Page 108 of 10 Blind Dates
And every Friday is date night.
We’re both happy with this arrangement since we don’t live in the same town. But we’re both talking about how things will be when we’re at LSU, living in dorms that are right next to each other.
And I can’t wait. I bound up the front steps and yell hello when I open the door. It’s chaos as usual, with kids riding scooters and skateboards down the hall. I can smell something delicious coming from the kitchen.
Nonna has on herOf course you have room for dessertapron that Aunt Kelsey had specially made for her.
“Hey! How was school this week?” Nonna asks.
I give her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “Senioritis has kicked in. I just don’t see the point anymore.”
“You’re almost done! Finish strong,” she says. I walk to the board to see what’s waiting for me. I smile when I read the words in Wes’s handwriting.
There’s a big arrow pointing down to a blanket and several of those movie theater–size snacks.
“Oh! Fun! I wonder what’s playing?” I ask.
“Well, you’ll have to wait and see, I guess.”
At first I dreaded what was on this board, and now it’s something I look forward to. Wes isn’t the only one who puts our plans there. Sometimes it’s Olivia, sometimes Charlie, and sometimes I call ahead and have Nonna write something there for me.
But there is always something on the board on Friday night, and unless someone is out of town, like I will be next weekend, we’re all together for whatever is written there.
But before the date, it’s always Family Dinner.
And just like clockwork, everyone starts filing through the back door.
Olivia and I set the table while Charlie chases down Aunt Kelsey’s daughters, trying to get them in their high chairs. Nonna has enough food for an army, and Uncle Ronnie side-eyes the plate of cannoli like they’re plotting against him.
It’s chaotic and wonderful and I love every minute of it.
“Hey,” Wes says from behind me.
I spin around, then we’re closing the distance between us. It’s a pretty PG greeting, since my entire family is in the room, but he still manages to squeeze me tight and press a few kisses along the side of my neck.
“You’re early,” I say.
“I couldn’t wait,” he answers.
Yeah, we waited a long time to get here. But, as I lean in to press my lips against his once more, I decide it was totally worth it.
