This was it.

Oliver straightened his favorite green tie and threaded his arms into a black jacket. He'd tried on more casual outfits, only to return to the tie. Felicity had insisted on a casual, no pressure, avoid all unnecessary awkward moments type of night for their first official date, but the tie needed to be a part of this memory.

The door to Oliver's room creaked open. Thea sauntered in with a whistle. "Where ya going?"

"To the theatre for a movie and then the patio for some dinner." Was the jacket too much?

Thea's brows crowded together. "You mean a theatre or our theatre?"

"Ours."

Another whistle blew across her lips. "Well, ya don't say. All dressed up for a date at home? Do I know the girl? Better question." She lifted a finger. "Does she know you because I'm not sure I do right now."

"What's up?" Roy stood in the open doorway. "Are you ready to go? Oh, Hey, Oliver."

Oliver nodded. "Roy. Feel free to take my sister out for a long evening of good manners and polite conversation."

"Oliver has a hot date," Thea tattled.

Roy raised a scarred brow. "With who?"

Thea's smile slid over her face in a cartoonish, satisfied look, not unlike the Grinch. "Yeah, Ollie. Who's the lucky lady? Do we know her?"

Oliver squirmed under their scrutiny. Ridiculous. He squared his shoulders. "Yes. You do. Are you leaving soon? Maybe I can call you a car or perhaps escort you out?"

Thea clapped silently. "Does that mean she's on her way now?" She grabbed Roy's shirt. "Let's stay until she gets here."

"No." Oliver shot a warning look at Roy.

The doorbell rang and Oliver bristled. "I'll get that. You two stay here." He moved toward the oversized front door at a clip. The anticipation was unsettling. He'd watched a number of shows with Felicity this month. Shared copious amounts of take out. Why should this night feel so different? Besides the fact they'd admitted mutual feelings for one another and a shared desire to pursue those feelings. No big deal. Or it shouldn't have been, between two adults, but Oliver couldn't shake the feeling his hair stuck up in back and his braces might pinch her lips if they kissed.

Roy and Thea arrived at the front door on Oliver's heels.

Oliver groaned. "Don't act crazy."

Thea crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue.

Oliver swung the door wide and his sister nearly bit off her own tongue closing her mouth.

"Felicity." Three voices united.

Oliver extended a hand her way. "Come in."

Thea smirked. "Felicity Smoak. We've been waiting for you."

Felicity's brows drew together. "You have? Because I thought I was on time for once." She looked from face to face.

Oliver pulled her inside and shut the door. "I think these two kids were on their way out. Weren't you?"

"Oh, don't leave on my account." Felicity smiled. "Was I really late? How long have you been expecting me?"

Roy opened the door for Thea and pursed his lips. "I don't know, six, seven months I think."

Thea kissed Oliver's cheek and followed Roy through the door. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Oliver rolled his eyes and turned his back to the door. "Well, that gives me all kinds of wiggle room."

"I overdressed." Felicity smoothed her cotton dress. "I couldn't decide what to wear so I went with this. Not too casual but not dressy. I should've dressed up."

Oliver pressed his lips to her cheek, savoring the scent and warmth of her skin on his. "You look perfect."

"You wore the tie." She slid the green fabric between her fingertips.

"It seemed…appropriate."

Felicity's smile warmed him. The happiness in her eyes gave rise to hope in his heart. Something he'd long ago said goodbye to.

She raised her eyes from the tie to meet his gaze. "What should we do first?"

"I'm glad you asked."

A smile split her face. "Yeah?"

He slid his hands behind her back and pulled her nearer. "Normally, I'd wait until we were watching the movie to make a move. I'd pretend to yawn."

She giggled and stage winked. "Nice."

"Thanks. Then, I'd stretch obnoxiously big and slide an arm around you." He shrugged. "It's my signature move."

She pressed her palms to his chest. "Stop. Don't tell me all your secrets up front. Keep a girl guessing."

Oliver widened his stance, planting his feet on either side of hers and looked down the distance separating their heights. What had taken them so long to get to this place? "Next, I'd probably say something endearing and you'd laugh."

"Unlikely."

He raised his brows. "You doubt my charm?"

"Definitely. I basically find you appalling."

Oliver growled. "Wow. You really know how to tear down a guy's game."

Her eyes twinkled, crinkling at the corners. "Sorry. You're going to have to do better than some middle school yawning moves and lame one liners to get this girl's attention."

He counted on it.

Felicity's palms slid over his chest and locked behind his head, aligning their bodies against one another. Finally. Her move. His cue.

Their breaths mingled for a moment as he leaned over her. Carefully, he brushed her lips with feather light caresses.

Felicity sighed against his mouth. Her body melted into his and desire scorched through him.

"Felicity," he whispered.

Her eyes didn't open. "Kiss me, Oliver." Her fingers curled against the nape of his neck.

Shock waves jolted down his back and he obeyed. The tentative press of her lips gave way instantly to something more and he responded wither fervor. Urgency fueled by a year of wanting, waiting and denying swept through him. Her warm lips moved slowly with his, heating him slowly at the core. Her soft moan rose to his ears and he smiled against her mouth. She was as consumed with the moment as he was and the idea intoxicated him. Oliver ran his tongue along her lower lip, tasting her. Felicity's lips parted on a sharp intake of breath and she deepened the kiss, giving him access to her he'd only dreamed of before. He cradled her head in his hand, savoring the moment. Touch had become their private communication and, like all their conversations, her lingering kiss answered one question and gave rise to many more.

Oliver broke the kiss before he was ready. What was he thinking starting the date this way? Did he want to go insane? He needed to regain some semblance of control before their first date was marred by something she might regret. Oliver cleared his throat. "Sorry. That was premature. I hear it's customary to wait until the end of the date to request a goodnight kiss." He pinched the edge of his bottom lip, already swollen and thirsty for more.

Felicity traced the length of his arm with her palm. Stopping at his hand, she entwined their fingers. "I don't remember you asking."

He squeezed her tiny hand in his and moved toward the theatre where her favorite movie was set to play. "That's because you kissed me."

She slowed her pace. "I don't think so. You definitely kissed me and you didn't ask. A little presumptuous, really."

"I don't remember it that way."

She gasped. Her feet rooted in place. "So, you stole that kiss." She clucked her tongue.

Oliver's smile spread. "I'm a thief now?"

"I'm just saying. You didn't ask."

He smiled. "I didn't have to. I remember getting a request." Kiss me, Oliver. The words burned through him. What else would Felicity ask for so boldly? And how soon could he find out?

"Felicity?" He turned her to face him. He really shouldn't have started the date this way. How could he sensibly do anything else now, knowing he could kiss her again? His gaze fell from her sexy blue eyes to her swollen pink lips. "May I kiss you?"

Her stunned expression was perfect. Oliver made a mental picture to review later when she'd gone home. "Yes."

His fingers found her cheeks the way she'd touched him before, caressing her bottom lip with his thumbs. Oliver leaned forward, watching her eyes, seeking any change of heart. Her eyes slid shut, and Oliver pressed his lips to hers, catching her bottom lip in his. The kiss was chaste, but powerful. Filled with promises he couldn't always find the words to say, but he would always show her how he felt. How much he cared. How much she meant. Maybe the words would come later. She'd already altered him completely. And like she said, anything was possible.

Felicity wobbled in his arms. "Wow." The word was a whisper on her lips.

He tilted his head. "Did I steal that kiss too? Tell the truth."

Her head swung left and right. "Just my breath."

Oliver's heart thundered. "Good." In time, perhaps he'd steal her heart as well.