more, smiling gently at her. He was so glad she could come back to see this place again… “Do you remember any of this?”

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

Even with his grave seriousness, Maureen had a hard time not giggling when she looked at him, knowing he wasn't actually being serious. It was too hard to not be in a wonderful mood when he was around, and now that she had completely warmed up to him, and vice versa, it was a joy to be in his company. “Absolutely. They’re death traps! The chain could break and your butt might be brushed. Or maybe the chain could pinch you. You could fall and break your neck!” She bit her lip but nodded her head as if to agree completely with the silly warning he bestowed upon the swings. True, they could be dangerous as all playground equipment was, but if children played properly on them and were supervised, rarely would any real harm come to them. Finally the smile returned and she let hers out again as well. “Alas, they did keep them. I’ll escort you to the death traps. Stay there.” "Why thank you." She teased, watching the handsome young man get out of the car and knowing he would be coming around to help her out. He was a perfect gentleman and she would be spoiled dearly by him. She was relieved he hadn't fought her too hard about paying for dessert!

Maureen offered a smile that was somewhere between innocent and flirty as she took his hand, letting him know in that one glance that she was liking very much what he was doing, and liking him just as much as his gestures. “Our moms brought us here all the time: you and Max, me, Jamie and his brothers and sisters. It was always a ton of fun. We used to run to that tree line over there.” She looked out towards the tree, probing her memory for anything. “We would play hide and seek with our powers and run between the trees. You and Maxi were pretty good, but I was better.” She pursed her lips and raised a brow up at him before rolling her eyes. "I'll have to ask Max about that." She teased finding his smile endearing. “We also had competitions on the swings to see who could fly the further when jumping off. Our moms hated that game—they thought we were going to break something or really hurt ourselves doing it. Usually we walked away unscathed, but we all hurt ourselves doing that in some way—scrapes and bruises and things.” That certainly explained a lot to Maureen. She had always loved playing on the swings in Friday Harbor and she had been great at jumping off far distances. She impressed many of the other children with that strange skill she couldn't recall learning. It seemed as though her muscle memory was sharper than her actual memory. “Do you remember any of this?”

Maureen loved and hated that question. If she did remember it was wonderful to hear about it and reminisce, having the holes filled in and sometimes she would actually remember a great deal more, but often she still had nothing to go on. She felt sad looking into Drew's hopeful eyes and slowly shook her head, trying not to convey her disappointment. "I remember playing hide and seek with Maxi at home, very vaguely of course, and I used to jump from the swings all the time while I was growing up with the Aberdeen's, but I don't really remember coming here. Not yet.." She knew there was a better chance of her not remembering than actually remembering, but she liked to give others hope, and herself. "I wonder if I could still jump off the swings, though.." She changed the subject, smirking a little at Drew as she nodded her head towards the swings and pulled him along as she made her way over.

It had been a long time since the woman had gotten onto a swing. It felt so natural, and she felt so young doing it. "I don't know if this is my best idea. My tummy is really full!" She giggled as she kicked off and started swinging, pumping her legs a little. "I bet I can jump further than you, even with your big old long legs!" She taunted, getting some air now and looking over to Drew. She was smaller and lighter and would get better wind resistance! "You up for the challenge, or you too chicken?" She teased, sounding more like a young girl than the mild mannered woman she actually was.

Maybe she did remember a little..

[DREW SOLOMON]

Drew waited patiently for Maureen’s answer and when she slowly shook her head, he only gave a reassuring smile. He wasn’t disappointed for himself but for her—it had to be hard to not remember. Somehow, though, it looked like she was hesitant to tell him he couldn’t remember, like she was afraid he would be upset. “I remember playing hide and seek with Maxi at home, very vaguely of course, and I used to jump from the swings all the time while I was growing up with the Aberdeens, but I don’t really remember coming here. Not yet…” His smile widened, liking that note of hope at the end. Maybe someday she would remember everything…or maybe not. Either way, he intended to be there for what she could remember. If she couldn’t remember the great memories they’d had in this park then they would just have to make more. It seemed she was of the same mindset. “I wonder if I could still jump off the swings, though…” A smirk came to her lips and it echoed on his. Her tone was bordering on a challenge and he was willing to accept it. Before he knew it, she was pulling him along to the swings and he was grinning like an idiot. It had been far too long since he’d had fun on those swings.

