Second Chance Date [locked to Lauren Order]
There was all the possibility in the world that Andy would screw this up. This was bordering on an actual relationship now. In actual relationships Andy had never been anything but a screw up. Usually he would try too hard and throw all his eggs in one proverbial basket. If that didn't kill the relationship, Andy's tendency to open up too much too
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It wasn't a Pretty Woman moment with bitchy sales girls but she was definitely feeling out of place amongst the designer clad stick thin perfection milling around her. Yes, my clothes were purchased at Wal-mart. This top was even on sale. 60% off. She stuck it out though and spent the grooling 25 minutes going through racks until she found the perfect dress.
When he got there, she was still running around trying to get ready. Attempting to tame the madness that was her hair took longer than she expected. But by the time he knocked the second time, she was grabbing her duffel and ready to go.
Pulling the door open, relieved to see he wasn't exactly casually dressed, she smiled at him and gave him a minute to take in her efforts, hoping it would be a good response. Her off the shoulder white mini dress was paired with funky silver heels and matching silver earrings.
"Hey."
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He held up the tickets and rocked on his heels, once again hoping his idea wasn't too elaborate. He grinned. "What we're doing tonight is definitely not something I've ever done with anyone else before."
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Lauren took a look at the tickets and smiled at him a little confused. "We're going on a train? That's cool. Where are we going?"
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He chuckled at her reaction. He had expected her to be confused. "Yeah, I told you, it's several hours away. 4 hours by train. Don't worry, the big date part is at our destination, the train is just for fun." He explained the semi private compartment and dinner deal. "You'll see when we get there. I want to surprise you."
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Surprises were hard for her. She was always the kid that would search every square inch of her house looking for Christmas presents. It go so bad she started checking Joe's house before her dad put his foot down. She was torn between teasing the answer out of him and letting him have his moment and surprising her when they got there. But 4 hours! Hopefully, he had incredible will power.
"So 4 hours of our own compartment?"
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He glanced as his back pack in the back seat before taking off. He was proud of himself for holding it in as long as he had; if she managed to glance inside his bag the surprise would be ruined.
"Yep. It's random I know but I wanted to be random. I didn't want it to be ordinary. When I saw the train was going to arrive just in time I couldn't help it."
He pulled into the train depot and paid a few bucks for overnight parking. They were told where to go to wait for the train and when they got there other people were already in line before them. Andy put his arm around her shoulders and smiled.
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Her eyes appraised his outfit again and she smiled. Her stomach got all fluttery when she thought about the effort he put into his ensamble. "You really do look hella sexy. It's almost a shame we'll be on a train. I kinda want to show you off."
She looked odd, all dolled up, carrying her green Army issue duffel as they made their way through the station. Even in 3 inch heels, she was still only 5'6" so she wanted to stay close so she didn't lose him. Thankfully, she'd had enough practice walking in high heeled boots that her shoes didn't slow her down at all. Though she teetered occasionally on the skinny stiletto heel.
Andy's arm went over her shoulders so naturally that it amazed her that they'd only known each other a few weeks. Or that they'd only been sleeping together about a week. It was so comfortable to be with him. A fact that thrilled and terrified her. That seemed to be happening a lot where he was concerned.
Turning so she was facing him, she slid her arms around his waist and looked up at him. "In case I forget later, thank you for all this."
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"You'll get to show me off, though no one's gonna notice me next you." He looked her up and down again. Damn she cleaned up good.
Andy provided support when she needed it, he thought the heels were sexy and would never let her fall or get separated. He smiled down at her. It was unbelievable how easy it was with her. This was the least awkward he'd ever been on a date in his memory. Or maybe he was just convincing himself that.
"You're welcome. I hope you enjoy all of this. Our second chance date." He leaned down and kissed her softly.
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Her duffel bag slipped from her shoulder, hitting the floor, before her arms snaked around his neck. She was trying to keep it PG. They were in public and she didn't want to be gross about it but her body pressed into his and she wanted to be closer. "Mmm I'm sure I will." Hazel eyes found his green ones and as her hands played in the short hair on the back of his neck, she got lost in that moment. So much so that when they started shouting that they could board, she snapped out of it and blushed as she became suddenly aware of the people around her again.
"Guess that's us" She chuckled and picked up her bag.
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"Hmm?" He moaned into the kiss letting it heat up more than he ordinarily would in public. The world seemed to vanish in that train station moment, cheesy as it was. Right as he was about to kiss her again, an older gentleman elbowed him in the ribs. "You kids coming or what?"
"Oh, right, thank you!" Andy grabbed Lauren's hand and they walked together into the Train, and were directed to compartment 13. The compartment was a like a bigger version of this with a bigger table they would eventually be fed on and a fogged sliding glass door to the isle of the train. The glass door was shaded with a curtain for a notion of privacy. Andy plopped down and tossed his bag under the opposite seat.
"You coming in?"
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Letting him take the lead, she tried to keep up with his excited pace as they entered the train then navigated down the halls to their compartment. It was nicer than she imagined. "Oh man, this is great!" She exclaimed as she tossed her bag with his and dropped herself on his lap. "Mr. Longbottom, you really out did yourself."
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"Yeah, isn't it fun?" Andy was thrilled, he was definitely afraid it would be lame but he was proved wrong. He wrapped his arms around Lauren's shoulders. "Thank you. Wait until you see where we're going. You're gonna love it. I wasn't sure about the train but the rest.." He grinned and kissed her.
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She nodded just before the kiss. It was exciting. Not just the trip, which she was still determined to get the details about, but the idea that someone would go to so much trouble for her. When she said she wanted to do something he'd never done with anyone, she figured it would be something simple. Jet skiing or take her to a park or something. Something local. She didn't expect a trip with a train and a tie.
Slowly, she broke the kiss but stayed close. "I love the train idea. I've never taken a real train before. I've only ever taken the Amtrak or the Metro. So thank you."
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He pushed a stray hair behind her ear. "I've ridden trains before but never like this one. I've done or been where we're going either. And never on a date. And never with you." He sincerely hoped she didn't find this all silly. Maybe he should have just taken her hiking or something but the side of Andy who wanted to impress Lauren was still there.
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Her smile grew at the little gesture. Such a small thing shouldn't be so profound but everything with him seemed to be. It was just that it was too tender for a fuck buddy. True, they'd talked and they were on a real date proving that it wasn't just screwing around but Lauren wasn't the quickest out the gate. Anything involving her personal life needed to be spelled out for her. "Sounds like a lot of firsts for a second chance date. I'm glad. I want everything about tonight to be brand new. A clean slate, you know?"
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When her smile grew, his did too. It was so silly in a way, but he didn't notice that at all. He was just enjoying actually taking Lauren on a date and convincing himself that it definitely was different from any of the other times they had hung out. It was new territory. Possibly very exciting new territory. "Exactly. We're us, we're not anyone else so we shouldn't go on just any date."
Someone passed their compartment in the isle, making Andy remember part of his plan. "I've got to go use the toilet, I'll be right back." He slipped out from under her and grabbed his bag, closing the door as he exited. He wasn't sure how'd he explain taking the bag with him, but he'd figure that out later. He made his way to the area of the train where the waiters were hanging out until they had to start serving. Andy found one of them and paid him 30 bucks to slip a fake menu inside of Lauren's, one that Andy prepared that advertised dishes containing crazy wild animals like elk and moose and yes, mountain lion. It probably amused Andy more than it would other people, but Andy was sure he'd at least get an eye roll, if not a laugh from his date.
Quickly he made his way back to their compartment and sat next to Lauren. "Sorry about that."
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