First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 73

  The sun is just starting to break through the clouds after a quick rain when I lean in the doorway of our bedroom, where Taytum is looking through the closet. I cross my arms and with a soft smile on my face I stare a little longer than necessary.

  "Your moms said they'll keep KK for a few hours. You and me, we're going on a date."

  Taytum blinks from where she's pulling her hoodie over her head. "Wait. You planned something?"

  "Sure did. Nothing fancy. Just us." I step forward, brushing Taytum's loose strands of hair out of her face. "Get your shoes. I'm not telling you where we're going."

  We walk KK next door and ten minutes later, we are in my car with music playing low. Taytum keeps sneaking glances at me, trying to figure out where we're headed, but I keep my mouth shut and eyes on the road, clearly enjoying the surprise. When I pull into the small gravel lot and park in front of the old diner, Taytum lets out a little gasp.

  "No way," she says. "You brought me here, again."

  "Of course I did." I grin, turning the engine off. "Figured it was time we came back."

  From the outside, the place still looks like it should've been condemned years ago, chipped paint, crooked sign, windows slightly fogged but the moment you step inside, it's like time rewinds to 1959. Red leather booths, checkerboard floors, old jukebox in the corner humming faintly.

  We slide into a booth near the back, and I watch as Taytum takes it all in with the same wonder she had the first time.

  "This place makes me weirdly happy," Taytum admits, pulling a menu toward her.

  "It should. Last time we came, you devoured a double cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake like you hadn't eaten in days."

  Taytum laughs. "I was nervous. That was kinda my first real date with you."

  I can't help but laugh, "that wasn't a date."

  Taytum smiles at me, "was to me."

  I shake my head and roll my eyes because it definitely wasn't a date but it's cute that Taytum considered it one. I guess I had been oblivious to her having a crush on me for so long.

  When the waitress arrives at our booth, we order burgers, fries, and two chocolate shakes, then settle into that easy rhythm that only exists between people who know each other's silence. Taytum's hand finds mine across the table halfway through waiting on our food.

  "Thanks for this. I didn't realize how much I needed a little escape."

  "Me either," I say. "I've been so in my head lately. This felt right. Remember when I brought you here the first time and that waitress tried flirting with you?" I say with a smile remembering how Taytum paid her no mind that day.

  Taytum looks at me for a second, "oh yeah, I didn't like her. Why try and flirt with me when I'm sitting here with a drop dead, beautiful woman. Who does that?"

  I laugh and shrug, "apparently her but it's not like we were together."

  Taytum looks at me with a serious look, "Dani, I only had eyes for you. Still only have eyes for you. I don't even remember what she even looked like and she could walk up to me now, completely naked even, and she still wouldn't have my attention. She was disrespectful. Nobody could ever compare to you." I smile at Taytum's honesty and I swear she makes my heart beat faster and my stomach flutter just from how much she loves me.

  We take our time, finish every bite, and share one last milkshake before heading out. The afternoon sky is clear now with no cloud in sight, and the drive back is quiet but not awkward, just full.