Shadows In Durango

*****Sofia's POV*****

My head was spinning with Vincent's sudden proposal for a date. After everything that had happened, this was the last thing I expected. "You actually want to take me out on a real date?" I repeated, almost in disbelief.

"Yes, a real date. No drama, no fights. Just you and me, getting to know each other better since you do live here now after all and it seems that you affect me in more ways than I would sometimes like to admit..." Vincent trails off, his tone sincere and flirtatious.

I took a moment to process his words. Despite the whirlwind of emotions I had experienced with him, I found myself nodding my head at the idea.

"Alright, Vincent sure. A date it is." I respond gently, intrigued by the idea of going out with him formally.

Despite how hot and cold he often was with me, something about this excited me. He was dangerous, mysterious and deep down had proven himself to be a softy...

As soon as I agreed, Vincent's eyes lit up with a mix of relief and excitement. "Great. Be ready for five and wear something nice." He gave me a charming smile before heading back inside, leaving me to process what had just happened in the back yard alone.

I watch his large back stride off, realising that he had won me over once again. He wanted a date and he got one, despite how he had acted last night, I still fell weak at the knees and agreed to go out with him tonight!

Damn it! Maybe I was actually a desperate whore... first trying to sleep with Daryl and now agreeing to a date with Vincent... who was I becoming?!

Shaking my head in disbelief, I pull out my phone and quickly hammer down on the keys to text Emma, asking her to meet me upstairs in my room.

While heading back inside and upstairs undetected and waiting for Emma, I paced back and forth, trying to wrap my head around the turn of events.

A date with Vincent was the last thing on my cards, what the hell was I thinking? He calls me a whore, says a quick apology and I agree to a date? Was I mad?!

Just as I started to doubt my decision, Emma burst into my room, her eyes wide with curiosity as she quickly closes the door over behind her.

"What's going on? Your text sounded urgent, did he upset you again? He needs to quit acting like a big baby!" Emma jumps to my defence instantly which makes me chuckle.

"Vincent asked me out on a date tonight," I blurted out, my voice a mix of excitement, apprehension and anxiety.

Emma's jaw instantly dropped at my words. "No fucking way! Well his attitude seems to have taken a turn for the better, damn I didn't expect this from him! That's huge, Sofia! How do you feel about it? What did you say?" Emma rambles, needing to know the finer details as I slump down on to the edge of the bed.

"I don't even know how to feel about it. I mean, I did agree to go, but after everything that happened last night, I fear that I jumped in a little too soon. What if he thinks he can just take advantage of me now after I forgave him so fast?!" I confessed, biting my lip and sharing my thoughts out loud.

Had I made a mistake with this one? I didn't want to become vulnerable to him...

Emma shook her head as a wide grin stretched across her face, clearly thrilled by the news unlike the nerves I was now facing.

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"It is obvious to anyone with eyes that Vincent likes you Sofia, he just doesn't know how to process his feelings clearly yet. But asking you on a date is an amazing step for him, but only if you want to go out with him that is? No pressure! But you will need to look absolutely stunning tonight to show him how amazing you are if you do go through with it and I have just the dress for you to wear if you want to borrow it?" She suddenly dashes to her packed bag across the room and pulls out a beautiful short red dress with the tags still on.

"What's the worst that could happen? He did apologise for last night and I believed that he was being sincere... it's only a little date isn't it? What's the worst that can happen?" I battle with my thoughts as Emma agrees with me. "You have nothing to lose, I think you should give it a shot." Emma nods, smiling, as I sigh and decide to trust my friends judgement.

She's right, a date was the least I could agree to after he had let me live here for free.

"Are you sure I can borrow that? The tags are still on it and it looks really expensive," I say, moving towards her to touch the soft fabric that she was holding, hesitating as I took the dress from her to hold it against myself in front of the mirror. It does look really pretty...

"Of course, I'm sure! What's mine is yours! Now let's get you ready. We don't have much time, go shower and I'll fix your hair for you!" she replied, already setting up her blow dryer and other hair tools as she ushered me into the bathroom. I had plenty of time, and so I spent some lengthy minutes in the shower washing my hair and shaving my legs to make them silky smooth to fit the elegant dress. I scrubbed my teeth and wrapped a towel around my body before heading back out to find Emma waiting for me on the bed.

As Emma moved to blow-dry my hair into bouncy curls, I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt creeping up on me as my mind raced to process the situation at hand.

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"Emma, I feel a little weird about this. Just a few days ago, I went on an ice cream date with Daryl remember? It feels wrong to be going out with Vincent now - he called me a whore and that's how I'm going to look after going on dates with them both." I chew my lip, picking at the skin on the side of my thumb nervously.

Daryl had wanted to sleep with me last night and the worst part was, I agreed...

If he hadn't have called it a night then I would have experimented with him for sure...

So how would he feel about this date with Vincent now too? I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings and I felt somewhat trapped between the pair of them - liking qualities in them both which only made matters more confusing.

Emma paused, giving me a thoughtful look. "Sofia, you're not committed to anyone, you're single. It's perfectly fine to explore your options. Besides, Vincent and Daryl are both adults and from an outside perspective, it seems that they have already both been sharing you thus far. They can handle it." Emma laughs me off, bringing a more lighthearted tone in to the room.

"I just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings," I admitted, feeling a bit torn over it all.

"You're not hurting anyone by going on a simple date. You're figuring out what you want, and that's important for your own happiness. Plus, it's just a date. You'll know how you really feel more after tonight depending on how it goes," Emma said, her voice reassuring.

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "You're right. I just need to see where things go. But what if I enjoy my date with Vincent? How will I compare two good dates?!" I groan, as Emma smiles and continues to work on my hair.

"Don't sweat it, you're overthinking it! Now, let's just focus on making you look fabulous." Emma grinned as I sucked in a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

I can do this...