"Anytime." The corners of his mouth tilt up as he closes the door with a solid thunk.
Once he’s in the driver’s seat, he turns the key and the engine roars to life. We pull away from the curb, and he leads us straight into the heart of the city to downtown Dallas. Within minutes, we’re parked and walking into Klyde Warren Park.
Taylor leads me to a cozy spot under a shade tree where he's set up a small metal table adorned with a colorful checkered tablecloth. My eyes widen in surprise when I see the feast he prepared - antipasti, bruschetta, and an array of cheeses and bread alongside a bottle of red wine chilling in an ice bucket. I feel my heart flutter as he pulls out my chair for me and hands me a napkin before taking his seat across from me.
We dig into our meal, savoring every bite of fresh basil and tomatoes. The nearby Italian food truck parked at curbside is probably where the food came from, and it’s divine. The hum of passing cars fades away as we sink into each other's company, our conversation flowing effortlessly.
The park is bustling around us - families enjoying leisurely walks, couples canoodling on blankets, children laughing and playing on the playground - yet it feels like we're in our own private oasis. Every so often, we'll catch someone stealing glances at us from across the way or hear someone comment on what an adorable couple we make. It doesn't feel forced or awkward though; instead, it adds to this magical evening that feels like something out of a movie.
I specifically love watching the planes flying low overhead to land at Love Field airport that’s directly beside downtown Dallas. We watch together in silence as they pass over our heads. There's something undeniably romantic about this moment. The sun is setting behind the tall buildings while planes cross through the sky.
“Thank you for tonight, Taylor. This is all so lovely,” I admit.
Suddenly self-conscious about my date-appropriate attire, which seemed much less practical now considering our impromptu picnic, I smooth out my black dress absently while sipping on my wine. Yet instead of making me feel conscious, Taylor simply smiles warmly at me before reaching across the table to take my hand. His touch calms me. He doesn't let go until his thumb gently brushes against the soft skin of my inner wrist, and that simple touch makes me clench my thighs together from the tingle low in my core.
"So, Harper," Taylor starts, "ready for round two?"
"What's round two?" I ask, quirking an eyebrow.
"How about a movie under the stars? There's a rooftop theater just a few blocks from here."
"A rooftop theater?" It sounds whimsical, like something plucked from a romantic novel rather than nestled in the heart of Texas.
"I think you'll love it," he assures me, with confidence.
I take his hand he offers me to stand from my seat, and we walk a few blocks. When we arrive, I follow Taylor up a narrow stairwell. The door at the top swings open, revealing the rooftop theater.
"Wow," I exhale, stepping onto the terrace. The view of the Dallas skyline is spectacular. Soft illumination from string lights crisscrossing above our heads light our path.
"Pretty great, huh?" he says.
"Amazing," I admit, following him to a pair of lounge chairs dressed with plush cushions.
The movie flickers on, and a hush settles over the rooftop. I inch toward the side of my cushion, close enough to Taylor that our thighs touch.
"Romantic comedies?" I murmur during the opening credits. "Didn't peg you as a fan."
"Full of surprises," he shoots back with a soft chuckle.
As the characters on screen navigate their laughably complicated love lives, Taylor occasionally presses his knee against mine, a reassuring pressure that makes me want to lean into him even more.
He reaches into a bag of candy, and offers it my way without looking away from the screen. "Want some?" he asks, though it's less of a question and more of a gentle invitation.
"Only if you're sharing," I say, plucking a piece from the bag. Our fingers graze, and the touch zings up my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps. I pop the candy into my mouth, savoring the sugary burst as much as the accidental caress.
Taylor's arm finds its way onto the back of my chair, and I lean towards him until our arms brush.
"Pretty cheesy, huh?" he whispers.
"Cheesy, but cute," I admit, aware that I'm not just talking about the movie. There's something about sitting here, next to Taylor, under a canopy of stars and city lights, that feels like the lines between friendship and something more blur with each heartbeat.
I sneak another glance his way, finding those dark chocolate eyes already on me, full of warmth and a question he doesn't need to ask out loud. My heart does a somersault, and I wonder if he can feel the flutter against his arm. It's crazy how one night can shift everything you thought you knew about a person—about yourself.
"Best date ever," I whisper, not caring if it's too soon or too bold to say it out loud.
His grin tells me it's just right.
After the ending credits roll, we thread our way through the scattered clusters of moviegoers back to Taylor’s truck. His hand feels warm and steady in mine. The night air is cool, but his presence is enough to make me forget the goosebumps prickling my skin.
