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“For what?”
“Mmm. It’s a surprise.” After I put my phone away, I asked, “Where do you want to go to dinner before the dance?”
She planted her feet on the ground to stop her momentum. “We’re going to dinner?”
“A man should always take you to dinner before a dance,” I said seriously.
“And I can pick anywhere I want to go?” Her eyes were wide.
My heart skipped a beat. Had I gone too far? “Uh-huh.”
“So, I could say pizza or burgers?” she asked slowly.
“You’re my date, and I’ll take you wherever makes you happy.”
Her eyes lit up and then dimmed. “What if I said I prefer salmon?”
My eyes widened at that. “I’d be impressed with your taste.”
“Then I’d like to get salmon and watch Irish dancers.”
I’d already thought of a fancier restaurant that served amazing salmon, but she’d thrown me with the Irish dancer request. “Are you serious about the dancers?”
“They were at an assembly last year at school. They were fun to watch. It’s okay if you don’t want to.”
I held up a hand. “Let me do some research and see what I can figure out. If I can’t find something in town, we can find something for our next outing.”
“What are you two up to?” Natalie asked as she came outside.
“We’re just settling our plans for the big dance. Delaney requested salmon and Irish dancers,” I said.
Natalie frowned. “Delaney—”
“It’s fine. I asked her what she wanted to do. I like to plan the perfect evening for my dates.”
Natalie’s eyes sparked with interest. Was she thinking about what it would be like if I took her on a date? I’d always gone overboard in the past, and women had said it was too much. But with a nine-year-old, I was confidenttoo muchwas just right.
“I’m a little jealous about your night out,” Natalie teased Delaney.
“You need to go out too, Mom,” Delaney said, her words tugging at my heartstrings.
Natalie smiled. “That would be nice.”
I wondered if she was thinking about how long it had been since a man had taken her out, brought her flowers, or bothered to find out her preferences.
“I’m sure you two have things to do. I’ll go clean up and get out of your hair.” The crew had already cleared out for the day.
“Why don’t you join us for dinner?” Delaney asked. “If you’re going to be my date to the dance, we should probably get to know each other better.”
Natalie laughed. “She has a point.”
I looked toward the house, uncertain how I should play this. “I don’t expect you to cook for me.”
“Why don’t we go out to eat?” Delaney asked, excitement filling her voice.
“We haven’t eaten out since we moved here,” Natalie said.
“Then it’s a date. I’ll run home and shower, and we’ll get out of here. If that’s okay with you?” I asked Natalie.
