When she pulled in the lot she saw him standing by the door. It was weird not seeing him in any kind of uniform. He had a laid back style much like hers. Simple dark jeans, yellow converses, and a Doctor Who tee. Taryn loved Doctor Who.
"Hey" He outstretched his arms to her. "Can I hug you? Or is that weird?" Taryn shrugged and figured why not? She stepped closer to give a friendly hug. When Cydney saw that her hands were going around his waist he quickly took her hands and moved them so they would wrap around his neck.
"What the hell? Did you just modify my hug?" Cydney smiled down at her.
"Don't act mad. You know you like it." Oddly enough Taryn did like the feeling of Cydney so close to her. They just stood there quietly for a minute with their arms wrapped around each other.
"Awkward silence..." Taryn mumbled.
"Not awkward for me. I'm just taking you in." He squeezed her tight to prove his point. "Come on. You're gonna like this." They headed towards the building and Cydney unlocked the door and turned on the lights.
"Wow, I haven't been here since I was like 6."
"They've made some changes since then. Tour?" He reached for her hand.
"Free?" She pulled back playfully.
"I guess. For you." He rolled his eyes and intertwined his fingers with hers.
As they walked through the conservatory that was more like a jungle in a building, Taryn paid more attention to her company than to the plants. She started to notice little things about him, like how his fingers idly twitched as if he was playing the piano. A habit Taryn also had. And how he licked his lips every time he looked at her. She wasn't sure how she felt about that, but it was kind of a turn on. But then it dawned on her. She didn't know anything at all about this man. Why the hell did she come meet a stranger at night in an empty conservatory... where no one could hear her scream. Wow. She felt like the dumb blonde in the horror movie that goes towards the creepy noise instead of away from it. Jesus she was going to get herself killed.
"You ok?" He noticed the worried look on her face. Taryn turned to face him. "You look nervous."
"I am. I'm really nervous actually. Ease my mind, assure me you're not a serial killer." She sounded like she was pleading with him.
"You have nothing to worry about... but then again, isn't that what a serial killer would say?" He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.
"That supposed to make me feel better?"
"Doesn't it?" He shrugged.
"Not even a little bit." Taryn had a small smirk on her face. Even though she didn't know him, she was oddly comfortable around him.
"So how is it you have pull around here?"
"I volunteer here on sometimes on weekends."
"Let me get this straight. You work at Home Depot during the day, the diner in the evenings and you volunteer here on weekends?"
"Yea something like that." He shrugged.
"Sounds busy."
"I make time for important things." He smiled at her and led her into a large open room. Small pieces of rainbow colored paper were fluttering around the room silently.
"Confetti?"
"Nope. Try again." He laughed.
"Butterflies!" She whispered. As if her voice would disrupt the peace in the room. "It's so pretty." As butterflies fluttered around her all she could do was watch in amazement. Her eyes grew as she watched them fly gracefully.
"You like it?" She could feel his presence behind her.
"It's amazing." She tried to distract herself from the feel of him behind her. But the butterflies were no match to Cydney.
"There are thousands of butterflies from all over the world in this one room."
"This is insane and absolutely beautiful." She imagined all types of butterflies literally crossing oceans to get to this very room.
"I thought you'd think it was corny." He whispered in her ear causing her breathing to speed up.
"Then you obviously you don't know me as well as you think you do." Taryn turned around to face him. "You know the future me. Not the present." She had to seriously fight the urge to trace his lips with her fingertip.
"I know you want to kiss me." He said with confidence.
"What makes you think that?"
"You were staring at my lips." Shit.
"Doesn't mean I want to kiss you." God did she want to kiss him.
"So if I were to kiss you right now what would happen?" He moved in closer.
"I'd slap you." Taryn crossed her arms.
"You'd slap me?" He cocked an eyebrow doubting her. "I wouldn't want to risk that happening." He shoved his hands in his jeans and took a step back from her. He couldn't help but wonder if she was serious because god knows he wanted to kiss her. Taryn was surprised, she thought, no... hoped that he would just do it. Taryn was no doubt attracted to him. He was gorgeous. Tall, lean, dimples, and perfect teeth (Taryn had a thing for guys with perfect teeth)...this guy was a catch. Which only asked the question, what's wrong with him?
"What's wrong with you?" She blurted out.
"Uh, nothing last I checked."
"Your handsome, charming and you seem like an all around nice guy. I don't get it."
"I guess I was just looking for the right girl." He put his arm around Taryn's waist as they walked.
"Uh, uh. Don't give me that bullshit. What's really wrong with you?" She pulled away.
"I sing in the shower, I'm a crazy sci-fi fan, and I'm a morning person."
"Those are some serious flaws. Possibly deal breakers." Taryn couldn't hide the huge smile on her face. She was definitely feeling him.
"So you're done with me?" He chuckled.
"If you could become more of an afternoon person, I think I could make this work."
"Does that mean you want to see me again?" Cydney stopped dead in his tracks.
"Yeah" She shrugged trying not to make a big deal out of it. "But don't get too excited. This was just a 1st date, there's plenty of time for you to fuck up."
"Wow. No faith in me at all." He laughed and pulled her close again. He felt her tense up and worried it was because of his touch. He wasn't sure if he should give her more space, after all it was just the 1st date. But they seemed so comfortable together he thought it was ok.
"Sorry?"
"What? No. Not you." She giggled. "My phone is vibrating, it caught me off guard." She checked the caller i.d. "My brother, I should get this."
Cydney stepped over to the side to give her some privacy. He liked her. A lot. He wasn't sure if he would because she seemed to have a serious attitude problem back at the diner. But after walking with her, talking with her, basically just being in the same general proximity of Taryn made him feel confident that she was the one. He could tell by the look on her face that something was up and she would have to leave soon. He watched her closely as she walked back to him.
"I have to go. My brothers are... childish." She stood in front of him waiting for Cydney to say something.
"I want to see you again..." He shrugged. "Don't think about it, just say yes." He stared at her as she squished up her face. "Just say yes."
"Fine." Taryn wanted nothing more than to see him again.
"Tomorrow?" He shrugged.
"I planned on painting. But I could take a break and we could get some lunch or something."
"Or I could help you." He wasn't trying to smother her or anything. He just needed more than a lunch with her.
"Ok, why not?" She was comfortable around him and really didn't see the harm in him coming to her place. Using one of his moves, she reached in his pocket and took out his cell phone. The way his breath quickened showed her that she had that same effect on him. She saved her address in his blackberry and reached to put it back where she got it.
