“Yeah. Dinner. Just me and you. Tomorrow night.”
I smile warmly at him as I nod, blushing as I do. “Yeah. I'd like that.”
“Good. It's a date, then,” Hunter winks and returns to his meal, leaving me to wonder if this is not a second, but a third chance at pursuing something between us. Smiling to myself, I return to my meal, feeling as if it's the first time that there aren't any obstacles in the way of Hunter and me being together.
Chapter 18 - Hunter
The dinner I have planned outside of Scarborough is supposed to be casual, since Delilah offered friendship before anything else, but I can't help feeling as if tonight will mark a new beginning.
I just have to remind myself to take things slowly, and not rush Delilah into anything that'll make her uncomfortable.
That's why tonight's date is going to be simple, even if we're leaving Scarborough territory to travel to Westbrook. Tyler told me about the dinner date he had with Arianna and their son one night at a restaurant on Elmwood Avenue, which has an in-house bowling alley.
I thought it'd be a good idea to do something fun, and that's why I'm dressed in casual clothes and asked Delilah to do the same.
Hearing her leaving the room, her footsteps echo in the hallway, and I leave my bedroom just in time to meet her as she's about to head to the door.
“Ready?” she asks as soon as I'm out, and I take a moment to let my heart calm down from the sight of her dressed as if she's taking this date as seriously as I feel about it.
I bite my inner lip in an attempt to let the rising heat subside before I say something inappropriate. Delilah has foregone her usual skinny jeans and oversized T-shirt for a summer dress that hugs her chest before flaring out at the waist.
It's not the first time I'm seeing her in a dress, and though this is more casual than the gowns she wears to parties, and she has on sneakers instead of heels that elongate her gorgeous legs, she's still breathtakingly beautiful.
“After you, m'lady,” I respond as I gesture toward the door, then follow her. “I hope you don't mind, but I borrowed Arthur's car.”
Delilah gasps. “Why? How far are we going?”
“Not far,” I say as I step forward and open the front door for her. “But I thought it'd be nice to do something different for a change and not have to travel in wolf form tonight.”
Delilah pauses and regards me with a faint smile, then nods. “Alright. I actually like the sound of that. We're doing somethingnormalfor a change.”
“Hey, I wouldn't say that shape-shifting and wielding magic isn't the norm for us, but we're blending in with the normies for one night.”
“Normies?” Delilah chuckles as we head to Arthur's car parked in the driveway. “I almost forgot that's what you called the humans!”
Chuckling, I move ahead and open the passenger door for Delilah, wearing a jubilant smile as I tilt my head. “Go ahead, m'lady.”
Delilah giggles, the sweet sound filling my eardrums as if it's the only music I'll ever want to hear, and she climbs into the Jeep. As I close the door, my lingering stare fills me with desire, with the anticipation of the budding romance between us that might be growing slowly, but it's steady and reminds me not to rush things.
The ride to Westbrook is a short one, and Delilah and I fall into comfortable silence as if we're both anticipating the date. Once we're at the bistro on Elmwood Avenue, I park the Jeep, hop out, and open Delilah's door for her, executing perfect manners to show her that I can be the man she deserves.
Once we're seated in the bustling restaurant, we order the same meal—Buffalo wings for starters, barbecue brisket sandwiches for mains with a generous portion of beef tacos and milkshakes on the side.
Feeling as giddy as kids would be as if we've snuck out of the house to grab a meal, the dinner flows comfortably, and the hearty meal goes down well. When we're done with dinner, we order desserts and coffee, and I notice the way Delilah is less tense around me and is actually enjoying herself.
I'm making progress.
“Do you wanna have a go at the arcade?” I ask when we're halfway through dessert. Delilah lifts her coffee and takes a sip, frowning at me.
“Arcade? Really? How old are you?” she giggles.
“Almost thirty,” I chuckle as I push another spoonful of tiramisu between my lips. “But you're never too old to play some games. It'll be fun.”
Delilah chuckles, and there's a hint of sadness in her eyes as if she's remembering something I once told her about “fun.” This is different, and I want her to see that.
“It's just to let loose for a bit. You've been going through so much, between your parents, the prince, and Gwen, and I think you deserve a break.”
Delilah nods, slowly at first, before her sullen expression shifts to a smile. “Okay. Let's give it a go. But I'm definitely kicking your ass!”
