Evan almost jumped out of her skin at the sound of Pierre’s voice.

“Sorry, sorry,” he apologized.

“I didn’t hear you,” she nervously laughed.

He joined her.

“My name is Pierre and I’ll be your waiter tonight,” he repeated.

“Can you give us a minute?” Serena asked.

“Sure. I’ll be back.”

Pierre disappeared.

Serena looked at Evan and could see her heart pounding.

“Are you okay?” she asked squeezing the girl’s hand.

Evan swallowed the lie she had prepared to tell. This was Serena, her friend. She would want to know her true feelings.

“I thought I would be okay… with this,” she gulped, “I wanted this…”

“Wanted?” Serena asked noticing the use of past tense.

“I, uh, can’t handle this… all of this,” Evan said looking around the restaurant.

Serena felt Evan’s hand begin to shake.

“Ca…ca…can we leave?” Evan stuttered.

“C’mon.”

Serena stood and pulled Evan to her feet. She guided the girl though the maze of tables and chairs back to the front door.

“Serena,” Walter called out when he saw the pair leave.

*****

“Where are you staying?” Serena asked standing outside hailing a cab.

No answer.

“Evan?”

Serena turned to the curb where she left the girl standing and saw her doubled over. Struggling.

Running quickly to her side, Serena asked, “What is it? What’s wrong?”

Evan stood erect and gasped for air.

“Can’t…can’t catch my…my breathe.”

Her breathing starting becoming more hurried. Serena lifted Evan’s face up into hers trying to make her focus.

“Deep breathes. Like this,” Serena instructed taking the breathes with her.

Evan’s nerves were back full force. The realization of the date with Serena brought all her fears to the surface. Her fear of not being good enough for Serena. Her fears of not being mature enough for Serena. Would she be able to handle being in a relationship with someone who has had more than her one? Evan was afraid of the prospect of Serena wanting to go to a level she had never been to before. All that thinking made her struggle more.

Serena saw this and did the only thing she could think of the bring Evan back to her.

The supple kiss was solid and demanding (of her focus). Evan forgot about her fears and fell into the osculation meeting Serena’s lips with her own pressure. The distraction of it centered her mind and allowed her feel the moment.