First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 17

  Once Dani's class is over, I walk with her back to her office so I can have just a little more time with the beautiful brunette and so we can actually talk privately. I do not want to take up alot of Dani's time because she has another lesson to teach in 30 minutes and I want her to have a little bit of down time before then. When the office door closes behind us, I watch Dani walk to her desk and she immediately sinks down into her desk chair then motions for me to sit down. Instead of sitting in one of the chairs in front of her desk, I decided to sit on the corner of her desk since I will be leaving in a few minutes. "Are you sure about dinner tonight Dani? You seem kind of tired."

  Dani looks up at me and smiles. "Yes Taytum, I am sure about cooking dinner for you tonight. I might be a little tired but I want to do this for you. I promise I'm not to tired if that's what you are worried about. Okay?"

  I smile down at Dani and nod my head in understanding. "Okay, I just wanted to be sure. I don't want you to feel like you have to go out of your way for me. Is there anything I can bring for dinner?"

  Dani playfully rolls her eyes and shakes her head. "No sweetheart, just yourself and your appetite."

  I slide off the corner of Dani's desk and bend down, placing a kiss to her forehead. "Okay, just wanted to be sure." I stand back up and head towards the door. Right before I reach the door I look back at Dani, "see you at six, Professor Howard." I laugh at the look I am given. I quickly slip out of the door and close it behind me as I see Dani pick up a post-it notepad and get ready to throw it towards me.

  When I left campus I went shopping for a few things I needed and for a couple things I wanted to get for tonight's dinner at Dani's even though she said there was nothing I needed to bring. I bought a Tiana plush doll for KK because Princess and the Frog is her favorite movie and Tiana is her favorite princess. Next, I stopped and grabbed a nice bottle of red wine and a gorgeous bouquet of red roses with white oriental lilies. I got home around 4:30 so once I got everything inside, I headed straight to my en-suite so I could get a shower.

  I study my reflection again before I head next door to Dani's. I didn't want to dress up but didn't want to wear sweats either so I chose light blue ripped jeans, a black t-shirt and white slip on Vans. I didn't bother blow drying my hair so I put it up in a messy bun. I spray some Dolce and Gabbana The One on and finally feel like I'm ready to go. I grab the Tiana doll, wine and bouquet of flowers then take a deep breath. I walk next door with an extra pep in my step, ready to see Dani and KK.

  I ring the doorbell and it's not long before the door opens, revealing the woman that occupies my mind. Dani is wearing black leggings and an oversized off the shoulder shirt. She looks so relaxed, comfortable, beautiful and just, perfect. "Dani, you look... wow. As long as I have known you, I have never seen you in such relaxed and comfortable clothes. I love it."

  Dani looks down with a smile then looks back up. "Thank you sweetheart, that's kind of you to say but I know I look awful. You on the other hand look great though."

  I frown as I pass by Dani when she motions me inside. I am already looking at her when she closes the door and turns around. "These are for you," I say as I hand her the flowers. She smiles and stands on her tiptoes, placing a kiss on my cheek. "Also, I was being honest about the way you are dressed. I absolutely love it. You look great in anything you wear but seeing you so relaxed and comfortable makes you even more beautiful."

  "Thank you sweetheart, you always have a way with words. The flowers are beautiful and my two favorite flowers. How do you know those are my favorites? Let me put them in water, come on." Dani walks towards the kitchen and I follow behind her.

  "I remember you and mama talking a couple years ago and you mentioned red roses and oriental lilies were your favorite. It smells amazing in here." I glance towards the stove trying to see what Dani cooked as I sit the bottle of wine and the Tiana plush doll on the counter. "I brought a bottle of red wine to go with dinner for you and I. Only if you want that, if not then you can put it up for another time."

  Dani glances over her shoulder at me with a smile as she fills a vase with water. "Thank you. I made five cheese ziti, I hope that's okay. Kadence loves it so I definitely wanted to fix something she would eat too. Plus I whipped up a salad as well and the red wine will be perfect with dinner even though I told you that you didn't have to bring anything."

  Dani turns her attention back to the vase so she can add the flowers. I take a few steps towards her. "The food sounds perfect and the company makes it even more perfect." I softly say as I stop right behind her. I watch as Dani stops her movements and I hear her suck in a sharp breath. "Dani..." I whisper because I have this overwhelming urge to kiss her but I want to make sure it's okay first. She turns facing me and I watch her eyes flutter open and she is biting her bottom lip.

  I close the distance between us and tuck a stray strand of hair behind Dani's ear. She releases her lip and looks up at me and our eyes meet. Before either of us can do anything we hear the patter of little bare feet coming down the stairs then towards the kitchen as KK comes running causing Dani to quickly turn back around and clear her throat.

  "TayTay!" Kadence exclaims as I turn my attention to the little girl and she runs then jumps into my arms. I hoist the adorable little girl up in my arms and tickle her side causing her to laugh.

  "Hey, princess," I greet which causes KK to smile, then she wraps her little arms around my neck and gives me a big hug.

  "Kadence, not so hard baby. Taytum has to be able to breathe honey." Dani tells her daughter as she smiles apologetically at me.

  I wink at Dani as I whisper, "I have something for you" in KK's ear. The little girl jerks back and looks at me excitedly with big green eyes that remind me of her mother's. "Close your eyes," I say before I turn towards the counter. With KK's eyes squeezed shut I pick up the Tiana plush and hold it in front of her. "Okay KK, you can open your eyes."

  KK squeals as she opens her eyes and see's the Tiana plush doll in my hand. Her little green eyes light up just like her moms and it's beautiful. "You got Princess Frog for me? She's my favorite."

  I chuckle at the excited little girl in my arms as she hugs the Tiana plush. As excited as she is you would think she had never been given a gift before which obviously I know she has. KK suddenly hugs my neck again just as tightly "thank you TayTay, I love it and I love you."

  Hearing KK say those three words to me causes a lump to form in my throat. I hug her tight against me "I love you too princess." I close my eyes and soak in this amazing feeling.

  I open my eyes as KK releases my neck and she plants a kiss on my cheek." I go play." KK states as she squirms to get down. I set her down on the floor and she takes off running down the hall to her playroom that's downstairs.

  I turn my attention to Dani and she is already looking at me with a hint of a smile. "What?" I ask as I turn towards her.

  Dani bites her lip as she looks down then looks back up at me. "You just... I...." Her words trail off and before I can ask her what she was trying to say, the oven timer goes off. Dani clears her throat and turns to the oven. "Dinners ready. Can you go get Kadence?" She calls over her shoulder as she opens the oven to take the baked ziti out.

  "Of course." I softly say as I walk out of the kitchen. There was something in Dani's eyes when she was looking at me. I really would like to know what she was thinking or trying to say but I know there's no use in asking her because she will not tell me. She stopped herself for a reason so I should respect that.