Moderately attractive Pt. 2

It seemed like an eternity before Gideon got a response to his date request from Avery. He was glad she called, but he was also aggravated that she led him on for so long. It seemed so arrogant to him. But there was something about her he couldn't quite put his finger on, and he liked that, so he buried his resentment. He got a haircut, he got new clothes, and he was ready.

Things went really well, as far as first dates go. They walked down to the boardwalk and tried a tropical food buffet that neither of them had been to before. The food was good but weird. Gideon accidentally put his hand on hers for a moment, and pulled it away quickly, embarrassed.

They continued their walk away from the beach and up toward the mountains. They talked so well together, they really seemed to click. They hadn't even realized how far they had walked until they came up to Florala Lake.

"Oh, sheesh," Avery said. "We're almost at my mom's farm."

"Really? I'm up here all the time. It's one of my favorite reading spots. Who is your mom?"

"Kelsey White." Avery pointed toward the direction of their home. "White Farm is just down that road."

"You're kidding."

"No, why?"

"I love your mom! And Andy, too! They always invite me in for dinner when we bump into each other at the lake."

This astonished Avery. Not that someone would know or like her mother, but that her mother knew an attractive single guy and hadn't tried to hook them up!

They sat down by the lake and talked even more. Gideon rested on his back, and Avery scooted in for a cuddle.

When it started getting dark, they headed back to Avery's place. When they reached her door, Gideon suddenly got tense.

"Why did you blow me off for so long?" he blurted out. Avery just bit her lip and looked down. "Was there someone else?"

"Sort of, but not exactly. He's a musician, and he's great, but it just became pretty obvious it wasn't going to work out."

"Oh," Gideon said, voice thick with bitterness. "A musician, huh?"

"Trust me, it's not all it's cracked up to be. The traveling, the hours. I don't think I can handle it."

"Well," Gideon said flirtatiously. "I make my own hours."

"Me too," joked Avery, and she kissed him.

It took her long enough, but Avery finally came around. She has always had a romanticized idea of what her life and romance should be like, and she's finally coming around to reality. Lucky for her Gideon is endlessly forgiving!