"Yeah, I know," Aileen laughed. "The look on your face was hilarious. And you had been wearing that shirt inside out the whole time, and no one said a thing."
Isaac couldn't help it, Aileen's laugh was contagious and he laughed along even though the memory was rather embarrassing for him.
"But you look good no matter what you wear," Aileen smiled and placed her hand on the couch beside his. He gently held her hand.
"I love you," he said.
"I know. And I love you too." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
Though they had only been dating for a few weeks, the two felt connected in a strangely powerful way. They first met on a dating website, both thinking the other was out of their league.
When they met up at a country music concert for the first time, Aileen was captivated by how tall and muscular Isaac was, but also how intelligent he was. He had two degrees, one in mechanical engineering and another in physics. Meanwhile Aileen had barely passed her single physics class in college. Something about Isaac--the wild thrill in his eyes maybe--made Aileen want to be reckless with him.
Meanwhile, Aileen's quiet, mysterious nature drew in Isaac. He wanted to figure her out and know everything about her. She was shorter and smaller but spoke her mind and didn't hold back on anything. The two became committed to each other a week earlier during a romantic dinner that both had cooked together.
However, the couple was not without criticism. Aileen's closest friend Morgan called Isaac a "creep" after only meeting him once. What she saw as creepiness Aileen instead saw as romantic passion. He seemed fully invested in the relationship and ready to do anything to help her out. Isaac's best friend, probably also jealous, said Aileen had a "teenage girl personality." However, her youthful energy inspired Isaac's adventurous side.
At any rate, the couple was happy together. Until tonight, that was.
Later...
"Are you ready to go?"
"Yes, just give me a second." Aileen focused on applying her eyeliner just perfectly. Standing back and looking in the mirror, she nodded. Perfect. She wore a low cut, red top and a tight black skirt. Hopefully just the right amount of seductive for tonight. The two hadn't slept together yet, and Aileen finally felt ready, though she hadn't said so to Isaac yet. Maybe tonight he'll ask and then I'll say yes, she though.
"You look fine, come on, let's go," Isaac called out from her living room. Aileen hopped down the stairs and gave him a quick hug. "Wait, let me get my purse," she said, running back upstairs. Isaac rolled his eyes but smiled. She was so excited, it was rubbing off on him. Any time spent with Aileen he looked forward to. Was it normal to be this attracted to someone in less than a month of dating?
Something was bothering Isaac, but he couldn't say what it was to Aileen. Not yet. But the feeling of something crawling under his skin--he could tell the full moon was going to be here tonight. Normally he'd isolate himself, but maybe, just maybe, Aileen could... Temper the fire. He heard such a thing was possible from a few others with the same condition. True, he was being irresponsible by trying without telling her, but... He didn't want to lose her.
"Okay, I'm ready to go. We're going in your car, right?"
"Yes, I'll drive us there. Come on, let's go."