“Well, I still think you look really pretty anyway,” Dylan said.
Bonnie’s cheeks turned a light shade of red as she blushed. It made Dylan smile seeing her flush at the complement. Without saying another word, he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. When he pulled away, Bonnie’s eyes were lit up in her face was beaming with happiness.
“You’re really sweet. You know that?” She said.
Dylan shrugged. “I’m just being honest.”
“I like that.” Bonnie innocently shuffled her feet in the dirt.
“How do you feel about dinner at my place?” Dylan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Bonnie brought her gaze up to meet his. “Is that the surprise?”
“You don’t sound too excited,” Dylan said.
“It’s not that,” Bonnie said. “I just didn’t know you cooked.”
Dylan laughed. “I don’t cook. I have tried, but I am extremely unsuccessful at it. Chef’s making chicken cacciatore tonight, and she is delivering it to me so we can have a romantic evening alone.”
She chuckled. “She must really want you to date me.”
“So, you’ll come?” His heart sped up, even though he knew she would say yes. Just knowing he would have a whole evening with her made the future look bright. Dylan smiled. “You don’t need to change.”
She took a step back and held her arms out do while glancing down at her body. “Dylan, look at me right now. I know you said that you thought I looked beautiful but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m wearing a wet swimsuit and sweatpants. I’m not exactly dressed for a nice dinner.”
He glanced at the sky as if you were thinking deeply. Then he brought his gaze back down to Bonnie.
“Well, I think I have a solution. Maybe you should just take off the wet swimsuit when we get back to my place. Problem solved.” He flashed a wink and a playful grin. “Naked eating is always good.”
Bonnie laughed. “Tell you what. If you let me take a quick shower at your place and also let me borrow some more clothes of yours to wear, then we can head to your trailer now. I just want to get the pool off of me.”
“Sounds like a deal.” Dylan held his hand out to take Bonnie’s and the two of them made their way back toward his place.
Dylan loved walking alongside Bonnie. He loved having her hand and her fingers inte
rlocked with his. He noticed that his stride was a little longer and he held his chin a little higher when she was next to him. There was something about being in her presence that put him at ease. He had dated many women in his life, but none of them were like Bonnie. None of them had given him those butterflies of excitement in his belly that she did. There was something very special about her, and even though he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what it was, he knew that she was worth cherishing and worth holding onto.
Maybe part of it is because she doesn’t want me for my money, he thought. It seems like Bonnie just enjoys spending time with me because she wants to spend time with me. There’s a real connection here. I can feel it. I know for a fact it’s not just in my imagination either.
It was only a short walk back to his trailer, but in a way, he wished that it was a little bit further. He really enjoyed the simple things, and just strolling next to her put a smile on his face. He could see a future here.
“I think I can smell our dinner from here,” he said, as they neared the trailer.
Bonnie drew in a long breath or her nostrils and nodded. “Me too. Smells amazing.”
“Chef must have just dropped it off,” he said. “Perfect timing.”
They made their way down the dusty path that led to his home. As they stepped up onto the front porch, Dylan noticed a large brown paper bag that was stapled up at the top. On the front was a little smiley face drawn in black ink. Underneath it, the chef it scribbled the word “Enjoy.”
“You really did have this all planned out, didn’t you?” Bonnie said, squeezing Dylan’s hand.
He glanced over at her and grinned. “I just wanted to do something special for you.”
“Thank you, Dylan.” She smiled, and his heart melted just a little bit more.
He picked up the brown paper bag and held open the door for her. She smiled again as she passed him.
Chef had followed his instructions perfectly. Not only had she made an amazing meal for the two of them, but she had also arranged his trailer to be as romantic as possible during her off time. The table in the dining room was arranged with three purple candles in the center. Next, to the candles, there was a bouquet of a dozen red roses. Playing throughout the speakers was soft classical music. He wanted to make sure this dinner was special for one reason, and that was because he thought that every dinner with Bonnie should be special.