Maureen lowered herself onto a swing and it made Drew’s heart warm to see her doing that again. For so many years he didn’t think he’d ever see her again… “I don’t know if this is the best idea. My tummy is really full!” He laughed and sidled over to a swing himself. The last time he sat on those swings he’d been a lot smaller, but it still felt right to be in that swing. Maureen kicked off and started pumping her legs, grinning over at him. “I bet I can jump further than you, even with your big old long legs! You up for the challenge, or you too chicken?” That was the Maureen he’d remembered fondly over the past twenty-five years, the one he’d quickly come to love when they were just kids. His heart swelled five times over as his grin was warm and loving. He truly was the luckiest man alive to get a second chance with a woman he thought was dead. And she wasn’t losing any air…

With a smug smirk, he kicked off and pumped his legs, leaning his weight into the swing and the chains to quickly pick up speed. “You’re on, short stack!” he teased, the cold night air hardly affecting him. He was pumped for this challenge! It was completely natural for him to move backwards and forwards, faster and faster as he climbed higher and higher. Maureen had a head start on him, though, and she was so lightly she could get higher and more quickly. She took complete advantage of her tiny frame and soon she was high as she could safely be to jump off. He wasn’t far behind. “Okay, on the third swing! One…two…three!” Both of them let go and jumped from the swing, Drew’s back arching as he flew through the air and guided his feet to the ground. He flew far and he suddenly remembered how free he could feel just launching himself from a swing. It felt like forever that he was in the air but he came firmly to his feet a good distance away from the swings. Maureen landed just after him and a little more delicately, but she started to fall back and he jumped to catch her before she completely lost her balance and landed on her butt. He caught her just in time around the waist and he laughed before looking at the difference in the length of their flight. It made him give an amused grin. “Looks like we’re even, short stack.” He grinned down at her, still holding her against his side and he wondered how many years it had been since they had stood in this same spot. Even after all those years and the miles apart, here they were jumping off swings and standing together. Happy didn’t describe what he felt. He couldn’t help himself—he pulled her into a tight hug and simply rested his chin on her shoulder.

For a long moment he just stood there holding her, her body so warm pressed against his. “I never expected to do this again. Those years we were all together…they were the happiest of my life. You went away…and my mom died…and I just knew it would never be the same again. I would never be that happy again. But I was wrong…I know right now that I was wrong.” His voice was soft and low as he spoke into her shoulder. It was a strange feeling, but he felt like he’d had incredible, undeniable happiness for so many years, and then that period waned and faded, but now a new happiness was beginning—maybe it would be even better than the first period of happiness he’d had. It was all because of Maureen. When he pulled back just a little, his forehead leaned against hers and his hand cupped her cheek gently. His eyes looked into hers and he smiled warmly, close enough to kiss her but refraining for the moment, content to just be close to her and looking on her.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

“You’re on, short stack!” She looked over at the smug, but sweet boy beside her, kicking off and swinging in his swing. She was gaining air much quicker than him and in no time she was high enough to be almost even with the bar holding her swing in place. Drew was catching up, and in that time she simply enjoyed the feel of the wind wooshing on her face, throwing her hair back and forward and tangling it like a childs, making her feel eight years old again. She hoped she wouldn't mess up Maxi's boots when she jumped! “Okay, on the third swing!" Maureen got ready and yelled a little "You got it!" At him just before he began to count them off. "One…two…three!” Maureen launched herself from her seat and flew across the mulch, landing feet first. For a moment she thought she'd done great and started giggling, but then she realized her footing was off and started to tumble back. She braced herself for the impact, but it never came. Instead, strong hands caught her around her middle, keeping her on her feet and the amused laugh washed away the moment of fear she felt. “Looks like we’re even, short stack.” He said with a grin and she nodded, smiling widely back. She liked his nickname for her and she wondered if it was a new one or one he'd used when they were kids. Maybe being on the playground reminded him? She had always been on the shrimpy side, or so she assumed. She'd been taller than Maxi, but not by much, even now as adults she was taller.

