The pop and crunch of snow under the tires was loud in the cab as Bay reversed and turned around to make his way down the driveway. The small town’s lights were visible as they rounded the last curve of the driveway and the trees parted.
“We seriously could have walked,” Travis said, feeling ridiculous when Bay parked them less than a mile later.
“Nah, it’s okay. Everyone drives when it’s this cold.”
And yet all Travis saw around them were couples walking and holding hands.
“Wow, there really isn’t anything to do around here but walk, is there?”
“Told you,” Bay replied and threw the door open. Travis followed his lead and jumped from the cab, the crunch of snow loud under his boots, and somehow comforting.
However, the cold was anything but, and he shivered even in his tee, sweater, and thermal jacket as he made his way around to the sidewalk.
“Yeah, it takes a bit to get used to,” Bailey told him, and bumped their shoulders together. “The restaurant is only a block ahead.”
Travis rubbed his hands together for warmth before dropping them by his side. The sidewalk was shoveled and for the most part free of snow, but he was still cautious of slippery spots. His hand brushed Bailey’s as they walked side by side, and he grinned at the butterflies that took flight in his stomach. He felt like a teenager, and when their hands brushed again, he considered just—
His hand was enveloped in warmth, and he grinned to himself. Their fingers twined together as they walked, and he felt his cheeks heat at the simple satisfaction that filled him.
When he glanced to Bailey, he had a matching smile curling those full lips of his, and Travis had half a mind to lean right over and—
“Do it,” Bailey murmured, and pulled them to a stop.
Travis blinked slowly. “Do what?”
“Whatever just went through your mind. Do it. Live in the moment.”
If Travis’s cheeks turned any more red, he might have to consider using them as hand warmers. Taking Bailey’s words to heart, he leaned forward and brushed his lips over Bailey’s before slotting them together and turning a simple kiss into something longer, something more.
“Live in the moment,” he agreed as he pulled back. “I’ll have to do that more often.”
The soft smile Bailey sent him made him feel so light he was glad his hand was still encased in Bailey’s, because he could have sworn he could float away in that moment.
“Please do,” Bailey said. “We’re here.”
“Oh,” Travis responded, and glanced above them to the sign casting a soft blue glow over them. “The Restaurant. Really?”
“Yeah, I know right? It’s been owned by the same family probably… since the beginning of time. They have the best pizza you’ve ever eaten in your life.”
If it was anything like the food at the bar, Travis believed it. “I’m starting to love that everything is locally-owned.”
“Yeah, you won’t find a chain restaurant around here.” Bay opened the door and a gust of heat from the interior rushed over them at once, and Travis quickly stepped inside first to chase off the cold.
A young woman, around Bailey’s age most likely, beamed from the hostess stand. “Hello! Welcome to The Restaurant. How many?”
They were seated within seconds, the booths sectioned to surround the room, but the hostess took them all the way to the back, where no other guests were seated.
“I love this town,” Travis gushed when she left them alone with menus. “How’d she know to seat us back here?”
“The whole town knows you’re here, and Dean really did tell everyone to leave you at peace. Too bad I didn’t listen,” he teased with a soft smile.
Travis grinned at that. “I’m glad you didn’t.”
Bailey’s answering blush made him grin as he held his gaze, which seemed so dark in the dim light above them. Travis had never done anything like what they were doing, at least not for real. More times than he could count, he’d been forced to go to an event with a woman on his arm or go out to an exclusive restaurant, but only to make sure the paparazzi caught them. Most of them had been close friends, but none of them had been romantic interests. None of it had been real or genuine, and suddenly Travis didn’t know what the hell to do.
How did things like this go? How did one act on a date?
“Hey,” Bailey said softly, and leaned across the table to rap his knuckles on the shining wood. “I can practically see the gears turning in your head. What are you thinking about?”
Travis gulped, but before he could answer, a waitress appeared at their side with a bright smile, a rehearsed but genuine script, and two waters. She took their drink orders before disappearing again, and Travis almost wished she’d stayed longer so he could collect his thoughts before answering Bay.
“What is it?” he pressed, and the worry marring his features was almost too much.
“I’ve never done… this,” he admitted.
“Done what?”
Hands clasped, he rubbed the heels of his palms together, fidgeting under the intense gaze of his… date.
“This. Going on a date. Dinner, walking around casually, holding hands.”
Bailey leaned back and braced one hand on the table, amazement dancing across his features.
“Travis Cherry has never been on a date.” He brushed his thumb over his cheek as he turned his head to the side, much in the same manner as the first night they’d met. And yes, he looked just as fucking delicious then as he had the first time. Damn him.
“Laugh it up.” Travis rolled his eyes.
“No, no. No laughing. It’s just… cute,” Bailey told him with a shrug.
“Cute?” Travis blurted.
Instead of answering his outrage, Bailey continued in that same smug low tone of voice that made Travis’s chest bloom with heat. “Not in college or anything?” Bailey inquired.
Shaking his head, Travis explained, “No, I didn’t go to college. I worked through most of high school to save money and moved to L.A. as soon as I could, and then when I got there, I was so focused on music I didn’t worry about dating. Plus, I wasn’t out so it’s not like I had a lot of options.”
“Alright, fair,” he conceded and then paused. With a glance back up, mirth dancing in his eyes, he said, “It’s still cute.”
Sensing the humor behind the exchange, Travis couldn’t help the smile that pulled his lips up. “Yeah, it’s weird, I know.”
“Did I say it was weird?” Bailey asked, leaning forward. He extended his hand and Travis rolled his palm over instinctively so he could hold it. “It’s endearing. I like the idea of being your first date. But don’t get in your head about it. What I said outside? About living in the moment? Just do that. Don’t overthink it. If you feel like holding my hand, or kissing me, or tugging me around the corner to blow me, don’t hesitate.”
Travis choked on a laugh at the last bit, and glanced at the nearby tables to make sure no one had overheard. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“I know, I’m hilarious,” he teased. But then the smile dropped from his lips and he turned serious. “But in all seriousness, I know this isn’t permanent. Just all the more reason to live in the moment, right here, and not think of the future. Whatever this is, it’s us.”