Page 29 of Not Dating Material

He smirks. “You’re only just checking me out now?”

“Oh no, I had that part covered as soon as I opened my door, but this. How did you do this without me seeing?”

Seven shrugs, hands in his pockets as he puts distance between us. “You’re remarkably unobservant.”

“Never been happier to be insulted.”

“Not an insult. Just a fact. You look like your head’s in the clouds most of the time.”

“Noted.” I nod, suddenly serious, trying to take the feedback on board. So far, this has been great. Mostly. I’m taking things in, but now the challenge will be whether I can put it into practice on my next date.

Though that date will be hard-pressed to beat how pretty this is.

Our backyard is sort of overgrown with huge trees and shrubbery, but my favorite of all of them is the reddish Japanese maple. It has a perfect reading spot underneath that the leaves curl around, and right now, it’s completely surrounded by twinkle lights.

Seven bows and pulls the hanging string of lights to the side. “After you.”

I duck down and crawl under, my chest immediately filling with an awwww.

So I let it out.

“Seven …” I turn puppy eyes up at him as he drops onto the blanket beside me. There are cushions everywhere, and from inside the tree, it’s like being surrounded by the night sky. Or inside a sparkly, leafy cave. Oh! Or a fairy grotto.

“What happened to playing it cool?” he asks.

“How am I supposed to play it cool when this is the single most romantic thing I’ve ever seen?”

He chuckles, deep and rich. “You’re a cheap date.”

“Apparently. Who needs a restaurant when you can throw me in the dark with some sparkly lights?”

“You’re like a bird. They like shiny things too.”

I stretch out on my side along the cushions. There’s the faintest scent of wet earth, something floral, and then a whole lot of whatever it is Seven’s wearing. He smells like a warm hug. “Now you have me here, are we just enjoying nature, or did you have an actual plan?”

“Wow. Suddenly, he’s hard to please.”

I gasp and whack his arm. “I just have more faith in you than that.”

“Faith is what we’re calling it, huh?” But he’s smiling as he reaches for two shopping bags.

“What are in those?”

“And now we can add impatient to the list,” he mutters.

“I’m going to go home with a complex tonight, aren’t I?”

He glances over, sweet eyes assessing me, and without him needing to say anything, I know what he’s looking for.

“I’m joking.”

“Good. Because I don’t want you feeling down about yourself. For what it’s worth, the enthusiasm is kinda adorable, but I’m not the one trying to date you. We’re looking to cover all bases here.”

“Right. Yes.” But I can’t help craning my neck to try and get a glimpse in the bag.

Seven shoves a massive hand at my face, knocking me onto my back. “For that, I almost don’t want to show you.”

“If you have food and alcohol in there, I can’t promise not to fall in love with you.”

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