Chapter 5 A Good Start

Sandra leaned against the brick wall of Gerry's building, trying to calm her rapid breathing. She couldn't believe what she had just done. First, why did she tell him the truth? Second, why was she acting like a teenager? She hated it when her emotions overcame her like this, especially when they threatened to affect her work.

She wasn't sure whether she wanted him to come after her or not. There was still a light in the sitting room window, so he hadn't gone to bed yet. What was he thinking?

She glimpsed him looking out the window and she knew he had seen her car still parked out in front. Would he come out to look for her?

Shortly after, she heard a door close and saw him walk over to her car, peering inside. When he didn't see her there, he turned around, obviously searching for her. She didn't think he could spot her in the shadow of the small alcove where she was standing.

His shoulders slumped, and he walked back to the door, shaking his head.

'This is silly, Sandra,' she told herself. 'Go back and face him. The worst he can do is say no.'

"Gerry?" she whispered, leaving her hiding place.

"Sandra," he said with relief. "I'm so glad you didn't go. Come back inside?"

She nodded and followed him back to the place she had fled so suddenly only a few minutes ago.

"I'm sorry, Gerry," she began, "but I –" She was interrupted as he gathered her in his arms and kissed her, softly at first then with more passion as she opened her lips to him and they began to explore each other for the first time.

When they finally broke the kiss, she stared at him in shock. "Gerry – was it really you?"

He smiled, caressing her face as he brushed her hair behind her ears. "Absolutely, and I have the receipts to prove it."

Her mind went back to the beginning and the first flowers she had received, along with their meanings. "You were serious about the flowers? What they meant?"

Holding both her hands in his, he escorted her back to the sofa and they sat down together. "I've loved you for a long time, Sandra, I just didn't realize it at first. A few weeks ago, you came over here after pasta night –"

"When I was drunk, you mean? I don't remember it."

"You said you fancied me."

She could feel herself blushing. "I had a feeling I'd said something that night," she admitted with a laugh, "but since you didn't act any differently towards me, I thought I must be wrong."

"I was hoping that the secret admirer bit would bring it into the open."

"And I thought I had a stalker!"

"That worried me, that did, so I had to do something a little different." He chuckled. "I didn't expect you to ask me to go with you to the play."

"You hid it very well; I didn't suspect anything yesterday when I asked you. Besides, I had my mind made up that it couldn't possibly be you."

"Cor blimey, Sandra, why would you think that?"

"I guess, well, I haven't had much success with relationships, have I?"

"And I have? I think we go together well."

"Yeah, with my record I would have been the person you cheated on your wives with," she laughed.

"No, you wouldn't," he said seriously, "because those women were just for fun. A little on the side, y'know? You're different."

"I am?" she whispered.

"Not half! How can I show you that?"

"Kiss me again."

His hand went behind her head and tangled in her hair, slowly drawing her closer to him as he leaned back on the sofa. She nestled against him, one hand on his chest, and he tenderly kissed her, exploring her lips before deepening the kiss.

When they parted, she smiled. "That was a good start, Gerry. But don't stop while you're on a roll."