Page 17 of Sideline Sweetheart
Jamie smiles as she shakes her head. “Now we each plan a date a month. Sometimes it’s something extravagant and sometimes it’s dinner at home and a movie.”
“What a nice idea.” I open my mouth to say something and then stop.
Jamie grins from where she sits across from me. “What?”
“I’ve been thinking of inviting Bryce over for dinner.”
“You should. In case you didn’t pick up on it, Bryce is a down to Earth kind of guy.”
“Oh, I definitely noticed.”
“Good,” Jamie says as she stood from her seat. Before she reaches the door, she turns back to me. “Mind if I give you some advice?”
“No, please.”
“Stop overthinking and do what feels right. If you want to invite him to dinner, do it. If I know Bryce like I think I do, he’ll jump at the chance to spend more time with you.”
Before I let myself get too far inside my head, I pick up my phone and text Bryce.
Are you free tonight?
He replies almost instantly.
What do you have in mind?
I chew on my bottom lip as I type.
Dinner at my place, say 7?
I’ll be there.
Once Bryce accepted my invitation for dinner, I had to decide what I would prepare. Since I knew his diet consisted of lean proteins and vegetables, I chose one of my favorite meals.
At precisely seven o’clock, a knock sounds on my door. I move the pan with the salmon from the burner to the oven to keep it warm until it’s time to plate it, remove my apron and toss it on the counter, before heading to the door. I cast one last glance at the table already set with silverware, glasses of water and a pitcher of water to the side, along with our salads.
I open the door and my breath catches as I take him in. My eyes dip down his body. Dark jeans, a blue button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the middle of his forearms, Bryce is the whole delicious package. “Hi,” I manage more breathily than I intend as I open the door wider allowing him to step inside. “Please, come in.”
He smiles at my perusal, while doing one of his own. “These are for you,” he said as he hands me a bouquet of yellow roses and leans in to kiss my cheek.
“Thank you, they’re beautiful,” I say as I make my way back into the kitchen to pull a vase from under the sink. I fill it with water and say, “Dinner is almost ready, so make yourself comfortable.”
As I place the roses in the vase, Bryce leans against the kitchen counter and says, “Whatever you’re making smells delicious. Can I help you with anything?”
I hand him the vase. “Can you put these on the table while I check the vegetables?”
“Sure.” His fingers brushed mine as he accepts the vase, and a zing of electricity makes its way through my body.
I pull the pan of roasted vegetables out of the oven, sprinkled them with parmesan, gave them a toss and placed them on our plates. I then remove and baste the salmon one last time, place it on the plate and drizzle a little more sauce over the top.
I walk to the table, set a plate in front of Bryce, only to have him immediately rise from his seat to pull out my chair. I set my plate on the table, and take my seat, as he makes his way back to his.
He takes in the meal before him and smiles. “This looks wonderful, Mackenzie. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Thank you. I hope you like it; this is one of my favorite meals.” I pour a little dressing on my salad. “The dressing is alemon honey vinaigrette. I tried to keep things light since you are in training.”
Bryce adds the dressing to his salad and takes a bite. “Wow, this is good.”
“Thank you,” I say as I cut off a piece of salmon and take a bite. My eyes close as I savor the flavors.
