"Do you mind if I...?" Van talked through his teeth as he held the cigarette with his mouth and waved the lighter with his hand.

"No, it's fine."

He took a long exhale, twisting his mouth to let out the smoke through the crack of his window.

"When did you start smoking?"

"Can't really tell. Ma mates say I've had a cig in my mouth since I was two, bunch of apes they are." I laughed, looking ahead. His accent was more pronounced now. "So what do you do?"

"Me? I work at a dentist's office while I go to school."

"That sounds fun."

"I hate it honestly."

He pulled to a stop, glancing at me. "You hate your work?"

"It is work."

"Alright, fair enough. So sixth form huh?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Damn, sorry. Always forget they call it differently here. University?" He smiled at me. Good god, his smile was amazing.

"Oh yeah. I'm in my third year."

"Studying?"

"Public affairs."

"Interesting. Hope to be on the radio?"

"I'd love to, but who knows."

"I'd listen to your station any time." He pulled to a stop at a red light.

"What about you?"

"School was never my thing. Always ditching class to go play a gig somewhere. The teacher went mad whenever I came back, telling me she'd report me to the head and get me kicked out. I saved her the trouble and dropped out instead." He laughed, pushing his hair back.

"How'd you end up here? Oh, turn left here."

"Well I ended up coming to New York for a bit, friend of my dad's had a couple of connections to some agents down at Columbia records. Just me in that giant city got a bit lonely, so I got the lads to come with me, and Larry. He's my best mate and our manager. Would've been class if you met him, but he had to head back home for a bit. Maybe some other time."

"This is my street." I pointed and he drove. "That's really great. You and your friends are really talented and I'm sure you'll make it big in no time."

"Thanks love." I felt my face warm, but he kept talking. "I love being back home but coming to the states is really an experience. Now that Bob found his girl here I'm sure he'll want to be coming back. And I'd love to stay here awhile while we get the band going."

"Of course that makes sense. Get a solid fan base going here. You oughtta see what other places you can play at around here."

"Good plan. That's what I was thinking."

"That's me." I pointed to the apartment complex. He slowed to a stop at the curb, turning the engine off.

"What gentleman would let a lady walk alone to her door?" He slid out, hurrying to open the door for me. I grinned as I slid out. This boy was definitely charming.

He opened the front door for me, letting it close behind him.

I tried to remember if the place was at least a little cleaned up. My roommate had gone to visit family and it was just me for now, so hopefully it wasn't as messy.

But it's not like Van was for sure coming in. He'd probably just walk me to my door and leave. We walked up the stairs, and just hearing him breathe behind me was nerve inducing. I hadn't really interacted with guys much, even at college.

"Alright." I stopped at my door, fumbling with the keys, even more since there was an attractive lad behind me. Geez, those words really were easy to slip into your vocabulary.

"Would you like some water or anything?" I turned to look at Van, breaking the silence.

Water? We'd just left a bar for god's sakes. Oh man.

But he didn't bat an eye. "Sure."I walked in and fumbled for the light switch. He bumped into me from behind. His body only pressed against mine for a second but it was enough for me to feel a blush creeping onto my face.

I flipped the light switch on, hoping my reddening wasn't as apparent. "I'll be back."

He followed me into the kitchen though, leaning against the counter as I raided the cupboard for glasses. "Thanks." His fingers brushed against mine as he accepted the glass. I seemed to be touching him at every second now.

"No problem." I drank my water in two gulps, trying to cool down a little.

"Nice place by the way."

"Thank you. I have a roommate but she's not here so."

"Awesome, more space for you huh?"

"Yeah, but it gets lonely sometimes."

"Well I'm here now so you don't have to be."

I smiled. "Thank you. I don't want to keep you though. I know you're supposed to go back to your friends."

"Nah, they're probably too wasted to tell the time. For all they know I only came and dropped you off. But I can't just let a beautiful girl like you get lonely in her apartment."

Ohmygod. I looked him in the eye. "Is that so?"

"Indeed it is. I may come off as brash or blunt, but that's just the way I am. Life's too short to miss out on chances. And in this case, leaving without your number and a promise to see you soon."

This had to be some sort of joke.

I mean, Van was Van and I was just some girl he'd met an hour ago. And try as I might of not doing so, I might have given off the impression of being dull and not having much to say.

"I...you just met me."

"Yeah, I know. But I feel like I'd really really really like to get to know you more. But only if you want to of course." He set the glass down, leaning against the counter and crossing his arms.

"I want to get to know you more, I really do." Fuck it. Life was too short.

"Perfect. And if you want to get to know me more, just ask me questions. I'm an open book for your reading pleasure." He smiled again, crossing his legs.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Van wasted no time in answering everything I asked him. We went back and forth like it was a professional interview, sitting in the living room facing each other on opposite ends of the couch. He always leaned forward when he talked though, letting his hands fall inches from mine.

I studied his face while he talked, making constant eye contact which he didn't bother to break. His words were lively, accenting some stories with continuous hand gestures.

And I answered his questions, at first only trying to seem appealing, and then really telling him the truth, even if it seemed weird or dull.

He asked me so many questions I slowly grew out of trying to shorten answers or give vague half truths, instead letting the entirety of my honest answer pour forth from my mouth like my life depended on it.

"My parents own a little bed and breakfast and that's where I spent the my childhood, figuring out the business. I'm sure they would've loved if I'd taken over for them, but I wanted to do something else with my life. I always think about them though, I promised my mum a Jacuzzi when I made it big. That's the first thing I'm gonna buy when any sort of profit comes through." He looked so sincere it was endearing.

"That's so sweet. Buy her a huge jacuzzi, like those big wooden outdoor ones."

"Good plan. You should help me pick it out."

"I'd love to. I've never been in a jacuzzi."

"Me neither. I guess my mum did though. She's in love with the idea of owning one."

I laughed, trying to discreetly hide a yawn.

"Are you tired?"

"A little bit. I don't even know what time it is."

"It is..2 am."

"I have to go to work at 8."

"Don't go if you hate it."

"I hate my job but at least it pays the rent." I stood up, stretching. When I looked down Van was still sitting there, smiling up at me. "What?"

"I'm glad you went with Talia. Even though I know you're very cautious and would never do that. It was just very nice to meet someone like you."

"It was nice to meet someone like you too Van McCann." I teased, feeling completely comfortable with him now.

"I like how my name sounds coming out of your mouth."

"I like that you like it. But I have to go to sleep, I'm sorry." I laughed lightly.

He stood up, suddenly grabbing my hands in between his. His slender cool fingers wrapping around mine was an entirely new experience. "Make it up to me later. I'll let you know."

"Ok. Be careful and drive safe please." I followed him to the door, standing in front of it while watching him leave.

"With the promise of seeing you later? I'll drive under the speed limit and stop at every yellow light."

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