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27
BUG (TOLRUN)
My heart hammered as I led Lily through the gardens to where I’d set up our picnic. Would she like what I’d done? I was still breathless at the sight of her in her emerald green dress. It suited her perfectly, showing off her slim waist and soft curves, ending just above her knee.
I’d gone for something casual but elegant—a pair of dark jeans and a navy button up tee.
“This is beautiful,” Lily breathed as she spied the picnic blanket set up under an old oak by the angel water fountain.
She had her arm hooked through mine, and the feel of her by my side had me utterly content yet slightly nervous.
I helped her down onto the blanket before joining her.
“I haven’t explored the gardens much, I didn’t even know this fountain was here,” she stated.
It was near the back of the gardens, hidden by hedges that wove through the area.
“Your horns,” Lily murmured as she turned to me, her emerald eyes matching her dress.
I inwardly groaned as I focused on my head, now sensing my horns had protruded. I tried to force them to withdraw, but they only shifted a little before returning.
“Don’t worry, I like them.” Lily smiled at me.
I softened at her sweet, sincere expression. She really did accept me for all of me.
I nodded and somehow pushed the worries of my horns from my mind as I reached for the covered platter of food.
“Since we will still have dinner tonight, I decided to not go overboard with it. We’ve got some danishes to start with,” I said as I pulled the lid off and offered her the tray.
Her face lit up as she grabbed an apricot one, and I helped myself to a blueberry one.
I shuffled closer to Lily, loving her presence beside me.
I tried to make conversation, asking about her essays in History class and how her studies were going. We spoke for a short while about our classes, and how she was going with learning the flute while we finished off the other danishes.
“I was going to bring a wine, but I wasn’t sure if you’d like it, so I went with what I know you like,” I said, giving her a sheepish smile as I reached for the glasses I’d placed carefully near the picnic blanket and the thermos.
“Not to mention it’s not exactly legal here,” she chuckled.
“True, but in your home country it is,” I stated. “Hope this suits.”
She giggled as she accepted the glass of chocolate milk instead and took a decent sip of it before carefully finding a spot to sit it down.
I reached for the next tray, revealing a tandoori chicken meal with coconut rice. I knew Thai was a favorite of hers, so I’d asked Chumley to help me make something of the sort. He’d simply done it all himself, and it smelled amazing.
“That looks good,” Lily remarked as I offered her the already pre-made bowl and a fork.
I picked up mine, noting the layering of seasoning on top.
Chumley had outdone himself with this one. If she asked, I wouldn’t claim the credit for it.
I took a hefty mouthful, the flavors exploding in my mouth, and I loved it.
At least, I did until my mouth started to burn.
I choked a little and sputtered as Lily started doing the same. She quickly swallowed and reached for her chocolate milk, and I followed suit.
“I… I think you made it… too spicy,” she rasped through mouthfuls of milk.