Maureen expected Drew to let go and to ask for a rematch or something, but his grip tightened around her as he pulled her into an actual embrace. She didn't fight it. It felt nice to be hugged by such a hulking, warm man and it was a chilly night. For a long moment she let him hold her, nuzzling into him and wondering what he was thinking about. Why was he holding onto her so tightly? It was as if he was afraid she'd leave again. “I never expected to do this again. Those years we were all together…they were the happiest of my life. You went away…and my mom died…and I just knew it would never be the same again. I would never be that happy again." Her heart suddenly panged with the guilt she'd been feeling when she was around the others and they mentioned how their lives had been so horrible when she had died. She had never meant to hurt anyone! Especially the people she had been closest to.. the people who had loved her most. "But I was wrong…I know right now that I was wrong.” Maureen felt a rush of hotness run through her and she gulped. Did she make him that happy? Did she make him happy because of who she was or because she was back again? Maureen started to wonder if Drew would always see her as the little girl who'd been lost at sea and had then come back to him. She wanted to be more, though. She was so much more than that!

Drew pulled back and rested his forehead against hers, his hands cupping her cheeks. She looked up into his eyes awkwardly, biting her lip as he smiled at her. How could she reassure this man that she would never leave them all again? That she didn't want her existence to be the reason he was happy. She wanted to make him happy because she made him happy, because he found her funny and enchanting and beautiful, not because she was Maureen McManus, girl formerly lost at see.

Her hands reached up and slid over his, gripping them gently as they continued to rest on her cheek. "I don't want my life to be the reason you're happy, Drew." She told him softly, his hot breath warming her chilled nose. "I want to make you happy because you enjoy spending time with me. Because you like me, and not what I represented in your life. I want you to be happy because your life is wonderful, and not because I'm back in it." She bit her lip and pulled away a little, nervous that she would frighten him off, but knowing it would be wrong to let him try and date her for the wrong reasons. "I like you, Drew.. I like being around you and I like the thought of us, even though it scares me a little and I have no idea how we're going to work it all out if we do work out, but I don't want to be with you if your adoration ends at me being who I am.. for being Maureen McManus. I'm not her.. she can't make you happy because she died on that boat." It wasn't easy for her to say it but it needed to be said, and she hoped he understood.

[DREW SOLOMON]

When Maureen’s hands moved up to rest over his Drew smiled a little more. He liked just being close to her. “I don’t want my life to be the reason you’re happy, Drew.” His brow lowered curiously as he pulled back just enough to look down at her more clearly. What did she mean? “I want to make you happy because you enjoy spending time with me. Because you like me, and not what I represented in your life. I want you to be happy because your life is wonderful, and not because I’m back in it.” Now she pulled back a little and his smile faded some. He didn’t understand what she meant. Of course he was happy she was back in his life… “I like you, Drew…I like being around you and I like the thought of us, even though it scares me a little and I have no idea how we’re going to work it all out if we do work out, but I don’t want to be with you if your adoration ends at me being who I am…for being Maureen McManus. I’m not her…she can’t make you happy because she died on that boat.” His stomach dropped a little and he let his hands fall from her face, holding her hands gently between them instead. Maureen McManus hadn’t died…there were bits of her still left in Maureen Aberdeen. But then…she didn’t remember this place. He’d been elated to be back there with her but he was the only one who was happy about that. She didn’t share in his happiness at flying through the air with her once more. His eyes fell to their hands and he swallowed hard, trying hard to accept that this wasn’t Maureen McManus. But he’d known that all along, hadn’t he?

