The Farmhand's Crush

Chapter: 9

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, I found myself in Nic's kitchen, the aroma of something delicious wafting through the air. After their afternoon of riding, I felt happy and excited for our dinner date, a cozy ending to an already perfect day.

"Are you hungry?" Nic asked, glancing over his shoulder as he stirred a pot on the stove. He wore an apron with a playful print of cartoon vegetables, which made me chuckle at him.

"Starving, What are you cooking?" I replied, leaning against the counter, my heart fluttering at the sight of him so effortlessly in his element.

"Pasta primavera with a side salad," he said with a grin. "I figured I'd keep it simple but fresh. I hope you like it!"

"It sounds amazing, I love pasta," I said, my mouth watering at the thought. I reached for the fresh basil on the counter and inhaled the fragrant scent. "And the kitchen smells incredible."

"Thanks! I'm glad you're here to enjoy it with me, my parents in which I heard you have already met are out at the moment and they took my siblings with them so we could have the house to ourselfs so your comfortable" he said, his eyes meeting mine. There was a warmth in his gaze that made her stomach flutter.

"They didnt have to".

As we chatted, we prepped the salad together, slicing vegetables and tossing them in a large bowl. Laughter filled the kitchen as we shared stories about our childhood favorites, our clumsy attempts at cooking, and our dreams for the future.

"Can you believe I almost burned my kitchen down trying to make toast once?" I said, laughing as I recalled the memory.

"No way, How do you even manage that?" Nic teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"I got distracted watching a movie and forgot about it completely!" I admitted, shaking my head. "Let's just say I learned my lesson."

With dinner finally ready, we set the table up outside on the patio, fairy lights twinkling above them, casting a warm glow over the scene. The sky had darkened to a deep navy, and the stars began to peek through the evening veil.

"Wow, this looks amazing" I exclaimed, taking in the candlelit table adorned with the colorful salad and steaming pasta. "You really went all out."

"Only the best for my dinner date with you" Nic said, his voice playful yet sincere. We settled into the chairs, and as we ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly, filled by laughter and the occasional comfortable silence.

After we finished the main course, Nic leaned back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. "So, what do you think? Did I earn a good cooking rating?"

"Definitely a solid ten!" I replied, grinning. "You should start a cooking blog or something."

"Maybe I will," he said with a mock-serious expression, then burst into laughter. "But only if you promise to be my taste tester."

"Deal!" I said, feeling a warmth spread through me as our eyes locked. The atmosphere was charged with an unspoken tension that made my heart race.

As we cleared the table, Nic pulled out a small box. "I made dessert too. Hope you're ready for some chocolate mousse!"

My eyes widened with delight. "You're really spoiling me tonight!"

"I can't help it. You make it easy," he replied, and my heart skipped a beat at his words.

After dessert, we moved to the cozy living room, the soft glow of the candles creating a warm ambiance. Nic put on some music, and we settled into comfortable chairs, reminiscing about our day and discussing our favorite artists and influences.

"I love how passionate you are about art," Nic said, his gaze sincere. "It's inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their craft."

"Thank you, That means a lot coming from you," I replied, feeling my cheeks warm under his gaze. "I think you inspire me too. The way you talk about your work and your family's farm—it's so refreshing."

As the night wore on, the conversation deepened, revealing layers of our personalities that drew us closer. We shared more dreams and fears, hopes for the future, and the little things that made us who we are.

Eventually, the evening quieted, the music fading into the background. I glanced at the clock and realized it was getting late. "Wow, I can't believe how fast time flew by," I said, feeling a mix of contentment and reluctance.

"I know. I've had an incredible time," Nic said, leaning slightly closer. "I'm really glad we did this."

I felt my heart racing as our eyes met, the energy between us palpable. I could sense that something was shifting in the air, a moment hanging between them that felt charged with possibility.

"Me too," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "This day has been perfect."

With the night wrapping around them, I felt a thrill of anticipation. As I stood to grab my things, Nic moved closer, blocking my path, his expression earnest. "Wait, Faye."

I looked up, my breath catching as he leaned in slightly. "Can I—may I kiss you?"

The question hung in the air, and I felt a rush of warmth flood my cheeks. "Yes," I breathed, feeling a surge of excitement and nervousness.

In that moment, Nic closed the distance between us, his lips brushing against my softly at first, then deepening as we melted into the kiss. It was sweet and tender, filled with the promise of something more. I felt my heart soar, the world around us fading as I surrendered to the moment.

When we finally pulled away, breathless and wide-eyed, a smile broke across Nic's face. "Wow," he said, his voice a mixture of awe and delight.

"Wow, indeed," I echoed, my heart racing. "I didn't expect that to happen tonight."

"Neither did I," Nic admitted, his gaze steady and warm. "But I'm really glad it did."

As we stood there, wrapped in the glow of the evening, I felt a sense of hope blooming inside me. This was more than just a kiss; it felt like the start of something beautiful, a new chapter in my life filled with adventure, creativity, and connection.

"Thank you for everything today," I said, my voice softening. "I had the best time."

"Anytime, City. I can't wait for our next adventure," Nic replied, his smile infectious.

With my heart still fluttering, I finally made my way to the door, knowing that this day would be one I'd remember forever. As I stepped outside, the cool night air kissed my cheeks, and I felt a sense of excitement for the newfound relationship starting.