Blueprint for Romance

by Shannon M Harris

  Dylan’s voice was a little breathless. “Another thing I can add to the list that you’re good at.”

  Kat looked a bit off balance. “So, I’m a list now?”

  “Yes.” Dylan slipped her arms around Kat’s neck and stroked the hair on Kat’s nape. It was softer than she thought it would be. “You mean more to me right now than I’m ready to admit. Just know, I’m here because I want to be, not because I feel like I should be.”

  “I know. We have things to work on, and I feel we’re on the right track. I don’t mind admitting I’m scared as long as you don’t run because of it.”

  “I will never run when you’re being honest with me. I don’t want secrets between us. I want to be able to come to you with my hopes, and my fears,” Dylan said.

  Kat pecked her on the lips. “You mean more to me than I’m willing to admit right now too.”

  Dylan pulled away and flopped down on the couch, pulling a willing Kat with her. “Can we cuddle?” It was the first time she’d ever tried to initiate anything physical with Kat, but she knew Kat would never laugh at or judge her for anything she wanted.

  “Are you kidding? I am an ace cuddler.” Kat leaned back on the couch and opened her left arm for Dylan to cuddle against her. Dylan obliged, liking the feel of Kat’s arm holding her close as she sunk into the warmth that was Kat.

  “Do you have a trophy for said cuddling?”

  Kat let out an amused snort. “No, but I should.”

  “Well, considering I’m your girlfriend, it looks like the acquisition of said trophy will fall to me.” Dylan closed her eyes as Kat’s warmth immersed her in contentment.

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Kat kissed the top of her head and held her tighter.

  Dylan spent the next hour with Kat. When home and in her bed, memories of Kat’s kisses danced in her mind. The reality was so much better than her day dreams.

  With a yawn, Kat stretched before swinging her legs off the bed to stand. After she breezed through her morning routine, and ate breakfast, she spent the morning with Stripes. Today was the first day of what she deemed Operation Envelopes. Also, Dylan and Emma were expecting her for lunch. Last month, she’d presented the envelopes to them, and both seemed excited by the prospect. They were impressed by the envelopes, and Kat had to come clean and tell them Briley had been the driving force behind the decorations.

  Even though she had spent the last few months getting to know them, today felt different. Probably because it was the beginning of the next year for all of them. Nerves had started the night before after her nightly talk with Dylan and hadn’t let up since. This Saturday was the first she’d had off this month and she felt excited for what the day would bring. With Halloween less than a month away, she’d wanted to get started on activities with them both.

  Over the past month, she and Dylan had kept a clear line of communication open, but Kat had a feeling Dylan was still holding herself back a little. The main priority right now was making sure Dylan felt secure in their relationship. Kat was terrified it would all blow up in their faces or Dylan would realize it would be best for them to just be friends after all.

  Today was month one and she wanted to start off with something Emma was familiar with. Kat went back and forth but decided on an afternoon of painting with Emma. New places or activities would sometimes overwhelm Emma and Kat didn’t want her to be uncomfortable. Her feelings for Emma were as deep as those for Dylan. She wanted to make sure Emma knew that. Thinking that, in the future, Emma could consider her a mother figure was awe inducing.

  Tonight, she was taking Dylan out for their first dinner date. Dylan had looked skeptical when she held her first envelope and saw the rainbow on the cover. She became even more stumped after opening it to reveal the word ‘dinner.’ Emma had figured out the location was at the riverfront where a twenty-foot-tall and eighty feet long rainbow sculpture had recently been installed.

  The plan was to finish up with Emma around five, rush home, shower, and change, then be back by six-thirty to pick Dylan up. With the help of Briley and Leah, she’d chosen what she hoped was the perfect outfit. She might not have Briley’s moves, but she could treat a woman to a fun night out and look good doing it. The day before, Kat had Lucille, her Corvette Stingray, detailed for their date.

  After wiping off the kitchen counter, she turned on the radio, then danced into the living room. The workout that morning had done nothing to calm her nerves, so she needed to burn off some energy. She lifted Stripes off the floor, fell onto the couch, then cuddled him on her chest. “Is this what it feels like to be happy, Stripes?”

