World of If

Date

Thank you Walmart for having my back. Danny thought as he got ready for his date with Dahlia. Dress pants, check, dress shirt, check, a decent pair of shoes and socks without holes, check and check.

He looked at himself in the mirror as he attempted to straighten his hair.

Did this sweater make him look to preppy? Was he trying to hard? Maybe the sweater was clashing with his badly dyed hair. These questions flooded his mind as he looked at himself one more time. Seriously, he was overthinking it.

He was just coming out of the bathroom when Dahlia came down the stairs. Danny did his best to keep his mouth from hanging open. She was wearing a red cocktail dress, strappy heels and simple jewelry. If Danny didn't think she was fashionable when he met her on the bus he certainly thought so now.

"You look great!" He finally managed to get out.

"Thanks." Dahlia replied smoothly, "you don't look too bad yourself." She looked him up and down with a sideways smile.

"So where exactly are we going?" Danny asked taking her arm.

Dahlia smirked and her blue eyes twinkled.

"You'll find out."

"Well that better be soon because I'm driving and I have no idea where I'm going. Actually, scratch that, you better drive, I'm not exactly in line to get a license."

Dahlia only laughed.

"You're in luck Elsie trust me with the car."

The place Dahlia drove to was a quaint Italian restaurant that reminded Danny of something out of the romantic comedies Beth and her girlfriends liked to watch. Something told him his story wouldn't end up like a romantic comedy, more like an episode of Law and Order. He thought.

"You realize how cliché this is."

"I know." Dahlia quipped, "It's cute and the Bolognese is to die for!"

A short time later they were seated at a table for two. The waiter asked them about wine choice, which they both declined, Dahlia because she was driving and Danny because he had no money. They may do with ice water and soft drinks, it would have to do... For now.

On Dahlia's recommendation Danny ordered the Bolognese and Dahlia ordered ravioli. With their meal they got a basket of breadsticks which was typical of most Italian restaurants.

Maybe not in Italy. Danny conceded.

It was the best meal Danny had had in a while. Certainly he had never been to a restaurant like this except when he was visiting family in one of the larger cities in Indiana and that had been a long time ago.

They filled up the time with the lively small talk they had established on the bus to Canada. Danny learned Dahlia worked in finance but she wanted to go to law school.

"I'll probably start taking classes in the spring then go to law school after I get my Bachelors . I want to help people."

"Maybe you can help me out of a jam." Danny murmured with a chuckle.

"Hope so." Dahlia replied. They smiled at each other from across the table.

Danny and Dahlia took their time heading home. They talked until they were pretty sure the waiters were getting tired of them then Dahlia paid the bill and they left.

They talked little on the way back to the house.

"Have you said everything you wanted to say?" Dahlia teased.

Danny chuckled.

"I think so. Maybe. I don't know," Danny replied, maybe I'm just tired."

"Now you sound like a cranky old man. Is 26 the new 75?"

"Very funny." Danny muttered dryly, "I think my ego felt that one."

"What ego?" Dahlia burst out with a short laugh as she stopped at a light.

"Okay, now you're just mean!" Danny exclaimed.

They continued laughing as they made their way back to the house.

As they pulled up to the house Danny didn't know what to do with himself. Oddly, he felt like he was on a first date again.

"I guess this is good night."

"We live under the same roof," Dahlia chuckled, "I'll see you in a minute."

There was a beat of silence.

Suddenly, Dahlia kissed his cheek.

"What was that?" Danny asked her a short little laugh, "What is this, grade school?"

For the first time Dahlia looked nervous.

"I think," Danny said slowly as he slid a hand behind her neck, "it's supposed to go like this." Then he leaned forward and kissed her slowly.

When he pulled away he and Dahlia were staring at each other she still hadn't spoken.

"I think that's the first," Danny murmured smugly, "you're speechless."

Hastily, and looking flustered Dahlia gathered her purse.

"Well, let's get in before Elsie thinks I'm dead in a ditch somewhere."

Danny sighed, as he exited the car. What else did he expect from Dahlia except in anticlimactic end to their date.