9 Dates

Zephyr

Opening the door for her and getting into the driver's side, I handed her my phone already opened into the notes app.

"These are all the things that we need to get"

"Hm okay"

Taking her hand in mine again, I began to drive to the grocery store. Once we got there, I again opened the door for her and we walked inside. I grabbed a basket and saw her grab one too.

She turned to me with a big smile on her face.

"What?" I asked chuckling

"I have an idea"

I raised an eyebrow at her, encouraging her to continue

"Let's have a race. I'll take half the things and you'll take the other half. Whoever gets to the register first gets to pay"

I accepted the challenge knowing that even if she won I still wasn't going to let her pay.

"Okay, so which half will you be taking?" I asked her

"How about the last 5?" she cheekily smiled at me

I knew that the last five were the easiest to get and that she would probably end up winning.

"Okay deal" we shook on it and lined up at the entrance.

"Ready, set, go"

We both took off in opposite directions in the store.

First I went to the deli to order two sandwiches, so by the time I finished finding the rest of the items the sandwiches would be ready. I then headed to the refrigerating section and grabbed a bottle of minute maid pink lemonade. Heading to the candy isle I grabbed a bag of mini snickers, 3 bags of skittles, 3 bags of m&m's, a bag of mini mixed Hersheys, and grabbed a pack of gum (just in case). Realizing that I was on my last items I quickly walked to the fruit section and grabbed 2 cartons of strawberries and a pack of oranges. Going back to the deli I picked up the sandwiches and walked to the cash register. Esmay was standing there with her items waiting for me to get there.

I laughed at her excitement and finally reached her.

"I won" she happily exclaimed

"Yes you did" "And for your reward, you get to carry one of the bags back to the car. "

"No, I get to pay for the items"

Going back and forth with her for a few minutes, I finally explained to her the reason why I didn't want her to pay.

"I asked you on this date and I don't feel comfortable making you pay for it even if you want to pay for yourself. I promise you can pay the next time"

She agreed and I paid for the items also getting to take a look at the things she picked out.

Paying for the items we walked back to the car and as promised, I let her hold one of the bags. Getting into the car, we put the stuff in the back seat and I began to drive to a nearby park.

Once we got there we went to the backseat and started organizing the things we got inside the basket. Everytime she would see one of the items I picked she would let out this adorable gasp. We walked to the perfect spot (her words), she set down the blanket and I put the picnic basket in the middle and we sat down.

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A few hours later we were laying on our backs cloud watching while she played with my fingers.

"Thank you" I heard her whisper

"For what?"

"Just for everything"