Sweet Dandelion

I smile at him, nodding. “Always.”

Chapter Eighty-Five

Several days later, I’m busy getting ready for my first date with Lachlan.

Rubbing some product into my hair, I bend over, shaking it out. My heart won’t stop racing with a mix of nerves and excitement. He won’t tell me where we’re going, which has only piqued my curiosity even more.

Standing back up, I make sure my loose natural waves look decent and aren’t a frizzball. My makeup is simple, like I normally do—mascara, the barest hint of highlighter on my cheekbones, and a soft pink gloss that makes my lips look fuller.

With my hair done, I spray some perfume on my wrists and pad out of the bathroom to the dress I laid on the bed.

The black velvet dress with deep pink roses isn’t what I’d normally wear, but since he said to dress up, I’m going for it. The sleeves are sheer, and it’s shorter in the front than the back. Slipping on the black-heeled boots, I look at myself in the floor length mirror. I don’t look too bad.

“I’m going to be out for a bit,” I tell Tally. She cracks one eye open where she sleeps on my bed. “Hold down the fort while I’m gone.”

There’s a knock on the door and when I look at my phone, he’s right on time.

I can’t stop smiling as I walk across to my front door and swing it open.

“Hey, Superman,” I murmur, biting my lip. Lachlan looks delectable in a pair of gray slacks and a white button down shirt. The sleeves are rolled to his elbows, showing the corded veins running up his arms.

“You look beautiful.” He leans in, kissing my cheek. “These are for you.” He passes me a bouquet of flowers. It’s an assortment of types I’ve never seen and absolutely stunning.

“Oh let me put these in some water. They’re gorgeous, Lachlan.”

He follows me over to my kitchen where I have to put water in a cup since I don’t own any vases.

“Next time, I’ll bring you a vase.”

I arch a brow. “Are you going to bring flowers every time?”

He grins at me. “Only if you want me to.”

“I want you to.”

He chuckles, placing his hand on my waist. “We better go. My friend is doing me a favor.”

“You have me very curious about this date.”

“I had to make it special.”

“You could take me to McDonald’s and I’d be thrilled. I just want to be with you.” I lock the door behind us and we start down the stairs to the parking lot.

“I’m not taking you to McDonald’s for our first date. Besides, you said you wanted to get dressed up.”

“I did say that. McDonald’s for the second, then?” I joke.

“Maybe.” He winks.

He opens the passenger door of his Acura for me and I hold onto the skirt of my dress so I don’t flash anyone.

We don’t say much on the drive through the city. We end up near the art museum, but a couple of streets over. He parallel parks and lets me out before putting change in the meter.

“Where are we going?” I giggle, taking his hand and letting him lead me down the street.

“You’ll see soon enough.”

He reaches for the door to a bookshop and I tug on his hand. “It’s closed.”