It had begun as a simple ride to the mall - both had had some errands to run, and he'd offered to drive when she'd mentioned it. He was more eager to spend the time with her than he was to go shopping, but was willing to make the trip. For her part, she could have postponed the shopping, but had an idea that she'd been wanting to try on for a while.
They bantered and laughed on the drive over, both finding it less awkward than they'd guessed. He managed to drive and talk despite the distraction of her scent, and she kept twisting in her seat to face her body more fully toward him. She watched his face as he watched the road, noting each small smile and deep breath as they spoke. Adding detail to her plan, working up the nerve.
They agreed, walking in, to meet in front of a particular store in a half hour after they'd each checked off their lists. Surprisingly, they both were on time, him smiling and holding up the CD she'd been recommending on the drive over. How sweet - he'd really been listening. She tried to radiate innocence as she asked if he could help her make some choices.
He followed her in, past tables and racks of clothing, nodding to the lady on duty as she worked to straighten the stock. His friend explained that she couldn't decide about some outfits as she led him toward the fitting rooms. He winced internally - they'd not even really dated, it was a little early for the "does this make my butt look big?" conversations - but what the hell, he liked her, and he might as well pick up some nice-guy points.
She was biting her lower lip slightly as they rounded the corner and arrived at the "waiting area" - one chair at the end of the short corridor, which fronted the fitting rooms themselves. She felt his eyes behind her as they walked, and couldn't wait to try her plan. She left him sitting there, and promised to be quick.
He sighed quietly to himself as he waited, resigned to the too-small chair. Remembering the way their eyes had met when she'd seen the CD, he started glancing around for clocks - the mall was about to close, and he wanted to get her out of there. On to better things, right?
When she popped back into view, he started and sat up straight - she'd caught him thinking of her body, and he wasn't quite prepared to be polite. His gaze lingered on the curves of her, and almost too late he managed to meet her eyes. She seemed to be unconcerned and smiling, though, as she asked whether he thought it would work for her at some dreary function she needed to attend the next week. He took the question as permission to look again...
He smiled into her eyes when he was finished, and pointed out the ways the outfit suited her. Her lips parted involuntarily at the flattery - she didn't expect him to notice why it was working - and she turned it into a grin, thanking him for his obviously tasteful opinion. She pouted just a bit as she asked if he'd look at another outfit for her, and genuinely smiled as he agreed.
Hastily she returned to the fitting room and shimmied into the next outfit, wondering why she'd said "don't go away," when it was perfectly clear that he wouldn't. Her thoughts raced as she primped as quickly as she could - the next outfit had better have its full effect, or she was going to have to just jump on him anyway. She hoped her excitement was as obvious as it felt, because she didn't want him to miss his big chance.
She tried to catch him staring again, but he was determined to look her straight in the eyes on her next trip halfway out, standing where she was visible only to the corner with his chair. The pout came back for just a moment - look at the rest of me, dammit! - but she carried on with her explanation, that she was looking for a fun outfit to drive men crazy in the clubs, and asked with her best mock innocence if he liked it on her.
It was time for his mouth to drop open - he almost said "yes" before even looking. But he caught himself in time, and played along hard, telling her he'd try to give her a full opinion. He was quite frank in staring at her, and she tried to control her breathing as he made her wait just a little too long before he spoke again.