He handed her the cup and pastry bag.“It’s okay.I worried that you’d regret being with me.I’m hardly a catch like my new brother-in-law.”
After taking a bite, Mercedes frowned.“You have to have more confidence in yourself, Evan.You’re a great guy.Believe me, I’d never have let you move in with me if you weren’t.I certainly wouldn’t have started a relationship with you.”
Evan sipped at his own drink as she continued.“You’re loyal to your family and friends and a lot of fun to be around.”Her eyes lowered for a moment.“When you touch me, it’s quite thrilling.”
Her confession got him thinking about last night’s antics and how he was eager to participate in them again.He wouldn’t push it right now.“I like touching you.I’ve wanted to since I was a teenager.The crush I had on you was huge.”
“You mentioned that.I still can’t understand why you didn’t tell me before.I could have avoided a lot of terrible dates.”
“I was afraid you’d shoot me down.It wouldn’t be the first time.And how do you know I would have been any better than the other guys you dated?”
Her eyes narrowed.“We’ve already discussed this.You are not a dud.We’ve done lots of fun things together over the years.”
“But they weren’t dates.We still haven’t had an official date.”
Mercedes crossed her arms over her chest and looked at the ceiling.“Maybe not an official one, but they were unquestionably better than many of the dates I’ve been on.”
Evan took a few minutes to nibble on his pastry and drink his hot chocolate.When he finished, he said, “Should we go out on a real date?”
Mercedes nodded.“It could be fun or it could be the same as always between us—which is also usually fun.”
Evan thought about the coming week and what his schedule was like.He’d hate to wait for the weekend.It was too far away.Of course, he’d see Mercedes every night at home, but this date thing was important to both of them.It signified the start of their actual romantic relationship, as opposed to their friendly relationship.
He took her cup and placed it on the bedside table next to his, then moved the bag with the few remaining pastries.“Mercedes Martineau, would you like to go out with me Tuesday night?”
Her face beamed with happiness, and it filled him with the same emotion.“I’d love to.”
Cupping her face, he followed through with all the dreams he’d been having about her for what seemed liked forever.
Mercedes sat impatiently on the couch as Evan stomped into the house after work.She’d gotten used to his heavy footfalls and knew it was his way of trying to get the road dust off him and not that he was upset.
“Date night.Shower first.Will you be ready?”he signed as he popped his head in the living room doorway.
“I’m ready now.”
He winked and headed to his room, where a few moments later, softer footsteps sounded on the way to the bathroom.The water turned on, and Mercedes paced the floor.He was usually quick in the shower, so there wasn’t much time.He hadn’t said what they were doing, so she’d donned a pair of colorful flared leggings with a matching boho top.If they were going anywhere fancier, she’d need to change.Evan wasn’t the super fancy sort, though.She might be safe in this outfit.
Five minutes later, she’d just sat down again when he stood in the doorway wearing jeans and a dark green Henley.He looked so good with his hair still slightly damp.Yeah, the tux had been a wonderful change, however this was the Evan she knew and loved.There was no doubt now that her feelings for him were love.Their night together had cemented that fact in her mind.
“Am I dressed okay?”She stood and twirled for him.
He laughed and held out a stack of index cards.“Depends what we’re doing.”
Pausing mid-twirl, she said, “You didn’t plan something.”
The grin on his adorable face hit her in the heart.“I planned a bunch of things.Pick a card.Any card.”
“What is this for?”Were they playing cards tonight?Not exactly what she’d pictured for their first date.And those weren’t playing cards.
“This is what we’ll do on our first date.”He spread the cards into a fan and held them face down.Her hand hovered over several of them before she plucked one from the stack.She didn’t look at it yet.
“Who decided what went on these cards?”Were they only activities that he’d enjoy?
He pushed the rest of the cards together and dropped them on the end table.“I wrote some; Carli helped me with others.I also Googled great date night ideas.”
“Interesting.Like a mystery date.”
“The activity is a mystery, not the person you’re dating.That’s me.”He laughed at his joke.
