“Well…” Kat gnawed on her lip. “He does look good in his sweaters. You can’t knock it until you’ve met him all dressed up. Wait. How do you know he likes to dress up?”
Dylan coughed. “Your Instagram.”
“Really? Well, then I should say I looked you up but didn’t find any social media accounts.”
“I don’t have any.”
Kat nodded. “Okay.” She steered the conversation back to Stripes. “He looks better in his sweaters in person anyway.”
“We’ll see.” They grew quiet when the waitress set their food down. “Look, I want to apologize for freaking out on you the other day.”
Kat placed her hand atop Dylan’s. “There’s nothing for you to apologize for. Really. We all have our insecurities. I don’t think any less of you. In fact, I’m more in awe of everything you’ve had to do. Some people would have given up a long time ago.”
“I almost did.”
She said it quietly. Kat’s heart pounded in her chest, her expression open to let Dylan know she wasn’t judging her.
Dylan swirled the straw in her drink. “I kept a bottle of Vicodin in my nightstand drawer after Ian died. It was so hard, Kat.”
For a second, Kat felt faint at the thought of Dylan giving up on life. “You made it.” She didn’t want to think about a world without Dylan in it.
“I did and I’m grateful I did. I would have hated to miss out on Emma’s life. She’s a marvel. No matter what’s she’s been through, she keeps pushing on.” Dylan picked up her sandwich.
“Like her mom?”
Dylan stopped with the sandwich halfway to her mouth then lowered it. “I guess so.”
“I know so. Now, let’s enjoy our food while it’s hot, then I’ll take you for ice cream.”
“You don’t have to get back?” Dylan picked up her pickle and took a bite.
“Not until one. That is…if you want ice cream?” She crossed her fingers.
“Not really in the mood for ice cream.” Kat tried to smile through her disappointment. “But,” Dylan went on, “I wouldn’t say no to some chocolate.”
Kat sagged in her seat, then sat up straight. “I know just the place. Briley swears by it.”
“I can’t wait.”
Thirty-five minutes later, lunch was paid for and they headed to their next destination.
“We’ll cross here.” Kat placed her hand on the small of Dylan’s back and guided her across the street.
“C and C?” Dylan asked in surprise.
“Yep. My treat.” She ushered Dylan in, then lead her to the chocolate section. “Kids are in school so it’s not too busy.” Kat pointed at the display case. “What’s your poison?” Kat leaned closer to Dylan. “I like the chocolate peanut clusters. That’s what I’m getting.”
Dylan eyed the case. “I want the chocolate caramels.”
“Great choice.” Kat approached the case and ordered four of each. “And can I get a dozen of the animal shaped chocolates? I want them separate from the other two.” After paying, Kat followed Dylan’s lead outside, then down the sidewalk back toward Brew and Bake. “Park’s the other way.”
“Since you paid for lunch and got dessert, I’m buying the coffee.”
“I take mine black.”
“I kind of had a feeling.” Dylan’s mouth turned up in a slight smile.
Kat leaned back against the building to wait. Everything seemed to be going well and Dylan looked comfortable. It was exactly what she needed to help the rest of her day run smoother. Kat pushed off the wall when Dylan came out. The walk to the small park was a short one from the bakery. They found an empty picnic table and took a seat. Kat passed over Dylan’s chocolates and accepted her coffee, then put the other bag beside Dylan.
At Dylan’s questioning gaze, Kat hurried on. “For Emma.”
Dylan started, touched by the gesture. “That’s sweet of you.”
“It’s the least I can do.” Leah had told her she needed to make sure to include Emma in some of their outings even though she wasn’t with them. “I hope I didn’t overstep?”
“No, it’s thoughtful.” Dylan popped a chocolate in her mouth and chewed. After she took a sip of coffee, she turned to Kat. “This is the best chocolate I’ve ever tasted.”
“I know, right? Leah swears by the spicy chocolates.”
“You all seem close.”
Kat rested her arms on the top of the picnic table. “We are. Briley and I have always been close. I wasn’t sure about Leah at first. Not because she wasn’t great, I just wasn’t sure about her and Briley. I was hesitant about the age difference, but our parents had a twenty-year age difference and they worked out. It soon became apparent that they were made for each other. I want that someday.”
