Page 48 of Bossy Grump's Secret

"But you're laughing," she points out. I try to hold impending disdain. Her laughter is the only thing that makes me keep smiling.

“Laughter is contagious,” I snort, “but I just want to ask you, will you go out with me tonight?”

Her brows furrow in slight confusion. “Where?”

“Dinner,” I shrug. Ava's confusion gets even clearer.

“Or…we could just eat in the cafeteria?”

She knows what I'm asking, but just wants me to say it.

"I want to be more than that, Candy…like something special," I tell her, hoping it's clear.

She nods her head with narrowed eyes. “So, like a date,” she affirms.

“Well, if you’re going to call it that…” I say and end the statement halfway, leaving it open.

“Okay, so let’s assume I agree; where exactly are we going for this…date? " She wonders, making sure we both know that I agree to take her on a date. I roll my eyes.

Whatever…

"Well, I thought we just keep it around here, so…probably the hotel restaurant. We could go to the one on the top floor with a breathtaking view.” I aim to widen her eyes, but it does the opposite. Her mouth widens, but her eyes narrow to mere slits.

“You’re taking me out…in the hotel.” She does that slow nod again that ticks me off.

“If you don’t like it, you can just say so,” I shrug. “This hotel houses literally the best restaurant in town,” I say to ensure she knows. She nods and shakes her head simultaneously.

"Then, everyone will know we're into some kind of…." She entwines her fingers awkwardly. "You know what I mean."

“Yeah, yeah. I get it.” I wave her off. Although we are still uncertain about the future of our relationship, one thing remains clear: I have feelings for her. Knowing that, I want to treat her as best as possible.

“So, where do you want to go, then?” I ask with sincerity.

“I do not know. I know nothing of the environment,” she reveals.

“Huh? What did you come to San Fran for? School and work…and nothing else?”

“Pretty much, yeah.”

I shake my head in disappointment. " There are a lot of beautiful places that I guarantee you need to see," I instruct.

“I’m sure there are, but for now, I want to work so I can finish on time and actually get to see them,” she huffs and pushes me away, showing the need for me to leave.

Did Ava just express a keen interest in work? I guess miracles happen every day.

I leave her and continue my work schedule. I wrap up as early as possible so as not to be late. Dinner is at a set time. It’d be stupid to make it too late, given what I plan to stuff her with. As long as she has my baby in her stomach, she must keep going with as much food as possible.

However, once I’m done dressing, I wait a while before impatience consumes me. Then I go to the join room to see what the girls are doing.

“We are going to eat, Ava, but not a gala or something like that!" I nearly scratch my eyes from their sockets when I see Lily doing an intricate braid on Ava’s hair. She is doing well…as far as “attempting” is concerned.

“We have to get her ready for her big date, Dylan. It’s not to be handled lightly.” Lily speaks for her friend, who has something in her mouth and continues molesting the strands.

She throws me a small wave and sweet smile, to which I reply with an impatient frown. She just chuckles and goes over to the mirror in front of which Lily has been styling her hair.

"This isn't the most horrible thing that has happened to my hair.” She pats her fancy hairdo.

“I’m glad you hate it. It’d have been weird if you liked it.” Lily smiles as Ava makes the finishing touches on her makeup. "And you had better bring me something on your way back,” the faux hairdresser warns.

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