An Unexpected Turn

I can't believe I'm going to dinner with Niall. I sit on the sofa in our room waiting to leave. I wasn't really prepared to go to dinner with a celebrity thus didn't have a big choice on what to wear. Thankfully I packd a little black dress and I paired it with Hannah's red heels and a red clutch.

"You have to text me as soon as you can!" Hannah demands as I wait.
"I will, Hannah. I'm really excited to go to dinner with Niall but I can't help but wonder why not Harry." It was wrong to think this, but if I wanted to charm any of the boys, it would be Harry.
"Don't think about that! Just enjoy this opportunity and forget about Harry. Niall could be very charming." Hannah puts on a dreamy face and smiles but is startled upon the ring of our room phone.

Melanie: Hello?
Front Desk: Good evening, a car is waiting for Melanie downstairs.
Melanie: Thank you, be right down.

"OK, moment of truth. Wish me luck!" I tell Hannah as I check myself in the mirror.
"Don't forget to text me!" she exclaims as I open the door.

I wink back at Hannah and head on my way.

-.-.-

After driving for about 20 minutes I start to get anxious. I ask the driver where we are going as I thought we were having dinner close by.

"We're driving to Beverly Hills. About 15 more minutes." The driver says, glancing at me through the rear view mirror. I sit back on my seat, feeling nervous.

Surely after about 15 minutes we arrived at The Ivy and it looked incredible. The driver went around to open my door. As soon as I step out, Niall is waiting with a huge smile on his face.

"You look beautiful, Mel. I hope it's OK if I call you that." He says extending his hand for me to grab.
I grab his hand and say, "Thank you and yes, it's OK."

We head inside where we're greeted by the hostess and two glasses of champagne for while we wait. The wait isn't long at all and we are quickly seated. The restaurant is beautiful, decorated with plenty of fresh and colorful flowers.

"Do you like wine or would you rather keep drinking champagne?" Niall asks looking a little nervous.
"I think champagne is fine. You seem nervous." I state hoping to not make him uncomfortable.
"Sorry, I am a little nervous. I haven't asked a girl out in a long time." Niall responds, running a hand through his blonde locks.
"Don't be nervous! If anything, I should be the nervous one. I wasn't really expecting this." I am most definitely blushing.
"There was something about you when I saw you at the show. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to get to know you."

As I'm looking at the menu, I can feel Niall's eyes on me. To be honest, with everything that has happened, I haven't been out with anyone either so it felt nice being here. I still couldn't shake the feeling of wishing Harry was the one sitting across from me. It wasn't fair to Niall at all.

"Tell me more about yourself, Mel." Finally he breaks the silence.
"Well, I'm a native Texan living in Portland. Moved here at 18 and met Hannah during the university's orientation day. We decided to rent an apartment together to avoid expensive dorms. Picked up the job at the bookstore thankfully. I enjoy reading, music, and love watching football. My major is Psychology and no I'm not analyzing you right now." I wink at him. I always get asked if I'm analyzing someone when I say my major is psychology.
"Wow." Niall says with a smirk on his face. "Well, I think you just became my favorite person."
"Oh yeah? Why so?" At that moment our food arrives and we're poured more champagne.
"Well, you love football. That's amazing and very attractive." He says raising his flute and I feel myself blush a little.
"It's your turn, tell me about you."
Niall frowns a bit before answering. "The downside of being a celebrity is that not much about you is kept secret. I don't even know what all you have already heard about me."
"That doesn't matter. You tell me what you feel is the most important for me to know!"
"Okay, well, I'm Irish and very proud of it. I enjoy playing the guitar and I love all sports particularly football and golf. I also enjoy playing them. I love nature but also enjoy staying in to relax. I like to think I'm funny." He says while playing with his fingers.
"Interesting." I smile and begin eating my food.

For the rest of the evening we talked about football, their tour, and I shared what Texas is like. It was easy talking to Niall, he made me feel very comfortable and he was so sweet with me. After dinner he walked me to the car that was going to take me back to my hotel.

“I had a really great time, Mel.” He says while smiling.
“I had a great time, too.”
“Would you mind keeping I touch with me while I’m gone?”
“That would be nice.”
“You’re an incredible person, I hope we can talk like tonight very soon.”
“Me, too.”

And I wasn’t lying….

On my way back to the hotel I text Hannah as promised.

Melanie: Dinner was nice. :)
Hannah: About time you texted! So did he kiss you??
Melanie: Of course not, Hannah! He's a gentleman.
Hannah: Well, then are you in love with him now??
Melanie: You're so silly.
Hannah: What? I know it's just a matter of time...

Could she be right?

Upon arriving at the hotel, the lady at the reception stopped me before going past her desk and into the elevators.

“Excuse me ma’am, are you Melanie?” she says with her index finger pointing up.
“I am.” I confirm as I walk towards her.
“I need to give something to you.” She walks away and into a door that was behind her.
She comes out with a giant bouquet of red roses. There must have been more than 100 roses.
“These came for you a few minutes ago.” She tells me with a huge smile on her face before saying, “These are beautiful, you’re one lucky girl!”
I smile and take the note they came with.

Melanie,
Thank you for the great time I had tonight. You deserve this and more.
Niall

“Can someone take these up to my room?” I ask the lady, probably blushing.

Notes

I have two more written chapters that I have to proofread before posting. I *might* be able to update again today. If not, Monday it shall be. I am not your typical fanfic writer, I am older than a lot of other writers and I am married and with kids. It does prove difficult to be able to get on my laptop to post. I do most of my writing on my tablet or phone.

If you're reading, give me some feedback, vote, and subscribe! It makes me happy. :)