“Happy ever after?”
“Yes, but not the way you’re thinking. I’m not looking for a fairy-tale. I’m looking for someone to spend my life with and everything that entails. The good and the bad. I’m aware relationships take work, but I’m willing to put that in. You know?”
“I do know. Ian and I clicked from the beginning and we worked. It wasn’t easy, but I knew it wasn’t supposed to be. We were happy.”
“He seemed great.”
“He was. He had his issues, but we were a team.”
“That’s what I want. To be a team with someone, but I also know what Bri and Leah put into their relationship. Right now, I’m not sure I have the time for that.”
“You’re making time for me.” Dylan smiled at her and Kat’s stomach fluttered.
“Well…” Kat ran her fingers through her hair. “You’re worth it. I like what we’re doing, Dylan. I hope you do too.”
“I do. It’s nice having someone else I can talk to besides family and Haley.”
“Haley?”
“My co-worker. The woman working next to me at the gala. We get on well and hang out once or twice a month outside of work.”
“I’m like that with Kyle. He’s great and I’m so glad I hired him.” Kat gathered her trash and rubbed her hands together. “So, for next week I was hoping, maybe, we could do something different.”
“Like what?” Dylan added her trash to the pile.
“Next week is the week of the food truck extravaganza at the park, as Briley likes to call it. I thought we could take a few hours and explore that.” Kat picked up her cup and took a sip to calm her nerves. The longer the silence went on, the more her unease grew. “Or not.”
Dylan cocked her head and smiled. “I would like that.”
“Really?”
“Really. One thing you should know is that I never say something I don’t mean.”
“Noted.” Kat couldn’t stop her smile even if she tried. “So, Thursday at eleven?”
Dylan stood, and Kat followed. “Thursday at eleven.”
Dylan, sit down,” Iris said.
It’s not what she wanted to do, but she did as her mom asked and sat beside her on the couch. Today was her third lunch friend date with Kat and she was far more nervous for today than the previous two. For one, they would be spending more time together than any other time, and two, these lunches had felt like dates, real dates, not friend dates.
“Stop overthinking things.” Iris squeezed her hand. “Have fun.”
“Mom, it’s not that simple.”
“Of course it is. You’re getting to know each other; it’s okay to like her. You’re friends.”
“I wouldn’t—”
“You are. You text and talk with her all the time. It’s good to see you putting yourself out there. Go and have a good time.”
That was easy for her mom to say. The previous night, Emma had asked when she would get to meet Kat and Dylan hadn’t known what to say because it was too soon, but on the other hand, they’d already met once before. The last thing she wanted was for Emma to get attached, and maybe hurt if the friendship didn’t work out. But she’d promised her she would ask Kat to go to the Garriety Zoo with them on Saturday.
“Besides, today you’ll get another flower to add to your collection.”
It was sweet that Kat took the time to research flower meanings and Dylan looked forward to what she chose. From the onset, she knew Kat was different than most other people she’d met. She wanted to preserve every moment with her, from journaling, to drying and pressing the flowers. She’d started with the dandelion.
“She’s a romantic,” Iris said. “I like that.”
“I do too.” Dylan sighed and picked at the cushion on the couch. “I don’t want to rush into anything. Mom, I’ve been alone a long time. Kat’s not like anyone I’ve ever met before. She’s warm, funny, and she listens. Really listens.”
Iris patted her cheek. “It’s time you started seeing yourself like the rest of us see you. Now, you need to get going. You don’t want to be late and you look lovely today. That dress is beautiful.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Dylan checked her phone and stood. As it was, she was cutting it short getting to the park before their meeting time. “I love you, and I’ll see you later.” Dylan kissed her on the cheek and bounded out the front door.
It was cooler today, but she’d wanted to look good and had chosen a floral Maxi dress that she’d bought at the Garriety Thrift and Buy the previous weekend out with Emma. At first glance she’d fallen in love with the black dress with a bright and colorful floral print. The kimono sleeves, deep V front, and back neckline had sold her. She wasn’t sure about the stretch, striped waistband, but Emma had given her approval. It didn’t hurt that she looked good in it too. The ten-dollar price tag was also incentive to bring it home.
