I glance at the clock, and thankfully, it’s closing time. After shutting the shop down, I stop by Little Falls for a quick errand then head home to prepare for my first date in years. I take a shower, losing track of time in a train of thought centered onher. I whip out a casual, but nice, outfit for tonight, composed of a brown sweater, black trousers held up by a black belt, and a watch. After putting a trench coat on, I spray myself with cologne, then drive over to her place. Upon arrival, I text her to let her know I’m here.
“You should honk,” a voice startles me. “She loves that shit.”
I skeptically look at Kai in my rearview mirror. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
Kai knows Iris pretty well, so I give him the benefit of the doubt this time. I honk the horn a couple of times, resulting in Iris rushing to her window and looking down at me, scrunching her nose and undoubtedly urging me to stop. She hustles away before I can get a good look at her.
“Dude, you’re so gullible for a realist.” Kai wheezes in laughter. “She hates it when people honk at her from the lot.”
Screw. This.“Hey, Kai? Eat shit. Who invited you?”
“You did,” he gloats. “By inviting Iris, you essentially invited me, too. I’m so excited to see what you have planned for us.”
He bats his eyelashes. I narrow my eyes, gritting my teeth. “Seriously, dude, you’re relieved of your duties for tonight. Go play a harp or whatever it is you do in your spare time.”
“Wait, you think I play the harp in my spare time? I’m touched—that’s way cooler than what I actually do.” Kai snorts. “Ifyou’re so curious, you could’ve just asked. I like to go to the mountains.”
I suppose it makes sense for him to go there—the mountains do tend to bring people serenity. “Great. Go take a hike.”
“No can do, bro,” he says, leaning back in his seat, making himself comfortable. “I’m going to hang out with you two tonight. Don’t worry. You won’t even notice I’m there.” I made a terrible miscalculation in assuming tonight would be an average first date. I forgot to account for our permanent paranormal third wheel.
“Fine. Do me a favor. If Iris and I make out, please at least give her the decency of looking away,” I huff, resting my hand on my forehead.
“That’s one thing you don’t have to worry about,” he admits. “Rest assured, if you start making out, I amout.”
No problem, I’ll just have to initiate that earlier in our evening.
“But I’d be surprised if you make it that far tonight,” he mocks. “From what I’ve gathered, she takes things slow.”
We’ll see about that.
“Bro, have you just forgotten that I can read your mind?”
“Nope, my thoughts were fully intentional.” Suddenly, Iris appears in my line of sight. She’s wearing a beige sweater with flowy sleeves, a plaid mini skirt, tights, and knee-high boots, topping the outfit off with a thick tan trenchcoat. Her hair is half up, half down, tied back with a black ribbon. Upon seeing me, a radiant smile stretches across her face, the authenticity in it taking my breath away for just a moment. I step out of the car to greet her, opening the door for her, but not before grabbing a hold of her waist and pulling her toward me.
“You look ravishing,” I whisper, staring intently into her emerald eyes.
“You don’t look too bad yourself.” She smiles shyly, getting into the car and and slowly settling into the seat. I walk back to the driver's side to begin the drive. The sun is still setting as we take off. I made sure music was already playing before she joined me in the car. After a few moments, I notice she keeps pulling down her skirt.
“No need to cover those thighs on my account, Greene.” I glance over at her for a second to catch her blush, then chuckle. I hear obnoxious gagging sounds from the back seat. I glare at Kai through the rearview mirror and see him smirking.
“Everything okay?”If only Iris weren’t so observant.
“Yeah, all good.” I hide my grimace, focusing my attention on the road. It’s a good thing Kai is already dead.
“So, where are we going?” Iris purses her lips.
“It’s a surprise.”
“Ugh,fine.” She rolls her eyes. She stares outside the window, watching the sky as it melts. We arrive at Marble Grove precisely when I want to. I get out to open her car door, then head to my trunk to pick up the goods. I grab the basket and hand it to Iris, then grab the blanket I packed. Her jaw drops.
“Are we having a picnic? At night?” I grin in response, not wanting to give it away.
We approach the white gazebo we spent time in just a few days before. Marble Grove is striking during daylight hours, but it’s something else entirely at night—I figured a night picnic surrounded by gleaming holiday lights would be the perfect way to spend our time together. I lower myself to unfold the blanket and set up the basket on the ground of the dimly lit gazebo. My eyes flicker up to Iris, witnessing her staring at the lights lining the gazebo and pond beyond us in awe. My chilled heart warms a fraction at the sight.
“Wouldn’t have pegged you for a romantic, Jasper,” Kai whispers directly in my ear. I scratch my jaw and attempt to bitemy tongue, then look at him as he locks his eyes on Iris. While watching her reaction to the atmosphere, he grins. His eyes glisten. “I haven’t seen her look this free in a while.”
