Dear Diary,

The concert was incredible. Not only did I enjoy my time with AJ, I was looking forward to my Italian lessons that he promised. I suspected that that song about loneliness was the perfect song for the two of us. We had both been so alone for so long but now we had each other. And we were finally learning this together…

Once the concert was over, we joined the many people waiting for cabs. We decided to wait a little while before trying to get a cab though since there were so many people around. While we were waiting we spotted a horse drawn carriage. We walked over that way and as I petted the horse’s muzzle, AJ spoke to the driver. It seemed that the driver had been waiting for his fare but they never showed up. Since he was already here and was headed back to a hotel close to ours he offered to drive us instead.

Ever the gentleman, AJ handed me into the carriage before settling in himself. We drove through Central Park and looked at the stars. I caught him looking down at me with a slight smile. Before I could ask he spoke up.

“You’re beautiful.” I leaned closer to him as he tightened his arm around my shoulders. We rode past some typical touristy sights but thankfully the driver didn’t comment on anything. He just let us be by ourselves. “I’m so glad to have found you Sarah.”

“I’m glad to have found you too. How did I get so lucky, AJ?” I asked as I caressed my fingers over his cheek.

“Well, I think that I am the lucky one.”

We stayed close to each other for the rest of the ride but all too soon we were back at our hotel. Still hand in hand, we quietly headed to our room. I knew which way things were going to be going and I have to admit that I was a touch nervous. I trust AJ completely but I still had to wonder how this relationship would go when thinking about my horrible track record with men.

I decided to let this night go it’s own direction without my over thinking things too much. AJ opened the door and I stepped into the room immediately noticing the flowers and a bottle on ice. I removed my wrap as AJ opened the bottle, which I noticed was sparkling apple cider.

“You didn’t have to get me flowers, AJ.”

“I know but I wanted to, Sarah,” he said as he loosely wrapped his arms around me from behind.

“Thank you for making this the best birthday I’ve ever had.”

“You deserve it.”

I smiled my thanks back over my shoulder as I pulled from his arms. “Let me get out of these shoes.”

“Okay,” he said after he dropped a light kiss on my cheek.

I walked into the bedroom and immediately kicked off my shoes. I pulled off my dress and put on my nightshirt. Even with all the clothes that I bought, I didn’t get any nightclothes. I once again reached for his t-shirt and slipped it over my head before I opened the door and spotted AJ sitting on the couch.

I stood there for a moment watching him. There was something about him as he sat there casually waiting for me. He had tossed his tux jacket over the back of the chair and had untied his tie. The ends were hanging down framing the open throat of his crisp white shirt. Even with this, what struck me the most were his bare feet. For some reason, that struck me as very vulnerable. I leaned against the doorframe waiting for him to notice me. I didn’t have to wait long.

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