“Of course you’re not Maureen McManus anymore.” He forced a smile as his eyes came back to hers, feeling foolish for getting so wrapped up in the moment. “That’s why I feel the way I feel about you. If you could remember everything…our relationship would be different. I alluded to that earlier.” Though his voice paused, he reached out and touched her cheek again, his eyes serious. “I do like you for who you are, Maureen Aberdeen. You’re beautiful and sweet and smart and funny…everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman. You wouldn’t be who you are now unless you were on that boat. I don’t want you to think that I would have you be anyone else—as sad as I was that you died, I wouldn’t change it to have you go back to being Maureen McManus. We wouldn’t be where we are now if that happened. You wouldn’t be the girl I’m falling for if that happened.” Another small but more genuine smile came to his lips as he looked at Maureen. “But I’m still happy we’re back here. You aren’t the same person and you don’t remember this place like I do, but it still makes me happy. You’re right, Maureen McManus can’t make me happy anymore, but this isn’t the same happiness I felt then. Back then I was a little boy happy to be with a girl he thought of as a little sister. Now it’s Maureen Aberdeen making me happy to be with a woman I’m falling for. It just so happens that Maureen McManus and Maureen Aberdeen are physically the same person.” His smile grew a little more, feeling a little less foolish as he explained himself. He let his fingers trail into her hair gently. “I just wanted you to know that having Maureen Aberdeen in my life makes me feel happy again, like when Maureen McManus was in it—even though it’s a different happiness.” He leaned down a little so their eyes were level and she could see how much he meant what he was saying. “Everything about your existence makes me happy.” His smile grew again, a hopeful and reassuring smile, desperate to make her understand that even though he missed Maureen McManus and it was hard to accept she was really gone, he was glad she was Maureen Aberdeen now.

For a minute he didn’t know how she would react. Would she think he was silly or overly romantic? Would she think he was crazy, had he explained himself well enough? He glanced to her lips, wanting to kiss her, but he didn’t know if she wanted him to. Maybe this was all too much for her…maybe she wouldn’t want anything to do with him now. The hand in her hair slipped down so it was cradling the back of her neck and he gave a soft laugh and shook his head. “I don’t know if any of that made sense.” All he knew was he hoped she wouldn’t pull away.

[MAUREEN ABERDEEN]

He looked pained by her words, but he didn't lash out. His fingers wrapped around hers and she gazed deep in his eyes, her lips pouting gently as they did when she was upset. She didn't want Drew to be with her for the wrong reasons. “Of course you’re not Maureen McManus anymore.” The smile he offered seemed forced and her heart thudded wildly in her chest. “That’s why I feel the way I feel about you. If you could remember everything…our relationship would be different. I alluded to that earlier.” He had and Maureen gulped, her dark blue eyes searching his slate green ones. The breath caught in her throat as his fingers gently caressed her cheek. “I do like you for who you are, Maureen Aberdeen. You’re beautiful and sweet and smart and funny…everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman." Her cheeks flushed hot red at his praise and she bit her bottom lip, feeling bashful now. "You wouldn’t be who you are now unless you were on that boat. I don’t want you to think that I would have you be anyone else—as sad as I was that you died, I wouldn’t change it to have you go back to being Maureen McManus. We wouldn’t be where we are now if that happened. You wouldn’t be the girl I’m falling for if that happened.” Maureen was taking short, quivering breaths. She'd been wrong to accuse him of wanting her for the wrong reasons. “But I’m still happy we’re back here. You aren’t the same person and you don’t remember this place like I do, but it still makes me happy. You’re right, Maureen McManus can’t make me happy anymore, but this isn’t the same happiness I felt then. Back then I was a little boy happy to be with a girl he thought of as a little sister. Now it’s Maureen Aberdeen making me happy to be with a woman I’m falling for. It just so happens that Maureen McManus and Maureen Aberdeen are physically the same person.”

Maureen felt foolish for her accusation, and in that moment she fell hard for the man standing in front of her. He wanted this.. he liked who she was now, who she had become even though she was clearly different from her former self. Some of the girl that lived here still remained in her, but she wasn't the wild carefree child she'd been for Drew twenty five years ago. His fingers slid through her hair and she moved her head slightly to allow him to touch her. “I just wanted you to know that having Maureen Aberdeen in my life makes me feel happy again, like when Maureen McManus was in it—even though it’s a different happiness.” He leaned down a little and her heart quickened at his closeness, feeling a sudden sense of longing for him. “Everything about your existence makes me happy.” Her eyes welled and she gulped as his fingers slid to the nape of her neck. He let out a soft gentle laugh and shook his head, making Maureen bite her bottom lip once more. “I don’t know if any of that made sense.”

