Page 29 of Forever Player

She goes on to tell me how to sear the steak in the pan while adding in butter, garlic and thyme. I also get some of the vegetables grilling on another pan.

“What are you doing for an appetizer?” Maddie asks next.

“I’m not making a four-course meal,” I deadpan.

“You said you wanted to impress,” she reminds. “Did you get any type of vegetable to make a salad? Any seafood?”

“I didn’t get lettuce or anything, but I got nice Roma tomatoes and fresh mozzarella,” I reply.

“Ooh, that’s perfect. Can you find a balsamic vinaigrette?” she asks.

“I can do better. I bought a ready-made salad dressing and I got some fresh basil.”

“Perfect. So you know how to line that up and drizzle some dressing down the middle, but not too much. It needs to look pretty,” she instructs. “And what about dessert?”

“I can’t bake a cake,” I say.

“Did you get any type of flour?” she asks.

“Now you’re pushing it. I’m not trying to poison her. Maybe I can make chicken breast,” I offer.

She bursts into laughter. “No woman is eating more meat for dessert. You’ll just have to charm her.”

“That isn’t going to be so easy,” I reply.

“Does she think you were a mistake?” Maddie asks.

“Excuse me?” I retort, insulted.

“You know what I mean. I’m sure you’ve kissed someone and then regretted it,” she clarifies.

“We aren’t discussing this now,” I cut off the conversation. “Thanks for your help with dinner. Give Ash a hug for me and say hi to Kaleb.”

“Will do and take care. I hope things work out the way you want them to,” she says oddly.

“Me too,” I reply.

We end the call, and I get to work making sure the steaks are cooking just right. I forgot to ask Willow how she likes her steak so I decide on medium well. I quickly slice the tomatoes and mozzarella, thinking how easy it is and how nice it looks, and I layer with some fresh basil.

I find a tablecloth in a cabinet and set the table. I even find a lighter and light the candles on the table. Then I worry it’s too much and I am going to scare her away, but she comes downstairs with a freshly bathed Maylee in her arms. She places her in the high chair and then pauses when she takes in the table.

“Did I go overboard?” I ask jokingly because I want to lighten the mood.

“Um, I need to feed Maylee her cereal,” she says instead of answering, and yup, I’ve freaked her out. It’s okay, I will work this situation slowly.

“Steak should be ready in about ten. How do you like yours?” I ask.

“Medium well is good,” she replies. She gets to mixing Maylee’s cereal.

“It seems to be a lot easier when there is two of us taking care of her. I don’t know how you did it on your own,” I observe.

“It was hard but I managed,” she replies.

I get the plates and cutlery set up and place the salad on the table. I make two separate plates and I put them so we are sitting across from each other. Maylee finishes eating and Willow gives her a teething toy to hold on to.

I walk around the table and hold out her chair. She smiles and sits.

“I don’t remember you being so gentlemanly,” she jokes.

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