He nodded. “Seems like a rational barometer for picking out men to date. Ask a horse. It’s veryDances With Wolvesof us.”
“I have a stepdaughter, too. Scared yet?” I shot him a cocky smile.
“Nope. How old is the little princess?”
“Not sure you can consider eighteen little. She just started college.”
He laughed. “That is surprising. How in the world does a lady who’s so young have a stepdaughter who’s a freshman?”
“It was a May-December romance for sure.”
“But you really loved him?”
I stopped our stroll, looking right into his eyes. “I still do,” I quickly admitted.
“Good, you should. You always should. But, you shouldn’t miss out on life because of love, past or present.”
“Is this going to turn into a speech about moving on? Because you can save your breath—I’ve heard every one of them. I’ve heard it all a hundred times.”
“Nope,” he stated as we entered the Judge Arthur Solomon Camellia Trail. “Just throwing my two cents in where they aren’t needed.”
“I think I needed to hear it for the hundred and first time, because I agree with you.” I threw my hands into the air in defeat.
“Does that mean you’ll let me take you out on another date?”
“Another one?” I questioned.
“I think this can count as the first to get it out of the way and make date number two way less awkward.”
“Fair enough.”
* * *
After we walkedthrough the rest of the gardens, Waylon dropped me off back at home. After a long bubble bath, I decided to let the girls know how the day had gone.
Annabelle: Well, Waylon for the win.
Sawyer: That was the best text message I could ever freaking get! You better let me photograph y’all’s wedding.
Harper: Too soon, Sawyer. So Mr. Persistence finally convinced you to go out with him?
Annabelle: He took me to the botanical gardens.
Caroline: WAIT! You already went out with him?! Best news ever, especially while grading these math worksheets.
Sawyer: When are you seeing him again?
Annabelle: Tomorrow night.
Harper: Jumping in with both feet! Love it!
Sawyer: Can’t wait for Happy Hour on Monday! You better not hold back on any of the details.
Annabelle: I promise I won’t.
Chapter 8
Kiss the Cook
