Page 62 of Say Something
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For our first official re-date, Danny and I attended a movie in the park.
Oak River had been doing these drive-in style events for as long as I could remember. Everyone brought chairs or blankets and found a spot in the grass in front of the huge white, canvas-wrapped board that served as an outdoor movie screen.
So, not only was I nervous about our first date, but we were coming out to the entire town at the same time. No pressure. None at all.
I wore dark jeans and a light green sweater. It was still a little warm during the days, but it would cool down once the sun set. I pulled on a pair of dark brown, knee-high boots and peeked out the front window. It was almost six, and that was when Danny had said he’d pick me up. He was taking care of dinner, and I was bringing dessert. We’d eat at the park, everyone did. I baked s’mores brownies, a recipe I’d found on Pinterest a while ago and had been waiting for a reason to make them. They were packed away in a Tupperware container, resting atop the thick blanket I’d promised Danny I would bring.
Headlights rolled across the wall; he was here.. I took a deep breath, readying myself. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. It was just Danny.
I startled at the knock on my door. I hadn’t expected him to get out of the truck, but I should have known he would. He wanted this to be a real first date, and on a real first date the guy would come to the girl’s front door when he picked her up.
I hurried over and opened the door, smiling shyly at him. “Hi,” I said. “Come in.” I stepped aside as he came through the doorway. He looked delicious, and he was dressed similarly to me in dark jeans and a light grey, long-sleeved henley. His boots didn’t come up to his knee, but they were dark brown, too, and were laced under his jeans.
“You look great,” he said, scanning my body the same way I was scanning his.
My cheeks heated. “Thank you. You do, too.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “This is weird. Why is this weird?”
I laughed, glad he said something. “I don’t know. It shouldn’t be.”
“No, it shouldn’t.” He took his hands out of his pockets as he walked up to me. His eyes hooded as he looked down at me. “Hi,” he whispered.
“Hey,” I said.
He leaned in and pressed his lips against mine. I went dizzy as he took my breath away.
“I know it’s our first date,” he said after he pulled away, “but I couldn’t wait until the end of the night to do that.”
“No worries,” I told him with a smile. I didn’t think I’d have been able to wait until the end of the night either, if I was being honest. And making out in front of the town during the movie didn’t sound too appealing. We’d really be the talk of Oak River then. Inside the privacy of my home was just fine. My eyes rolled inwardly. We were going to give them enough to talk about tonight.
“You ready?” he asked.
“Yep.” I grabbed my bag and the brownies and Danny carried the blanket. We locked up and walked out to the truck. Like the gentleman that he was, he opened my car door for me and waited until I was comfortable and buckled in my seatbelt. He rested the blanket on the floor by my feet and kissed my cheek before shutting the door, making me blush again.
I couldn’t remember feeling this bashful with him in the past but I loved it. I loved how nothing felt old. Everything felt new and fresh and perfect. The butterflies were perfectly present and I knew in that moment that life with Danny would always be this way. I’d never be bored with him. Our life would always be full of life and love and surprises. Good surprises. First dates, warm kisses, and love. Always love.
“What’s that look for?” Danny asked as he settled in the driver’s seat.
“What look?” I asked, unsure of what he saw. Had I been making a face?
His eyes scanned my face and he shrugged. “I don’t know. You look...happy, beautiful…”
“In love?” I offered.
He smiled. “That, too.”
“I am,” I told him, holding his gaze. I wanted him to know how certain I was about us. That I was taking this second chance seriously. “I am so in love with you.” His eyes were shiny and I knew that was what he’d needed to hear.
“I love you, too.” He leaned over and kissed the tip of my nose.
He started the truck and put it in gear, then reached over and took my hand. He held it all the way to the park.
***
“Coach T, who’s this?”
