Streams of black mascara down my cheeks probably won't look good with this dress, she thought.
“You know, I've eaten takeout Chinese every night since I've been home,” she said, laughing through the pain. “Do you know why?”
He shook his head. “No clue. I mean I know you like Chinese food, but I didn't think you liked it that much.”
“The reason I have been ordering Chinese takeout is because we ate it every night at your house after I screwed up making dinner,” she said. “It's not that I love Chinese, it's because it reminds me of spending time with you and Maggie.”
“So we're both crazy then?” Wyatt asked, with a mischievous grin.
It caused Lily to chuckle. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Does that mean that I can tell you that there's been more than once that I'd woken up in my bed and thought you were laying there next to me?” he asked.
Lily smiled wide. “Only if I can tell you that I've done the exact same thing. Not only that, but I think about you constantly. Not in a creepy, stalker kind of way, though. You're just always on my mind. I find myself wondering what you're up to during the day and sometimes I wonder if I ever cross your mind.”
“You cross my mind all the time,” he said. “Honestly, I never realized how incredible you were until you moved in under my roof. I feel like last week was the first time I ever had a chance to really get to know you. I mean Caroline knew you pretty well, but I was always working too much to have the time to chat with you.”
“We're all busy,” Lily said. “It is what it is. I'm just glad we've gotten the chance to learn about each other.”
Wyatt shook his head. “This is insane, you know that, right? I mean, it's kind of crazy that I think about my daughter's surrogate mother all the time and I'm taking her out on a date. I can't imagine what someone would think if they ever heard about it.”
Lily shrugged. “Weren't you the one who said that I shouldn't worry about what people think?”
“Touche,” he replied. “That's a good point. You're absolutely right. Who cares what a stranger might think? All that matters, is that we're having fun and enjoying our lives.”
“Here's to that,” Lily said, lifting her glass again. “To the enjoyment of our lives.”
Wyatt clinked his glass against hers. “That's something I'll cheers to.”
They both took a swig, emptying the glass. Wyatt filled them again with the nearby bottle. Lily was beginning to feel a little buzz from the alcohol now, but it was nice. It allowed her inhibitions to lay low for a while and gave a chance for the real Lily to come out.
It was clear that both of their walls were slowly dropping. Lily and Wyatt were becoming more relaxed around each other by the minute. Soon, they were acting as though they'd been on many dates before. It started to seem almost like this wasn't their first.
“Looks like the food is coming,” Lily said, nodding toward the waiter who had a giant plate in each of his hands. He maneuvered expertly through the maze of tables and people, arriving next to Wyatt and Lily.
“Sorry for the wait,” he said. “We are exceptionally busy this evening.”
“No problem at all,” Wyatt said.
Lily watched as the waiter set the platters down in front of them. He began spouting out each kind of sushi that was on the plates, but she couldn't even pay attention. She was too enthralled by the amazing man that sat across from her. His eyes, his face, his hair, his chest. Every single part of him was just perfect. She found herself more attracted to him than ever. It was like each layer of his personality that she peeled off, another trait of his was revealed. All of it was good, too. All of it made her want him even more.
Lily had Wyatt had eaten their fill of sushi. They sat back in their chairs, finishing off yet another glass of champagne.
“You weren't joking,” she said. “That was the best sushi I've ever had.”
“Wasn't it amazing?” Wyatt asked. “It's so fresh. I'd keep on eating, except that I don't think I could fit another bite of sushi in my stomach.”
“Me either.” Lily gently patted her stomach. “Although, there were some pretty good desserts on the menu. There a small chance, that I might just able to fit some dessert in.”
His eyes lit up. “You know what, I think I could make that happen, too. What did you see on the dessert menu that caught your eye?”
“They have green tea ice cream,” she said. “Have you ever tried it before?”
Wyatt shook his head. “No, I haven't. I'm not going to lie, though. Something about green tea and ice cream sounds like kind of a gross combination.”
“It's amazing,” she said. “If we order some, will you try it?”
“Of course,” he replied. “I'll try just about anything once.”