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“Good thing Kent isn’t around anymore, huh? Maddy, take me in that mall, and let’s get you the perfect outfit for tonight!”
Through FaceTime, Ophelia helped me pick a simple lavender dress. It had a flowy skirt I loved, a white belt around the middle, and the fabric unadorned. To go along with it, Ophelia picked a jean jacket, seeing as Portland does get chiller at night. I found it perfect.
Milo finally texted a few details:Dress casually, nothing too fancy, and prepare to be out all day. Be comfortable! I’ll pick you up at eleven a.m.!
Eleven? What kind of date started at eleven a.m.!?
Which was honestly better. Left me no time to fester and think about what was going to happen. But what did I do? Sit and think about my date and only my date. Did I sleep? Oh, hell no…Sleep was not an option for me. Instead, I read, jumping back into a Kerry Winfrey novel, enjoying her fun romantic style of writing, one that made me hopeful for a similar romance in my own life.
It had been a long time since my first date with Kent. I borrowed a dress from Jamie, and he took me to one of the fanciest restaurants in town, the night ending with us making out on my couch. I would borrow dress after dress for our dates until they became dinner and a movie—or simply staying in. I don't remember ever being nervous for one of my dates with Kent. Maybe possibly only the first one. After that, it was more routine. I hadn't been courted in a long time, and I was getting chills just thinking about what Milo had in mind.Prepare to be out all day.What did that mean?
At nine in the morning, I woke up from my less than four hours of sleep. I showered, rubbing my face trying to make it look like I slept more than I actually did. I curled my hair, the waves dropping over my shoulders and touching my bare skin. The purple dress fit perfectly, even better than in the store, and the jean jacket complimented it extremely well. Since I wore little make up anyway, I kept to being me. Wearing a light foundation and bronzer, mascara, and a tinted lip gloss.
I stepped back and looked at myself in the full-length mirror, deja vu from college flooding my bones. I smoothed the skirt out and pursed my lips, pushing them together in hopes of helping the tint shine a little bright. Turning, I grabbed the tube and stuck it in my bag. I could reapply…right? That was allowed on dates.
I looked at my watch and grabbed my bag. It was 10:57. Milo wasn’t known for being late—soon…it would be happening. Soon Milo may be more than just my best friend.
I closed my eyes, gave myself a small little pep talk, trying to ease the butterflies that flew viciously in my stomach. I said a small little prayer…and then the doorbell rang, allowing the butterflies to come back at full force.
Chapter Fourteen
-Milo-
Madeline opened the door, and my heart instantly melted into a puddle in my stomach. Her purple dress swayed in the wind from the door, and her hair moved slightly on her shoulders. She smiled, and the already bright day got brighter.
I mimicked her smile, reaching my hand out to hers. “Are you ready?”
She inhaled, holding her breath before reaching out to take my hand. “I’m so ready.”
We held hands as we made our way to my truck, a shock wave pulsing through my arm. I opened the passenger door for her and closed it when she was sitting and buckled. Even though she was wearing makeup, I could still see the blush on her cheeks. I jogged around the back of the truck, flinging my door open and jumping—literally jumping—into my truck.
“So…what are we doing for the entire day?” she asked, placing her hands on her knees, her small bag sitting next to her on the seat.
I wiggled my eyebrows and reached in the middle console, pulling out a blindfold. “For starters, I need you to put this on.”
Madeline’s smile faded, and she glared at me. “I’m wearing makeup.”
I laughed. “I can see that.”
“I never wear makeup.” She glared at the blindfold again.
“Okay, turn around. I won’t tie it too tight, but it has to be a surprise. So, blindfold.”
Madeline narrowed her eyes, and I swung the blindfold back and forth in the air. I don't know what part of me thought this was going to be a good idea, but for the first part of the date to work, she needed to be surprised.
“This is how I die, isn’t it?” Madeline asked, nothing but seriousness in her voice. “At least let me call and say goodbye to Ophelia. According to my will, she gets Niko…”
“Madeline, for one, I better get Niko when you die.” I gave her the largest, cheesiest grin I could muster and waved the blind fold in front of her again. “And two, I’m not going to kill you. I want to take you somewhere, and I don't want you to know where we’re going. So…please, turn around, and I’ll tie it loose enough that you won’t ruin your makeup.”
Madeline slumped. “Okay, fine. Just don't kill me.” She turned in her seat, facing the window, and I gently placed the blindfold over her eyes, tying it—as promised—loosely.
“Can you see?”
“No,” she grumbled.
“Perfect.” I turned the ignition and slowly left her driveway.
Madeline was silent, sitting up straight with her chin high in the air.