Finding a parking spot in the park was more of a challenge then she anticipated, but after fifteen minutes of searching, she found one. While making her way through the crowd, she didn’t see Kat. After scanning the area, she sent Kat a text asking her location. Not a few seconds later, she received one back from Kat, informing she would come for her.
Dylan spied Kat before Kat saw her. Dressed in a pair of dark washed skinny jeans, a Garriety Meerkats baseball tee, and well-worn sneakers, Kat looked like the all-American dream. More than a few eyes turned to stare at her. Today she wore her hair as a faux hawk again. Dylan would love to run a hand through it.
She waved when Kat stopped and looked around. Her heart pounded when Kat spotted her, and a smile blossomed.
She noticed Kat didn’t have a flower with her.
“I know what you’re thinking. No flower,” was the first thing Kat said when she approached.
“So, you can read my mind?” She said it with a smile to take the bite out of her words. She was disappointed but didn’t want to be too easy to read.
Kat held up her hands. “It’s my superpower and I know you’re wondering where your flower is. No worries. I planned to pick one up before we part ways. I didn’t want it to get smashed.”
“So, you’re anticipating a long lunch haul.”
“Are you kidding? This is awesome.” Kat rubbed her hands together and Dylan couldn’t help but slip her arm through Kat’s. It was the first time she’d initiated this kind of touching, but the moment called for it. She was thankful that Kat didn’t miss a beat and guided her toward the first food truck. “How about you pick two and I’ll pick two and we’ll share.”
How much were they going to eat? “Sounds good to me.”
An hour later, they were seated at a large picnic table, but thankfully they had the end to themselves. Dylan wasn’t crazy about sharing her table with anyone, but there wasn’t anywhere else to sit.
The wide array of food on the table was eclectic. She’d chosen tacos and pot-stickers. Kat had chosen fried chicken pieces with three dipping sauces and a set of four burger sliders. They’d both settled on water to drink. They’d added a basket of French fries because why not. “I’m not sure where to start.”
“This is where we start,” Kat said, pushing the basket of fried chicken pieces and dipping sauces to the center of the table. She dipped a piece in then held it up. Dylan hesitated for a moment before leaning forward and taking it off Kat’s fingers. Kat’s wide-eyed look was well worth it.
Dylan held back a chuckle while she chewed. “That was good.”
Kat coughed, then hurriedly dipped a chicken piece and popped it in her mouth.
As soon as the chicken was finished, Dylan grabbed the basket of pot stickers and sauce. “Have you ever ordered from this truck before?”
“Nope.”
“Me either. So, our first time.” Dylan winked and enjoyed the dusting of pink raising up Kat’s cheeks.
“Yes, well.”
When they were finished, Kat gathered all their trash and threw it away. “How about a walk, then we can think about dessert?”
“Sounds good.” Dylan stood and joined her.
“I didn’t say anything earlier, but your dress is pretty.”
Dylan looked Kat up and down, a small smile playing on her lips. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Kat waved her hand. “Compared to you, I’m underdressed.” She frowned at her shirt.
“Don’t beat yourself up. You look fine.”
Kat led them toward the hill overlooking the river and leaned back against a tree. Dylan leaned back beside her. “I didn’t ask before, but how are your flowers doing?” She hoped the flowers had at least taken root. It would be a shame if they hadn’t. They were beautiful flowers.
Kat dug out her phone and pulled up photos. “Evan treats them like his babies. He’s over at the house before he goes to school to check on them.”
Dylan accepted the phone and scrolled through the pictures. When she swiped to the next photo, she stopped. Kat and Briley stood next to each other, but that wasn’t what held her attention. No, they were both in workout gear. Their running shorts were red, but where Briley wore a tank top, Kat had on a sports bra. It must have been after a work out because they both glistened with sweat.
“Is something wrong with them?” Kat questioned, then peeked at the phone. “We run.”
