Page 28 of From Fake Dates to Forever Goals

“Miss me already?” Ava teases when she answers, her voice light. I know she’s probably wondering why I’m calling her just a few hours later.

“Maybe,” I admit, feeling a grin tug at my lips. “But the real reason I’m calling is because I was wondering if you’d like to go on a date. A real one.”

She hesitates for a moment, and the silence on the line has my stomach in knots. Finally, she says, “I would love to go on a date with you.”

I exhale a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Great. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning around nine.”

Though we’ve been out together before, I want to give her an experience like no other. Something intimate and unique—a chance to truly connect. Over the past few days, I’ve learned so much about Ava, but I crave to know even more.

I plan a picnic for just the two of us at the city’s botanical gardens, one of the most serene spots I know. Its beauty leaves anyone who visits mesmerized, and I hope Ava will feel the same.

As we drive north the next morning, I notice her staring out the window, her eyes wide with wonder.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I ask, stealing a glance at her.

“It’s amazing. I never thought anything could be this mesmerizing,” she replies, her voice filled with awe.

“There’s a lot more ahead,” I say with a smile.

About an hour later, we arrive at the gardens. The last time I was here was for a friend’s wedding a couple of years ago. I promised myself I’d return, and I’m glad it’s with Ava.

She steps out of the car, taking in the view as I unload the Jeep. I’ve thought of everything, down to the umbrella, just in case.

After laying down the picnic mat, Ava takes a seat and gestures for me to join her. I unpack the basket, pulling out a bunch ofgrapes. Popping one into my mouth, I turn to her, holding the rest just out of her reach.

She smiles, reaching for them, but I raise them higher. Her expression shifts to mock disappointment, and I can’t help but chuckle. I lower them just enough for her to almost grab one before pulling them away again.

“Sebastian!” she laughs, making one last playful lunge.

Her face is now inches from mine, and the laughter fades. She’s so close I can feel her breath, and for a moment, the world around us disappears. I lean in, but before our lips meet, Ava suddenly looks up at the sky.

“I think it’s about to rain,” she says, breaking the spell.

I glance up, cursing under my breath. Out of nowhere, the bright day has darkened, and raindrops begin to fall. Ava stretches out her hand, letting the water collect in her palm. Instead of being upset, she looks delighted.

We grab the basket and head for the shelter of an old, sturdy tree, laughing as the rain picks up. It doesn’t dampen the moment—it enhances it.

Under the tree, Ava pulls out two sandwich halves and hands me one. We clink them together in a toast before digging in.

As I watch her, I can’t help but marvel at how her smile lights up everything around us. She looks radiant, even with the rain soaking into her hair.

“I thought you’d be disappointed,” I say after finishing my sandwich.

“Are you kidding me? This is one of the best dates I’ve had in a long time,” she replies, her eyes sparkling.

Thunder rumbles in the distance, and Ava jumps, instinctively grabbing onto my arm and pulling herself closer.

“It’s just thunder,” I assure her, wrapping an arm around her. “I’ve got you.”

The rain brings cool air, and we continue to sit under the tree, enjoying each other’s warmth.

“I’ve really been enjoying this with you, Ava,” I admit softly.

“It hasn’t been so bad,” she tells me with a half-smile, her tone teasing yet warm.

I have never felt this relaxed with anyone before. Usually, the relationships I’ve been in require me to play the star, whether I’m on the field or off. But with Ava, I don’t feel the need to perform. She’s made me realize that no one truly knows the real me—until now.

She is a breath of fresh air, a calm in the raging storm I’ve carried inside for far too long. With her, I don’t have to be perfect. I can just be me.

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