  “It’s exactly what it feels like.”

  Kat almost jumped off the couch, startling Stripes. “Shit, Briley. You can’t keep coming in here like that.”

  “Says who?” Briley settled into the chair across from the couch. “You’re the one that gave me a key.”

  “Says me…and that was just for emergencies.” Kat closed her eyes and relaxed to bring her breathing back to even.

  “Are you excited for today?”

  Kat popped one eye open. “So excited.”

  With a grin, Briley lifted her phone to snap a picture. “You two look adorable.”

  “Of course.”

  “So,” Briley said after a moment.

  Kat sat up, lifting her legs to the coffee table. “What did you bring?”

  “Here.” Briley thrust it into Kat’s hands. “I made you some shortbread cookies to take with you.”

  “Thanks, Bri. You’re my favorite sister.” Shortbread was her favorite. “You know I don’t have to exercise as much since I moved out of your house.” She plopped a piece of a cookie into her mouth.

  “At least I’m something,” Briley mumbled. She shook her finger at Kat. “Please, you miss living with me.”

  “Only occasionally.”

  “Sure.” They both sat quietly, comfortable in the silence. “You’re taking Dylan to Mario’s, aren’t you?”

  Kat set the cookies aside. “I’ve had the reservation for a month. You did recommend it.”

  “I’ve taken Leah there a few times. We both enjoyed it. Nice atmosphere, fantastic food, plus you can take a walk by the floodwalls and look at the murals afterward.”

  “That’s the plan, plus the new sculptures that were put in.”

  “Sounds good.” Briley stood. “Don’t forget we won’t be here next weekend.”

  Kat rolled her eyes. This was about the tenth time Briley had reminded her. Over Christmas, Briley had gotten to know Madison, Leah’s daughter, and her family, but was still nervous about spending time with them. “I know, Bri. You’re going camping. Madison likes you; you don’t have to be worried.” Kat walked over to Briley. “You know something?”

  “What?” Briley nervously bit on a thumbnail.

  “Being with Leah has been good for you. Getting to know her kids has been good for you. Falling in love and becoming a mother has done wonders for you.”

  “Don’t I know it. Well, I had better get going.” Briley walked to the front door, then leaned against it. “Have fun and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  “Get out.”

  Kat shut the door on a laughing Briley. She couldn’t help the smile that broke out. Today was going to be a good day.

  An hour later, she gave herself a mini pep talk before heading to Dylan’s house. Iris was spending the day shopping before she came back to watch Emma while they went out to dinner.

  Her stomach flopped as she pulled into the drive and saw the living room curtains move. This wasn’t the first time she’d visited here, but it felt different. When the front door opened, Emma walked out and waved. This put Kat’s nerves to rest. She grabbed the box of supplies she’d bought and exited the truck. With a short pause, she took in the scene in front of her. Dylan stood behind Emma, wearing an apron and a dishtowel thrown over her shoulder. Wow, sexy and all mine. Deep breath, Kat.

  Emma gave her a tight
hug when she stepped onto the porch. Kat kissed the top of her head, then set the box on the swing to wrap her up in a proper hug.

  “Emma, go wash up. Lunch is ready,” Dylan said.

  “Okay, Mom.” Emma left to do as instructed.

  Dylan stepped forward and grabbed the lapels of Kat’s button-down to pull her forward until they were a breath apart. Kat placed her hands on Dylan’s hips and leaned forward and kissed her.

  “You can kiss later,” Emma called out from behind them. “I’m hungry.”

  Kat smiled into the kiss before pulling back. “She’s hungry.”

  Dylan drew her into a warm embrace. Dylan wasn’t often snuggly, and Kat missed the contact as soon as Dylan pulled away.

  “Let’s eat,” Dylan said.

  Kat picked the box up and followed Dylan into the house.

  “Put the box on the couch, then come to the table,” Dylan instructed.

  Once they were seated, Kat picked up her glass of water and held it up. “A toast.” Dylan and Emma followed suit. “To having fun today.”