She knew that. Kat’s abs were well-defined and the v that ran into her shorts was the hottest thing she’d ever seen. She handed over the phone when Kat started fidgeting. “Maybe I should start running?” It was something she’d done when younger but had let it go after Ian’s car accident. Seeing a ripped Kat gave her a bit of incentive.
“Only if it’s something you really want. If it’s not, you’ll get discouraged. If you want to get more exercise, do something that’s fun for you. Trust me. I thought I would enjoy cross fit, but it wasn’t for me. Leah refuses to run with us. She takes a spinning class and yoga.”
“I have thought about spinning class, but I’m not sure. The last time I joined a gym I was fifty pounds heavier and felt self-conscious.”
“That’s awesome.”
“What?” Dylan looked at her sharply.
Kat held her hands up. “Not the self-conscious part, but that you’ve lost fifty pounds. It’s hard work. You should be proud of yourself. And frankly, people that frequent gyms can be assholes. Leah goes to a spinning studio in downtown Garriety. She refused to join Fitness Elite, because everyone looked and acted like they were better than her. I thought I was going to have to hold Briley back from going down there and telling them all off.”
Dylan sighed, then voiced the one question she wondered about. “It doesn’t bother you?”
“What?” Kat turned so that she was facing Dylan. Kat reached out and pushed the hair out of Dylan’s face, then realized what she was doing and stuffed her hand in her pocket.
“That I’m overweight. You look amazing and it’s plain that you work hard on your body. Let’s face it, I am, by doctors’ standards, overweight. A person who is five-foot-four’s ideal weight should be between one hundred and ten and one hundred and thirty-four pounds. I haven’t been that small in years. Though, when you think about it, a size ten doesn’t seem fat.” Dylan laughed, but sobered when Kat ground her teeth together and l
ooked to be composing herself.
Kat turned with her back to the tree to look out over the water. “Have you felt this way since the first time we talked?”
“I always feel this way.”
“Okay, look.” Kat held her hand out. “Come on.” She wiggled her fingers.
Without hesitation, Dylan slipped her hand in Kat’s. She tried to tame her pounding heart as Kat led them to a secluded spot. Letting go of Dylan’s hand, Kat grabbed her shirt and pulled it over her head to expose her tank top. This move caught Dylan by surprise. Kat laid the shirt on the ground and extended her hand out to Dylan. “May I help you down?”
Kat had taken her shirt off, so she could sit on it. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Don’t be silly, I didn’t want you to ruin your dress.”
“It was only ten dollars at a thrift store.” Dylan took the offered hand and Kat assisted her to sit.
“Doesn’t matter, it looks really nice on you.” Kat set cross-legged across from Dylan and reached her hands out for Dylan to take. “First things first. Your weight doesn’t bother me, but it seems to bother you. I like you the way you are.” She lightly squeezed Dylan’s hands. “You’re a beautiful woman. Inside and out. I’m not now, nor will I ever be ashamed or embarrassed to be with you. Please, believe me.”
“I do.” She did. Kat had a way with words, but she always seemed so perfect. Did the woman have any flaws? “I was a size six before Ian had his accident.” Kat squeezed her hands in encouragement. “I spent months in the hospital with Emma and there wasn’t much to do.” She laughed. “My time was taken up with either eating or knitting. Some beautiful scarves and hats came out of that. I made baby size ones and donated them to the nursery in the hospital. I gained so much weight I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore. I didn’t feel like me. You know?”
“I do. Maybe not weight wise, but I felt dead inside going to work every day when I was a full-time accountant. I felt hollow and like I was going through the motions. Life was stagnant.”
“It always felt like I was pushing when the door said pull. Then when someone would come visit Emma, they would bring treats. I ate my thoughts, my feelings, and my fears. When half your world was already dead, and the other half was hanging on by a thread, life doesn’t really feel all that important. I told you I thought about ending it.” She shook her head. “Suicide. My therapist said I should call it what it was. At the time, it felt right, but there was always something holding me back. Most of the week I would spend sleeping at the hospital, but those other days I would spend in my bed at home. Alone. The temptations were so strong, but then I would pick up the picture of Emma from off the nightstand, shut the drawer with the pain pills, roll over, and go to sleep.”
Blueprint for Romance Page 11