Page 59 of January

She took Melinda’s hand and walked them through the house to the French glass doors that she pulled open to let Melinda walk through first. The doors led to a large, enclosedgarden with flowers that survived this climate, and the colors were bright and inviting. The greens of the grass and the one large willow tree that hung over half of the garden had Kyle never wanting to leave this spot.

“It’s gorgeous,” Melinda noted.

Kyle nodded over to the large table that would easily fit eight people and the umbrella over it, keeping the table protected from the sun. There was a rolling wet bar against the wall, with nothing inside the containers, but it looked antique and beautiful. The porch that they stood on was old stone that had been cleaned often, so it likely looked just how it did the day it had been put in.

“It might be my favorite spot in the city,” she shared. “It’s so quiet here.”

“God, it is.That’swhat it is: it’s quiet.” Melinda moved into Kyle, placing her head on her shoulder. “It’s beautiful, Kyle.”

“I was thinking we’d eat at the table, so sandwiches wouldn’t really work, would they?”

“If not sandwiches, what are you making?”

“Barbecue shrimp.”

“Youmake barbecue shrimp?”

“I can read the recipe. I bought the ingredients today.”

“You are surprising,” Melinda said, kissing Kyle’s cheek.

“And I was thinking that if you could get us to the front of the line, we could maybe have beignets when I walk you home.”

“Beignets, huh?”

“Is that okay?”

“That’s a lot of powdered sugar all over that sexy black shirt you’re wearing,” Melinda pointed out.

“You think it’s sexy?”

“Oh, definitely.” Melinda pulled back and winked. “And you’re on for those beignets, but only if I can help you cook.”

“I actually had this vision of you sitting out in the garden with a book or something, reading under the moonlight and lanterns, and then, we eat.”

“You did?”

“Yes. And it was pretty specific, so I think we should try to do that.”

“I didn’t bring a book. I only have flowers.” Melinda held them up.

“I’ll get those in water. Also, there are bookshelves filled with random books in the library. Go pick one out. I’ll join you in a few minutes.”

“Kyle?”

Kyle took the flowers from her.

“Yeah?”

“This is an amazing first date.” Melinda kissed her on the cheek again.

CHAPTER 16

“Did I mess it up?” Kyle asked.

“No, it’s great,” she replied, taking a sip of the Abita beer Kyle had bought earlier that day. “You’ve really never cooked this?”

“No,” Kyle said. “I’ve never had it, either.”

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