CHAPTER TWO #3
“I know some girls want to be wined and dined, but that’s not me, and it’s never been me.
I’m a casual person. I also appreciate the fact that you put thought into the fact that the whole candlelight dinner thing is not for me.
I’d basically be spending the night in the dark, and I do enough of that it holds no appeal for me.
I love the idea of a picnic. I mean, to be honest, one of my dream vacations has always been to go away to a cabin in the mountains or a house on the beach and just relax.
You know, sitting on the beach or on the porch of a cabin, enjoying the sun and nature around while reading a book or just enjoying the scenery.
At nighttime, not going to a fancy place but maybe cooking together or grabbing something from a hole-in-the-wall, finishing the night with a bonfire either on the beach or in the woods.
I mean, I love to shop and do some other very girly things, but even then it’s not for fancy jewelry or makeup.
I could spend hours in a bookstore or checking out antique and thrift stores for the most random finds I can imagine. I’m not that complicated of a person.”
Cade smiles and reaches over to take my hand in his. He pulls it up and kisses my hand as he gives it a squeeze. “Darlin’, I think what you just said was music to my ears. If you’re feeling the way I’m feeling so far, then I’m thinking this is gonna be the last first date either of us goes on.”
Holy hell in a handbasket. I couldn’t agree more, but why does that thought equally excite and terrify me at the same time?
I just nod because how do you respond to something like that?
Jiminy crackers, the man is like all those alpha-cinnamon-roll sex-on-a-stick guys I read about all rolled into one.
I might be in the best kind of trouble there is.
It only takes about half an hour to get to the place Cade had found to have our picnic at.
Since it’s midweek and a workday for most people, we had the park almost to ourselves.
Cade parked, and we found a picnic table by the water to eat and enjoy the scenery.
He helped me to the table and went back to get everything from the truck.
He came back with his hands full. He shrugged his shoulders. “I brought a blanket too, so maybe after we eat we could spread it out closer to the water and watch the ships go by.” I can’t help but smile. This man has thought of everything.
“I love that idea. I also like the idea of eating at the table first. Makes things less messy.”
Cade nods, setting down the blanket on the other bench and the ice chest on the table.
He opens it and starts taking things out.
“There’s a deli near my place that makes great salads, so I grabbed a few different kinds to try.
I got two different potato salads and two different pasta salads.
I also got a fruit salad and some chips.
I didn’t know if you were a pop drinker, so I got some bottled water and some sparkling flavored water.
I might have also grabbed some chocolate chip cookies, but don’t tell my coach that.
I’m supposed to be watching what I eat, and too many of those aren’t on the plan. ”
My mouth moves before my brain does. “Plans are made to be broken, and sometimes the best things in life happen when they are.” Cade smiles, leans over, and kisses me quickly before sitting down across from me.
“You’re right. I have a feeling those two words are going to repeat themselves frequently, and I’m more than okay with that.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry as a horse. What do you say we dig in?”
I nod and start plating up some food. Something tells me that this could be the start of something real. How that doesn’t scare the shit out of me is a question for future me. Right now, I’m going to enjoy this lunch and spend time with the sexiest man I’ve ever had the luck to kiss.
Cade
Today’s been nothing short of amazing. I don’t think I’ve spent an off day having a better fucking time.
Hanna…Hanna is amazing. She’s so fucking smart and funny.
She really listens when someone’s speaking to her, and she’s gorgeous.
When she smiles, it’s like the world pauses.
I’m pretty fucking sure she’s the best kisser I’ve ever…
I mean, I’ve never been a player like Zack or even Carter or Zane, but I’ve done alright in the dating department.
But that first kiss…it took everything in me not to pick Hanna up and take her right there in the bed of my pickup truck.
My little bit of self-control that came out probably saved my life because I can’t imagine that her dads would have been okay with seeing that in their driveway.
If things go the way I’m feeling they might, even after just a week of talking and one official date, then I’m going to want to be on her parents' good side. Of course, me being a fucking overachiever and all, I just had to meet someone who has three parents to impress. No bother, I’m gonna show them I can treat their daughter like she ought to be treated.
I mean, that’s all a parent wants, isn’t it?
Focus, Evanich. We’re in my truck and heading to the last stop of the day, which Hanna declared had to be ice cream.
When we were packing up the picnic, I again suggested either coffee or ice cream.
She looked at me with the most serious expression and asked one question.
“Both are excellent choices, but since you’re not from here and I’m realizing your teammates have not been properly indoctrinating you to life in the Pacific Northwest, I only have one question to ask you.
To be honest, I’m gonna judge you by your answer.
Do you like Tillamook or Umpqua ice cream better?
” I think I might have scared her with my answer.
“I don’t know if I’ve had either. I mean, ice cream is ice cream. Ain’t it all good?” The look of horror on Hanna’s face was almost comical. She shook her head and finished folding the blanket as she told me exactly what was on her mind.
“I have a good mind to tell Zane off the next time I see him. I’m not blaming all your teammates because I presume some are like you and not from here, but Zane has no excuse.
All ice cream is not the same, not even close.
There’s a hierarchy involved. I can see now I’m going to have to show you just how horribly wrong that statement you just made was.
” She looked so serious and glared at me in a way that both turned me on and scared me a little.
I’m pretty sure I had a look on my face that I’ve seen Dad have when Mom’s telling him what for.
I gave Hanna the only response my voice seemed to be able to give at that moment. “Yes ma’am.” She smiled at me and nodded, so that must have been the only acceptable answer. I feel she’s gonna keep me on my toes. I’m finding that I’m so fucking alright with that it scares the shit out of me.
I pull up to the ice cream place that Hanna said we had to go to, finding a parking spot right in front.
Before I turn the truck off, her hand comes over and touches my arm.
“Now this is just the start of your ice cream education. This place serves Tillamook, which is the superior ice cream overall. They make an amazing marionberry pie flavor, though my recent obsession has been their peanut butter chocolate ice cream. You can’t go wrong with any of their flavors, really.
Another time I’ll have to introduce you to Umpqua ice cream and their special flavors.
” I nod and smile because Hanna mentioning spending more time together is music to my ears.
Time to let her teach me a thing or two.
If I’m lucky enough, I’ll get to see that gorgeous smile of hers some more.
We go inside the ice cream shop and place our orders, which are two flights of a bunch of different flavors that Hanna insisted I needed to at least try.
I can honestly say two things—the first being she was right and that this ice cream was some of the best I’ve ever had, and Zane’s been fucking holding out on me.
The second is that this has been one of the best days of my life.
Spending the day with Hanna has been more fun and entertaining than any other date I’ve ever had.
We’ve talked about everything and nothing.
I don’t want this day to end, even though I need to head home soon and I’m driving back to her house.
Hanna speaks up, getting me out of my head. “I’ve had the best time today. I know you’re a very busy man, but I’d like to see you again when you’re free.” I reach over and take her hand in mine before I respond. I give her hand a squeeze.
“This honestly has been one of the best days of my life. I like the simple things like what we did today. I like you…a lot. I know, especially during the season, I’ve got a ridiculous schedule, but I think we can figure out times to see each other.
I’m thankful that you’re okay with texting, calling, and video chatting because I don’t think I could go days without hearing your voice.
I know we only met a week ago, and this is technically our first date, but I feel like I know you so much better than that, and I feel like this thing between us could be something…
something real. But I don’t want to push you into anything if you—” Hanna squeezes my hand to stop my rambling.