  “Having fun,” Emma chimed.

  “To fun,” Dylan said.

  Kat noticed the smirk on Dylan’s oh so kissable lips and felt a rush of heat to her face. She quickly dove into eating her chicken salad sandwich.

  “So, Kat,” Emma said. “What did you bring?”

  “Painting supplies. I bought a few canvases and thought we could go crazy with them. We can hang one up here and I can hang one up at work to brighten the place up. It’ll be fun.”

  “That will be fun. Have you ever painted before?”

  “Nope, but you have, and I’ll just follow your lead.”

  “I can do that.” Emma looked subdued, her expression a bit sad.

  After they finished their lunch, Emma went into the living room to get everything ready. Kat pulled Dylan to a stop when she was clearing the table.

  “You okay?” Dylan slipped her arms around Kat and pulled her close.

  “She doesn’t hate what we have planned, does she?”

  “No, she doesn’t. She’s a little sad that Dad had to cancel their fishing trip next weekend. That’s all. Once you two get started, she’ll talk your ear off.”

  “Good. I want her to feel comfortable with me.” She sank into the warmth of Dylan’s arms about her.

  “She is, but the more time you two spend together you’ll see how relaxed she really is.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “I can’t either. I’m glad you’re here, Kat.”

  “I am too.” She had a feeling today was going to be great.

  Dylan looked in the bedroom mirror, smoothed her hands over her stomach, and debated for the tenth time about the dress she’d chosen. Kat had said dress nice, but not fancy, though their definitions of the words could be different. The blue striped, sleeveless fit and flare dress fit that description, but maybe it was too simple. This was one reason why she didn’t date much. Not just because of the time involved, but all the other details. Was it enough? Not enough? Should her hair be up or down? She huffed and turned away from the mirror, gasping at her mom standing by her door.

  “You look beautiful, honey.”

  “It’s…”

  “Hush.” Iris grasped Dylan’s hands. “You look beautiful and Kat will be blown away. You deserve to be happy.”

  “I’m scared, Mom. What Ian and I had was nice. Comfortable, but what I feel for Kat keeps me awake at night and has me thinking long term.” She squeezed Iris’s hands. “Does that make me a bad person?”

  “What? No. Come here.” Iris patted the bed beside her for Dylan to sit. “What you and Ian had was real and you loved each other. What you feel for Kat will never diminish that or your relationship with him. Don’t compare Kat to Ian or Ian to Kat; you won’t like the outcome and you’ll always be judging Kat by something that’s not her fault. I like Kat, but I’m still skeptical about her, as I am Harold.”

  Dylan laughed. Her mom and Macy’s husband still didn’t get along all that well, but they were always cordial to each other and Macy and Harold had been married for fifteen years.

  “But,” Iris said. “If you’re still having doubts about being with her, you need to make a decision soon. There is no need to string you both along.”

  “I’m not having doubts, per se. I guess.” Dylan huffed and stood. “I guess I feel like I’m free-falling without a net, and I’m okay with that.” She laughed. “That’s crazy, right?”

  “Oh, honey,” Iris stood, “it’s not crazy. It’s love.”

  “It’s too soon for that. For God’s sake, she hasn’t even had to sit through one of Macy and Harold’s cookouts yet.”

  “She will in a couple of weeks.”

  Dylan wrung her hands. “But it hasn’t been that long.”

  “You’ve known her for almost six months. I want you to be honest with me and honest with yourself, Dylan. Even since the beginning, she’s never just been your friend. Your relationship with her has always been more than that for you.”

  Dylan turned from her mom and walked up to the window and stared out. She was lying to herself if she thought Kat had only ever been her friend. It had always been more. She braced her hands on the windowsill, taking a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart. How had Kat wiggled herself into her heart so soon? Without her even noticing? “It all feels like a dream and I’m afraid it’s going to turn into a nightmare.”

  “I loved your father for a long time. Did I go into the relationship expecting to get divorced? Of course not, and you shouldn’t go into this looking for it to fail. What kind of start is that?”

  “But you did get divorced.”

