Yes, maybe she’d stolen the idea from the internet. She’d simply typed in first date ideas and had gotten a million to choose from. It seemed there was no limit to the human imagination. If they could think it up, they’d already done it, photographed it, and posted it for everyone else to learn from. Of course, her options were limited since she and Kaj couldn’t leave the residence due to safety concerns at the moment, so she’d gone the practical route. Hence the picnic in the attic.
“Acadia?”
The abrupt sound startled her, but that didn’t last long. The sound of Kaj’s voice brought warmth to her chest, settling her quickly. “Over here.”
“I’m sorry I’m late. I was dealing with—”
Kaj appeared, looking striking in his dark jeans and a black Henley. The male rarely wore anything that wasn’t of the midnight variety, and she found it suited him.
“What’s this?” he asked, propping his hands on his hips and peering around.
“I thought we’d have lunch together.”
His gaze made its way back to her. “This was your idea?”
She nodded. “I wanted to do something … different, something to surprise you.”
“I like different.”
Kaj glanced at the blanket, then to his booted feet. A second later, he was toeing off his footwear and joining her.
As he lowered himself beside her, Acadia felt a strange swarm of anxiety bubble in her veins. Despite the fact she was one thousand five hundred and fifteen years old, she’d never been on a date before, and she figured, as far as terminology went, that was what this was. Back when she and Kaj had been getting to know one another, it had always been in his room. She knew he preferred privacy, as did she, so this seemed a suitable solution to hiding out in one of their rooms and risking things turning sexual in nature. Granted, she wasn’t opposed to the idea, but it wasn’t her underlying reason for summoning him.
Needing something to do with her hands, Acadia began parsing out the chicken salad sandwiches and the chips, having opted for simple. Of course, there were four sandwiches—three for Kaj, one for her—and it didn’t take much time to divvy it up.
“Acadia?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you nervous?”
She smiled shyly. “Is it obvious?”
He chuckled.
“I’ve never been on a date before,” she admitted.
His expression sobered as though he was reading into the reasons why that was.
“I hope I’m doing this right,” she added quickly, not wanting to bring any unnecessary tension to the moment.
“Everything you do is right,balisra.”
She didn’t know about that, but she was happy he seemed pleased.
“I heard your trainees were coming today,” she prompted, hoping to get on a safe subject.
“Arrived a couple of hours ago. Seven of them.”
“How are they doing?”
“I think they’re a little shocked. The training facility is bare bones right now. Obsidian wanted to leave the building to them.”
“Oh, wow.” She smiled up at him. “That’s going to be interesting.”
“They’re young. They can handle it. Builds character.”
“True. How long do you think it’ll take?”