Maureen put her hands to his cheeks and drew his face close to hers in one fluid motion, pressing her plush lips to his and kissing him hard and passionately, though her mouth remained closed. She kept her mouth on his for a long moment, her grip loosening on his face as she cradled it gently now. A warm tear slid down her cheek and she sniffled, pulling away and letting a bashful smile grace her lips. She shook her head and then looked back up at Drew with dewy eyes. She sighed gazing at him and then reached to wrap her arm around his neck, nuzzling her face into his shoulder, her cheek flush with his neck. "I'm sorry." She said softly, her arms crossed at the back of his neck. "I shouldn't have doubted you.. I should have known better. I'm sorry, Drew." She held tight for another moment and then pulled away enough to look up into his face, her arms loose around his neck. "Forgive me?" She pleaded softly, her eyes squinting lightly as her brows arched high, an apologetic look on her face.

[DREW SOLOMON]

Drew’s eyes widened when Maureen’s hands were suddenly on his cheeks and pulling him into her. He relaxed when he felt her lips against his, though, and his hands rested gently on her waist. It was a chaste but passionate kiss and when she gently cradled his face his arms slid around her tiny form. He could hold her all night if she’d let him. When she pulled away it took a moment for him to open his eyes, but when he did he saw the trail of a tear on her cheek. Thankfully she was smiling otherwise he would be worried he’d done something wrong. He was about to wipe it away when she pulled him into a hug and he instinctively held her tighter. At least he’d done something right. It felt wonderful to have her nuzzling into him and he did the same, his nose burying in her auburn hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you…I should have known better. I’m sorry, Drew.” Sorry? She didn’t have to be sorry…when she pulled back a bit he gave her something of a confused look, watching her with kind green eyes. “Forgive me?” Those big blue eyes of hers bore into his and he couldn’t help but let the smile form on his mouth. He rested his forehead against hers, letting a hand slip into her hair with a comforting touch. “There’s nothing to forgive, Maureen. I understand you needing to know my motives.” His mouth quirked up more with a smile as he looked in her eyes. God, she was beautiful.

He leaned in and kissed her again softly, his hand cradling her jaw. Had he ever felt softer lips? It had been such a long time, he couldn’t really remember…The kiss remained closed mouthed for a time, but the longer his lips stayed on hers, the more their mouths began to slide against one another’s. Drew hadn’t really intended for his kisses to get deeper, but his mouth was moving of its own accord. It left him feeling breathless, more breathless than usual. His tongue hesitantly crept forward and touched Maureen’s and a jolt shot through his stomach. Her tongue was warm and soft and even sweet…it made him feel giddy and lightheaded and he didn’t slide his tongue against hers for very long or even very deep. Just a light touch and that was all he could handle for the evening. He kissed her for a minute longer before he had to pull away to breathe again. His face was flushed and so was hers when his eyes opened again. Their breath steaming between them almost looked like steam coming off their faces and he knew they were equally as affected by that deep kiss. Drew looked in her eyes, wanting to make sure she had liked it before he pecked her lips one more time. There were definitely magnets in her lips.

“I should take you home,” he said softly against her mouth, giving a nervous but genuine smile. If he continued he would have even more reason to be nervous—Maureen would be able to feel how much he liked her and he definitely wasn’t ready for that, just like he knew she wasn’t ready. Before he pulled away, though, he kissed her again, his lips turning up in a soft smile against hers. His arm around her waist slipped across her back before his hand slid into hers, their fingers twining together. Finally he pulled away with a warm smile and stepped back a bit. “Come on,” he instructed softly and they slowly made their way back to his car hand-in-hand. He would never forget how happy he felt this evening or how intently he focused on not showing Maureen how wobbly his legs were on the walk back to the car.

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