Waves Of The Heart (Completed)

9. Bouquet

It is date day and I have yet to make up my mind with what to do.

This is major freak out mode.

I get out of the truck and see that Erik is home today, so is Kaira. I knock on their door and Erik opens it with a smile.

"Hey Josh."

"Hey. I have a question."

"Come on in." Erik opens the door and Kaira walks over.

"Hey." She smiles. "Jade is here already. All three boys are playing in Simon's room currently. They already played a video game."

I smile. "I am happy they are friends."

I hear feet and smile as all three boys come from the room. "We are going to play another video game." Samuel calls out then stops. "Hi Uncle Josh." They sit on the couch and Simon sits between Samuel and Jade.

"Hi guys." I wave and smiles then turn to Erik and Kaira again.

"I will start dinner soon guys."

"Okay." Samuel smiles and Jade turns.

"Thank you." Jade smiles before he turns back to Samuel as they begin talking over video games to play.

"Aren't you supposed to be on a date?" Erik smirks.

I let a sigh out. "I am picking her up at six. That is the issue. I have no clue where to take her."

"Are you nervous?" Kaira smiles wide and I rub the back of my neck. "My big brother is actually blushing!"

I shoosh her and Erik kisses her head.

"Wait." Erik looks to me. "You have been on a date before though right?"

I roll my eyes. "Yes."

"Then what is the issue?" Kaira frowns.

"I want this date to be perfect. I really like Rachel."

Kaira's frown turns into a wide soft smile. "You really, really like her."

I nod and Erik smirks. "Give me a minute."

He walks over to the bookshelf that notebook of his in his hand.

"Those are for you and Kaira."

"I have more in here than we will ever use." Erik shrugs and Kaira nods. "Some she has vetoed." To which she nods again. "These are ones Kaira said no to but you might be able to get use out of them."

"Thanks." I smile and go to leave.

"Josh." Kaira starts when I turn around to face my baby sister. "Go with what feels right for the date. Don't over think it."

I nod and leave their house. I make it back to the apartment within a short time. I walk up the stairs and open my door. My body leans on the counter as I read over the couple pages Erik handed me.

Date one - Canoeing. Food options would be pizza parlor after or make a basket for a shoreline dinner. 

Date two - Dinner at the Italian restaurant. After, dancing lesson at the community center.

I read over the details a little more and a sigh comes from my lips. I can see why Kaira veto these, she doesn't like dancing much and hated canoeing the one time has has gone in the past at a camp function.

Still neither of these feel right for a first date with Rachel. I have less than an hour before I pick her up. My fingers drum on the counter top as an idea pops into my head.

My feet rush to the closest and a smirk makes way to my face. I just hope this works and is a good first date for Rachel.

________________________________________

My hand curls and I knock on the door to the address Rachel sent me. With battered breathes, I look down and smooth the dress shirt out.

I should have ironed it.

One deep breath, I hold the bouquet of flowers tighter as the door opens. Rachel stands in a dress that reaches to her knees, it is an open flare not skin tight to where I worry she may fall if she took to large of a step. The neckline shows a bit of clevage that I am secretly grateful for. That color though, lavendar, really brings out the green of her eyes, as her hair hangs in loose curls.

"Wow." I breath out and Rachel smiles. I clear my throat, "These are for you."

"They are beautiful." She takes the flowers and smells them. "Would you like to step inside so I can put these in water? Unless you are in a rush for a reservation?"

I smirk. "No rush." I step inside and she frowns. "You aren't going to get it out of me that easy."

Rachel huffs and spins before walking to the kitchen. Her house is an open floor plan, very spacey but a nice modern decorated design. "You have a beautiful home."

"Thank you." She walks in with the vase and places it on the table behind the couch.

I hold out my elbow and she wraps her hand around my bicep. We walk to the door and she takes her purse off the coat nook, I open the door and close it behind us as she stops to lock the door. I guide her to my truck and open her door. Rachel doesn't hesitate to get into the truck and I close the door, walking around. "You look stunning tonight. I wasn't sure if I mentioned that." I smile while I put the truck in drive.

"I got that when you could only get out 'wow' after oogling me from head to toe." Rachel snickers and I smirk. "I find that I really enjoyed seeing you speechless."

"You do seem to have that affect on me."

I listen to her laughter, as it makes my smile and my stomach flip.

"So do I get to know what we are doing now?"

I hum lightly. "No."

"Nervous I will not like it?"

"There is that but I also want to go for the surprise element."

Rachel places her hand on mine, I turn my hand to grab hers gently.

I drive through and it takes just a little time with traffic. I park the truck and Rachel looks around then smiles at me. I get out of the truck and close the door as she steps out.