Angel of Light (A Zak Bagans Story)

Chapter 98: Cooking

Chapter 98: Cooking

Four days later...

Zak and I were going to have our second date, although, we decided to stick with the "non-public" theme. I had realized that in all the time we've known each other, I had never cooked for him. So, I decided I'd cook us dinner at my place – since Cheryl and Aaron were out on a date of their own. Zak and I had also decided to just keep things casual instead of dressing up, so we would be more comfortable.

After having gotten a shower and blown dry and straightened my hair, I got dressed. I had decided on a blue, short sleeved, v-neck t-shirt - which had a vintage, burned dye affect, basically making it slightly see through. I had paired that with a pair of black yoga pants that flared out a bit at the bottom. I had my hair up in a ponytail, and minimal makeup.

It was so comforting to know that Zak didn't care if I got all dolled up. And despite the fact that it had only been four days since Zak and I had officially started dating, I couldn't remember a time when I was happier, or when I had felt comfortable in my own skin. Even though Zak could still easily embarrass me, he made me feel confident about myself, and he made me feel beautiful no matter what I was wearing.

After I had gotten ready, I jogged downstairs and began preparing the meal I had chosen to make – barbecue steaks, roasted potatoes, and an assortment of roasted vegetables. I knew Zak was a "meat and potatoes" kind of guy, and I knew there wouldn't be too much work involved, but I was still terrified – I didn't have Cheryl here to help me if things started to go wrong.

I normally only cooked for myself, or sometimes for Cheryl and I on rare occasions - like if she was late coming home from work. She never complained about anything I cooked, but for all I knew, she was just being nice.

Nevertheless, I checked the steaks I had sitting in marinade, and then I began washing and cutting up the potatoes and vegetables, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.

Ugh...relax Ali...

~*~*~*~*~

Roughly thirty minutes later...

Okay...potatoes have been in the oven for thirty minutes, time for the steaks...I thought.

I took the plate with the two steaks out to the barbecue on the back patio - which I had already fired up earlier to kill some time – and carefully used a pair of tongs to set the steaks on the grill. After a few minutes, I flipped the steaks over onto their other sides and then closed the lid on the grill.

I walked back inside and checked the clock hanging on the wall, and saw it was time to put the vegetables in the oven. I slipped on a pair of oven mitts, and carefully put the second roasting pan into the oven next to the first roasting pan. I gave the potatoes a stir before standing up, closing the oven door. I slipped off the oven mitts, and took a deep breath.

God...I hope I'm doing this right...

~*~*~*~*~

Once I had everything going, I set up two place settings on the island counter – place mats, forks and knives, napkins, glasses, and two plates. I then got some condiments from a cupboard – salt, pepper, and steak sauce – and set them on a small mat placed in the middle.

Okay...what else...I thought, glancing around the kitchen. But then, suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Oh god, he's here! I thought, panicking slightly.

I quickly checked on the food to make sure it was okay, and then quickly made my way over to the front door – stopping on the way to check myself out in a mirror. Once I was pleased with my appearance, I walked over to the door and opened it to see Zak.