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The former would be easier, but I can’t lie to Cal.

I take a deep breath. “I’ve never been on a date before. I know that’s extremely weird, especially since I’m thirty-five, but yeah.” I shrug.

I married the first guy who ever showed me any sort of attention, and then stupidly stayed married to him way too long. We always just casually hung out with friends or at home by ourselves. Even though we were together for over ten years, I can’t recall a single date we’ve officially been on, unless you count our elopement, which I thought was very romantic at the time. Now, not so much.

I haven’t been on a single date or anything since the divorce either. Honestly, I never really wanted to.

Until now.

I’m still unsure if I’d want an actual relationship, but new experiences? I haven’t always in the past, but I should explore new things, right?

Calvin stares at me for a moment, his face unreadable.

“Change of plans. I’ll pick you up at your door at six.”

“Okay.” My voice is soft.

“And just to be clear, this is a date.”

* * *

Three light taps hit my door in succession. I let out a deep breath before I grab the handle and pull it open.

Calvin is standing there, fidgeting with his hands and something else in them. I focus my eyes on the item.

“Is that a box of candy?” I ask.

“Yes. Three boxes of candy, actually.” He shuffles them around so all boxes are now visible. “I didn’t know what your favorite vending machine candy was,” he says as he shoves Junior Mints at me.

“I love these. Thank you.” I wave the box of candy in the air, slipping the Junior Mints into my purse for later and placing the other two boxes on a nearby chair.

I turn back to face Calvin and take him in.

He’s wearing dark jeans and a white button-down that hugs him in all the right spots.

“Where did you get the new clothes?” I blurt out.

“Uh,” he says, scratching behind his neck. “I may have found a store.”

I raise an eyebrow for him to explain. We are not exactly in a bubbling metropolis.

“I found a boutique nearby.”

“Around the corner?” I question with a grin.

“Something like that,” he says with a laugh, tucking his hands into his jeans pocket. “They didn’t have much, but it was better than what I brought with me.”

I blush in embarrassment at his last sentence. I should have done the same and put in a better effort for tonight, rewearing the same khakis from yesterday.

“You look great!” Calvin blurts out, reading my thoughts and taking pity on me, most likely. “I, uh, well.” He pauses and scratches his body again. “I, uh, may have gotten you some things.” I stare at him blankly as he rushes out, “Only if you want them!”

I blink. “You bought me clothes?”

“Yes.” The corners of his ears turn pink. “I, uh, was debating whether I should give them to you or not. I mean, you look beautiful and everything, and I didn’t want you to take this the wrong way, so I was going to maybe return them, but maybe you’d want them?” He shuffles his feet back and forth.

I smile at his run-on sentence. I’ve never seen Cal so flustered before. Is it weird to say that nerves look cute on him?

“Do you mind if I take a look at them?” I’m very curious to see what he picked out for me.