  “Your father and I had our issues. You know this, but if given the chance, I would do it all the same again. It was worth it.”

  “Getting hurt was worth it?”

  “It wasn’t all hurting, Dylan. We had fun together, and we had you, but we grew apart. Some couples do. I’m not going to lie and say you and Kat will be forever, but dooming this relationship before it even gets started is going to kill it faster than anything else you could do.” Iris cupped Dylan’s cheeks. “You deserve this. Please allow yourself to love her. You’ve been holding back with her and you still fell in love and you feel like this. Just imagine if you would open yourself up to her and looked at this as if it was a dream and not a nightmare. You’d be floating on air.”

  Iris was right, but most of the time she was. Dylan reached for and grasped her Mom’s hand when she saw Kat’s car pull into the driveway.

  “Would you look at that,” Iris said. “I didn’t even know she owned a car. I’ve only ever seen her in the truck. Looks like she’s pulling out all the stops for you.”

  Dylan held back a snicker and felt her heart grow a little lighter when Kat stepped out of the car and looked to be giving herself a pep talk, if the waving of her hands was any indication.

  “She cleans up nicely too,” Iris said, then kissed Dylan on the cheek and walked out of the room.

  Kat wore a pair of dark blue ankle length trousers, with a gray button-down with the first few buttons undone, and a pale blue sweater was tied loosely around her neck. She wore a pair of white boat shoes. Dylan’s heart jumped when Kat reached into the car and pulled out a bouquet of flowers. Roses. Red. There was no way Kat didn’t know the meaning of them, true love, and even though she hadn’t verbally said the words they both knew what kind of statement Kat was making. It made everything fall into place, seeing the nervousness on Kat’s features. At least they were in the same boat.

  Thank God, Kat wouldn’t be able to see her from her vantage point. She didn’t want to look like a creeper. At the knock on the door, she turned her head and watched Emma walk into the room.

  “Wow, Mom, you look nice,” Emma said.

  “You think so?” Dylan turned in a circle, showing off her dress.

  “I like your dress.”

  With one final look in the mirror, Dylan took a deep b
reath and followed Emma, only for her to stop her at the bedroom door. “Emma?”

  “I like her. Grams and I want you to be happy. It’s okay to be happy. Dad wouldn’t be mad.”

  Dylan bit back a sob and swept Emma into a hug. “He wouldn’t, would he?”

  “Nope. Unless everything you’ve told me about him has been a lie.”

  “Never.” She kissed the top of Emma’s head, then walked back to the mirror to check her make-up.

  “Don’t keep her waiting,” Emma said, then left.

  Why did this night feel so different?

  Her feet took her down the hallway of their own accord and when she stepped into the living room, Kat and Iris stopped talking and turned to her.

  “Wow. You look amazing,” Kat said with a huge grin, her eyes bright.

  Dylan reached for the flowers, which Kat handed over.

  “These are for you.”

  “I would hope so, and you hadn’t decided to woo my mother instead.” The flush to Kat’s cheeks was always a welcome sight.

  “Never,” was Kat’s answer.

  “They’re beautiful. Let me put them in some water then we can go.”

  “Sure thing.” Kat put her hands in her pockets and rocked back on her heels.

  Dylan reached forward with her free hand and smoothed the collar of Kat’s shirt. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’m not going anywhere without you.”

  After filling a vase with water and putting the flowers in it, Dylan said goodnight to Emma and Iris, then followed Kat out to the car. She was charmed when Kat opened the passenger door for her. As soon as Kat was seated and turned to her, Dylan leaned forward and connected their lips. Not wanting to get carried away, she drew back after a few seconds.

  “You look beautiful as well,” Dylan said.

  Kat opened her eyes and touched her lips. “Thank you.” Kat’s cheeks pinked, and her smile looked a bit shy. “Are you ready for tonight?”

  “Woo me, Kat.”

  Kat’s laugh as they pulled out of the driveway warmed her heart. Nothing was guaranteed, she knew that to be a fact, and the last thing she wanted to do was jinx this as it was just getting started. She placed her hand on Kat’s leg and the smile she got in return was worth everything.