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Composing himself, he says, “I figured we could walk around for a bit and then get some dinner at the food trucks?”
“Sounds good to me!”
Tonight is, in a word, perfect. I couldn’t have planned a better night if I tried. All the years I spent dreaming what it would be like to go on a date with Mark, I never thought of something this magical.
We walk. We talk. The food is amazing. Twinkle lights begin to turn on overhead and light the walkways. There is a band starting to play over on the stage. It’s a picture-perfect moment. I’m sad the night will soon be over. We both have work in the morning. Not to mention how I’m still recovering from the lack of sleep the last few nights.
Mark nudges me. “What’s going on in that pretty little head of yours?”
I sigh. “I was just thinking how I’m not ready for tonight to end.” I look up into his perfect, chocolatey brown eyes. “It’s been the perfect date.” I nudge him with my hip. “Thank you.”
“How about we grab ice cream and go listen to the band play?”
I nod in agreement.
As we approach the stage area, I find some seats near the back.
“What kind of ice cream do you want?”
“Surprise me.”
Mark rolls his eyes. “Not this again.”
“What?” I bat my eyelashes at him, “I’m not picky.”
He rolls his eyes again but turns towards the ice cream stand.
“Mint Oreo!” I call after him.
I sit and listen to the band play as I wait. I see an older couple a few tables up. They’re holding hands, and my heart swells. It might be my overly-romantic heart, but that’s the life I want. To still want to be with the person you love, choosing them over and over even after all those years. It’s beautiful. I don’t even realize I’m crying until I feel a tear drip from my cheek. I wipe my face and laugh at myself.
“One Mint Oreo.” I jump when Mark’s arm brushes mine as he sits down offering me my ice cream.
“Thank you.” I give a slight shiver.
“Are you cold?” Mark asks as he hands me his cone and starts to remove his jacket.
I shake my head. “I’m good.”
I link my arm with his and lean my head on his shoulder as we eat our cones. He begins drawing circles on my knee with his finger and thumb. I can’t help but sigh with complete and utter contentment.
We throw away our trash and start to leave when the band begins to play an REO Speedwagon song. Mark leads me towards the makeshift dance floor and pulls me into him. He wraps his arms around my waist, and we begin to sway. He twirls me out here and there, but mostly, he just holds me close.
I lay my head against his chest as I start to trace the stitching of his shirt with my finger. “Thank you again for tonight. It really has been perfect.”
“Thank you for coming with me.” He shifts to meet my gaze. There’s a look I’ve never seen before. It’s soft and tender yet intense. It makes my heart flutter and my stomach do backflips. He pulls me in closer to him. “This thing we’re starting; I’m all in.”
“I’m all in too. Even if it does seem a little crazy.”
“Is it really that crazy?”
“No,” I shake my head. “To be honest, it’s something I’ve wanted for a long time.” I pull away from him enough to fully look at him.
He smiles down at me, “Me too.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I mean way longer than three weeks.”
Mark laughs, “So do I!”
