Tayvis one-shots (1)

Cooking Class Date

Taylor and Travis had been looking forward to their date night for weeks. Between her world tours and his demanding NFL schedule, finding time to unwind together was a rare and cherished opportunity. So when they both had a free evening, they decided to do something different—a cooking class.

Taylor had always loved the idea of cooking, but she rarely had time to experiment in the kitchen. Travis, on the other hand, was more comfortable around a grill than a stove. The idea of learning to cook a gourmet meal together was exciting and slightly daunting for both of them.

The cooking class was held at a charming culinary school downtown. The cozy space was filled with the aromatic blend of fresh herbs and spices, and the walls were adorned with colorful posters of various cuisines. A long table in the center was prepped with ingredients, cutting boards, and gleaming kitchen utensils.

As they walked in, they were greeted by the chef, a warm and enthusiastic woman named Chef Maria. "Welcome, everyone!" she said, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Tonight, we're going to cook a three-course meal: a fresh garden salad, homemade pasta with marinara sauce, and a decadent chocolate soufflé for dessert."

Travis raised an eyebrow and whispered to Taylor, "A soufflé? I didn't even know how to spell that until just now."

Taylor giggled and squeezed his hand. "Don't worry, big guy. We'll figure it out together."

Chef Maria paired them with another couple at a cooking station. As they donned their aprons, Taylor noticed how the apron barely fit Travis's broad frame, and she couldn't help but laugh. "You look adorable," she teased.

Travis smirked. "You're just saying that because you know I'm out of my element here."

"Maybe," Taylor admitted. "But you're going to do great. Let's have fun with it."

They started with the salad. Chef Maria demonstrated how to properly chop vegetables and prepare a light vinaigrette. Travis took charge of the chopping, his large hands surprisingly deft with the knife. Taylor whisked the dressing, occasionally sneaking glances at Travis, who was intently focused on his task.

"Watch those fingers, babe," Taylor said playfully.

"Hey, I handle linebackers for a living. I think I can handle a cucumber," Travis retorted, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

They laughed and worked together seamlessly, creating a beautiful and colorful salad. Chef Maria came by to inspect their progress. "Excellent job, you two! Now, let's move on to the pasta."

Making pasta from scratch was a new experience for both of them. Taylor poured the flour onto the counter, creating a well in the center for the eggs. Travis cracked the eggs into the well, his large hands surprisingly gentle.

"Now comes the messy part," Chef Maria said with a smile. "Mix the eggs and flour until it forms a dough."

Travis and Taylor took turns kneading the dough, their hands covered in flour. "This is harder than it looks," Travis admitted, his muscles straining slightly.

Taylor nodded, her face flushed with effort. "But it's kind of fun, right? We're creating something together."

"Yeah, I like that," Travis agreed, giving her a warm smile.

Once the dough was ready, they used a pasta machine to roll it out and cut it into fettuccine. Taylor fed the dough through the machine while Travis cranked the handle. The long strands of pasta emerged, and they hung them on a rack to dry.

"Look at that! We made pasta," Taylor said, her eyes shining with pride.

Travis chuckled. "Who knew we had it in us?"

Next came the marinara sauce. Chef Maria showed them how to sauté garlic and onions before adding tomatoes and fresh basil. Taylor took the lead on this one, carefully following the instructions. The kitchen filled with the rich, savory aroma of the sauce.

Travis stood beside her, occasionally stirring the pot and sneaking tastes. "This smells amazing," he said. "You're a natural, Tay."

"Thanks," she replied, blushing slightly. "But it's definitely a team effort."

As the sauce simmered, they turned their attention to the dessert. Chef Maria explained the delicate process of making a chocolate soufflé, emphasizing the importance of timing and precision. Taylor and Travis worked in tandem, melting chocolate, whisking egg whites, and folding the mixture together.

"This is the moment of truth," Chef Maria said as they poured the batter into ramekins. "A perfect soufflé should rise beautifully in the oven."

They carefully placed the ramekins in the oven and set the timer. As they waited, Taylor and Travis chatted with the other couples, sharing stories and laughter. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and they felt a sense of camaraderie with their fellow cooking novices.

When the timer went off, everyone held their breath as Chef Maria opened the oven. To their delight, the soufflés had risen perfectly, their tops golden and slightly cracked.

"We did it!" Taylor exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.

Travis grinned and pulled her into a hug. "I knew we could."

They sat down to enjoy their meal, savoring each course. The salad was crisp and refreshing, the pasta rich and flavorful, and the soufflé light and decadent. As they ate, they reflected on the evening.

"This was so much fun," Taylor said, taking a sip of wine. "I'm glad we did this."

"Me too," Travis agreed. "It was nice to do something different and just enjoy being together."

"I love that we're always up for new experiences," Taylor said. "It keeps things exciting."

Travis nodded. "And it's even better when we're doing it together. I wouldn't have wanted to be here with anyone else."

Taylor smiled, feeling a rush of affection for Travis. "You're pretty special, you know that?"

"You're not so bad yourself, Swift," he replied, leaning in to kiss her.

As the evening came to an end, they thanked Chef Maria and said goodbye to their new friends. They left the culinary school with full stomachs and happy hearts, feeling closer than ever.

On the drive home, Taylor leaned her head on Travis's shoulder. "We should do this more often," she said softly. "Take time to just be together and try new things."

"I'd like that," Travis replied, wrapping his arm around her. "Maybe next time we can take a dance class or go on a hiking adventure."

"Whatever we do, as long as we're together, it'll be perfect," Taylor said, closing her eyes and feeling content.

Travis smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Agreed, babe. Agreed."

And with that, they drove off into the night, ready for whatever adventures their future held, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could face anything together.

Word Count: 1117