Page 27 of Pocket Full Of Posies

“I am?”

The proclamation is said with such simple frankness, I can barely comprehend the words. Two simple words that when put together have such great meaning.You’re mine. How have we made it to this point in only a few days of knowing each other? Is it always like this with others? Am I just not experienced enough with relationships to know the normal process?

“Of course, you are, Daisy. I never expected to find you when I went walking through the forest, but I’m thankful that I did.”

I may not be able to hear every minute emotion, but even I can tell he’s surprised by his own words and how true they are.

We stand there in the parking lot, pressed close together and breathing in each other’s air and scents, only getting more aroused with every passing second. Half an hour ago I was excited to be going on a dinner date with Kai. Now I wish I had said no and kept him at home in my greenhouse.

Kai presses a chaste kiss on my lips, not lingering long enough to get pulled in by the overwhelming yearning I know we’re both experiencing.

“Come on, let’s get you fed.”

“Uh huh,” I nod wordlessly, trying to calm my racing heart.

By the time we make it to the front door I’ve managed to force myself into a semblance of calm and collected. At least as much as possible with my social anxiety. An anxiety which doesn’t seem so overbearing when standing next to Kai and held in his strong embrace.

We’re greeted by a young girl working as the hostess tonight and sat in a booth. Kai gestures for me to sit first and then slides in next to me, resting an arm on the vinyl cushion behind us. Instantly my body loosens and I’m able to ease into a comfortable position. It’s as if Kai knew I needed him close to ease my nerves. Secure between him and the wall, I feel safe and protected.

Since it’s been an indeterminate amount of time since I last ate at Dottie’s, I pluck up a menu and start reading it over.

“Oh, my goodness. Daisy?” The astonished and delighted voice of Becca, a fairy who works as a waitress at the diner, draws mine and Kai’s attention away from the menu. “I haven’t seen you in here in ages, and with Kai Kingsley to boot. The two of you are a sight for sore eyes. I thought Donna was pulling my leg when she told me about you two. I’m glad she wasn’t. You look perfect together. Why didn’t I think to pair you up before?”

Becca rambles on in her good natured and animated way, her pink wings fluttering behind her to match her gesticulating hands. From what I hear from Sage and Tobias, Becca is a bit of a matchmaker, or at least attempts to be. Reports are she has yet to be successful in her pairings. One more well-known mismatch being when she tried to hook up Hunter, our mayor, with his own cousin. I cringe considering who she would have paired me with, given the chance.

“Good evening to you too, Becca. What’s good on the menu tonight?”

Becca lists off the evening’s specials, some fancy cut of steak being the most expensive and attracting Kai’s interest.

“Perfect. We’ll have two of those, medium, with grilled mushrooms and loaded baked potato.”

Becca stops midway through writing the order on her notepad and stares down at Kai. I do the same, giving Kai an apologetic smile. He notices both of us and looks back and forth before settling on me.

“What? You don’t like steak? They have fried chicken or spaghetti if you’d like.”

I stall, trying to figure out the most polite way to tell him I don’t eat meat, without making him feel humiliated in front of Becca. In my delayed response and fumbling, Becca blurts it out for me.

“Daisy is a vegetarian. She doesn’t eat meat at all. Shouldn’t you know that if you’re dating?”

I want to correct her that we’re not dating, but I also don’t mind her thinking we’re dating, because I want to date him. I’ve never dated before and I think I’d enjoy it with Kai.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Daisy. I didn’t mean to assume.”

“It’s okay, we haven’t really talked about it, so how would you know?”

“We have a delicious stuffed pasta shell and red sauce with fresh parmesan if you’re in the mood for Italian,” Becca offers, easily smoothing over any discomfort.

“That sounds great. Thank you.”

Before Becca can roll away on her skates, which look like a ton of fun, Kai stops her with a lifted hand.

“Wait. I’ll have the same thing as well.”

“You don’t have to change your meal just because of me. I don’t mind if other people eat meat.”

“No, it’s okay. Stuffed shells sound appetizing.” Kai gives me a reassuring smile and the hand resting around my shoulders squeezes gently.

“Alrighty. Two stuffed shells coming right up. Anything to drink?” Becca asks.

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