Erik reluctantly pulls away from Rosaline, after experiencing what he knows was undoubtedly the best chaste kiss of his life. Obviously, that was quite a huge proclamation for Erik to make, but deep down he knew he never wanted to experience a kiss like that again, unless it was with Rosaline. Opening his eyes, he sees that Rosaline has developed a deep blush on her cheeks and is keeping her gaze as far from Erik as possible. Fortunately, he doesn't sense she isn't looking at him due to regret, but rather because she suddenly seems shy or surprised by her own actions in sealing the kiss between them. Keen to make her feel comfortable again, Erik takes her pale hand in his and places it on his thigh.

"Are you okay?" Erik calmly asks.

Rosaline doesn't answer his question in words, but instead briefly nods her head in acknowledgment. If he was being completely honest with himself, Erik wasn't prepared for what would happened if Rosaline wasn't forthcoming about her feeling toward him now that they had shared a kiss. He wasn't sure what to ask her, or how to behave around her now. He didn't want to make a mistake that could cost him a potential future with Rosaline, but at the same time, the longer they both sat in silence the more pressure was being put on them to respond to the current situation.

"I apologise if I overstepped." Erik begins, before Rosaline cuts him off with a worried expression.

"Not at all."

"In fact, I liked it." Rosaline quietly admits.

"Then, correct me if I'm wrong, but I sort of got the impression that you weren't as interested in the kiss as I was?" Erik retorts.

"No, it's not that. I was as equally interested." Rosaline claims.

"But?"

"But, it's hard for me to explain it. Just know that it's not you, it's me." She sadly responds.

Whilst staring at her side profile, Erik suddenly comes to the realisation that Rosaline might in fact be dealing with some of her own demons. Given by her youthfulness, innocence and bright spirit, he can hardly guess as to how or why she might be affected by some deep and unsettling personal issues. Also, he didn't even want to begin to consider what she was doing to resolve said issues, if she was even attempting to do so in the initial instance. With these troubled thoughts in mind, Erik attempts to convince her that she should never feel alone and if anything, she is more than welcome to confide in him.

"I hope you know Rosaline that if you're ever dealing with something that might seem too hard for you to handle alone that I'm here for you."

"And I appreciate that Erik I do, but just as you told me over the phone on Monday night, one day in the future and in my own time, I'll tell you about what has been troubling me, but for now it's not important enough to share."

Erik's not entirely convinced by Rosaline's words nor her expresssiom that follows, but for the sake of not wanting to ruin their date, he bites his tongue and offers her a warm smile and understanding look. Erik doesn't believe he'll ever be able to not want to help Rosaline, especially now that he knows for certain she is dealing with her own worries, but just as Erik pointed out himself, if he wasn't prepared to share his entire life with Rosaline yet then he couldn't expect the same from her.

"How would you feel about a walk and some gelato?" Erik offers, in the hopes of alleviating the heavy mood between them.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Rosaline genuinely accepts.

Just before leaving the grounds of the art gallery, Erik asks Rosaline to follow closely behind him when driving, as he knows of a great little spot close by to where they currently are where they can purchase some gelato and enjoy a light walk. She easily obliges and within a quarter of a hour, both Erik and Rosaline find themselves staring at a wide variety of delectable frozen desserts behind a glass counter.

"What do you feel like?" Erik asks, while smiling down at Rosaline. He considers for a moment how childlike she appears when looking at all of the choices in front of her, when he remembers that she is in fact still only a young adult.

"One of everything?" She giggles.

"I can make that happen." Erik states but soon joins in on her laughter when he catches her looking at his hand that is reaching into his wallet. She playfully smacks his hand away and narrows her eyes at him in a less than serious manner.

"You wouldn't dare." She challenges but is smiling all through her words, as if almost hoping Erik proves her wrong.

"Want to try me?" Erik retaliates with a smooth raise of his brow.

"Maybe some other time." Rosaline finally says, with the tiniest hint of a smirk on her gorgeous mouth.

Erik couldn't be more delighted to see that in the aftermath of a slightly difficult conversation, he and Rosaline were able to move forward as if nothing had happened between them to begin with. After paying for each of their gelato cones, Erik steps out of the small shop and takes the initiative in wrapping his hand around Rosaline's. She meets Erik's gaze and smiles an adoring and shy smile. Erik isn't sure he'll ever be able to get over Rosaline's nervousness around him, but what he knows for sure is that he finds the quality of hers completing endearing. Entwining their fingers together, Erik leads them along a path which is paved by gravel, leaves and shares some of the greenest willow trees he has ever seen.

"Tell me more about your family." Rosaline asks after they have walked a fair way into the park.

"Well since you already know about Lucy, her husband Oliver and of course my beautiful niece Isabella, I'll tell you a little bit about my parents. My father, Elijah Silverstein worked as a solicitor for the firm Samson and Partners. There, he met my mother Nancy who was working as the personal assistant to the director of the company. They hit it off right away and within a year they married and have been in a loving, committed marriage ever since."

"That's lovely to hear. I've always liked the idea of finding your soul mate, settling down together and staying married to them for eternity. I can't imagine how lucky some people must be to fall in love more than once in their life."

"You're right, Lucy and I were very fortunate to have parents who had, for as long as I can remember, showed us what real loves looks like."

"Many of us can only ever dream of attaining a love like theirs." Rosaline almost sadly admits a short while later.

After finishing off their gelato cones and walking back through the park, Erik stops in front of Rosaline's Mini Cooper and watches as she timidly grasps her car keys in her hand. He so desperately wants to kiss her again but is also afraid he might trigger some bleak memories of hers. Stepping closer to her, he takes his chances and grabs a hold of her slim fingers in his.

"I had a wonderful time with you today Rosaline."

"So did I, it was spectacular. Thank you for the surprises and the gelato." She lightly chuckles.

Erik smiles in response but remains close to her in the hopes that if she does feel uncomfortable with what he was about to do, she would still have the opportunity to break away from his unrestricted hold on her. Luckily for Erik, Rosaline doesn't pull away from his grasp when he leans down and places a soft peck on her lips. Against his better judgments, he gently cups her cheeks in his calloused palms and offers her a more firmer kiss. Stunned by the sensation of her rosy lips against his, Erik can hardly believe it when Rosaline leans in even closer against his chest and returns his kiss with just as much interest and passion. Despite Rosaline being the first to break away from their sweet exchange, Erik can't help but smile at her in admiration. He sweeps a stray lock of silky hair away from her angelic face and for a minute, simply gazes at her for all that she is.

"When can I see you again?" Erik asks with an intrigued voice.

"Tomorrow?" Rosaline answers, almost as if she is unsure that the next day might be too soon before seeing Erik again. Fortunately for Erik, he doesn't believe tomorrow is soon enough.

"I suppose I can wait until then." He winks at Rosaline, causing her to blush profusely.

"I'll speak to you soon sweetheart, drive home safe." Erik carefully pleads, while closing her car door once she has made it inside.

Watching Rosaline drive away, Erik thinks about the strong bond he has developed with Rosaline in a relatively short period of time. He doesn't want to get ahead of himself in anyway, but he also knows exactly how he feels and more importantly, how Rosaline makes him feel. Stepping into his own car, Erik begins to brainstorm ideas for what he and Rosaline could do tomorrow.