Bonus Chapter
“Babe, not so much mayonnaise!” Kennedi said, peering around Dante’s shoulder and being met with hearty chuckles.
“I’m telling you, this is the perfect amount! Trust me, you’re going to love it,” he replied, confidently and vigorously stirring ingredients together in a large, yellow bowl.
Realizing that she was essentially fighting a losing battle, Kennedi cleverly directed her attention elsewhere by looking out over her kitchen counter and marveling at the array of delights. Between the crisp green grapes, sparkling Riesling, assortment of cheeses, and utensils they had just about everything they would need for their simple, romantic picnic. But, since Dante’ insisted on including his world famous tuna fish salad, Kennedi couldn’t help but oblige him.
“I’m going to go and get the picnic basket,” she announced, just as he was beginning to stir in the pickle relish.
“Sounds good. I’m almost done,” Dante replied, on the verge of dipping his mixing spoon in for a quick taste.
Kennedi immediately went to her pantry to retrieve the basket and felt a particular twinge of excitement as she reached down to pick it up from the floor. Between midterms, football practices, newspaper staff meetings, and class projects, she and Dante’ barely had a chance to see each other. In fact, in the last two weeks, they’d spent less than 3 hours together – and that was a stretch. Today was the first real date they would have in a long time and Kennedi was beyond thrilled.
In addition to being excited about seeing Dante, Kennedi was particularly ecstatic about the kind of day they’d planned to spend together. Not only was it was an exceptionally warm day, especially for the fall, but it was the first time – in a long time – that each of them had enough free time to truly enjoy it. Instead of trying to schedule alone time and wedge it between other obligations, today was one of few that they were free and clear to spend the full day any way they wanted to. As a testament to their connection, what they genuinely wanted to do was spend it with each other.
Kennedi sat the wicker basket on her kitchen countertop and, one-by-one, added each of their picnic items to it. In the corner of her eye, she could see Dante’ proudly slathering the freshly made tuna fish onto slices of bread, making two sandwiches, and cutting the crusts off before bagging them.
“Fresh off the press,” he said, carefully placing the sandwiches inside the basket’s gingham lining and elbowing Kennedi after they were snuggly nestled under the bottle of wine. “I’m telling you babe, these are going to be a hit!”
Kennedi giggled in response before adding, “I guess we’ll just have to see about that!”
Dante’ went over to the window, right over the kitchen sink, and pulled back its curtain. “This is the perfect day for a picnic!” he said, peering outside and catching a few sunrays across his face in turn.
“It really is!” Kennedy agreed, craning her neck to share Dante’s view. “I’m just so excited to be spending this time with you! We’ve both been so busy here lately.”
“I know, this was a great idea!” Dante said. “Especially since…”
“Since?” Kennedi asked, annoyed with the dramatic pause.
“Since you can finally try my world famous tuna fish,” he said to an unamused Kennedi who was quick to deliver a serious glare.
“Alrighty, let’s get this show on the road!” Kennedi said, grabbing her sunshades from off of the kitchen table and placing them on her forehead. “Ready to go?” she asked, as she walked over to the living room couch and tucked a blanket under her arm.
“Ready!” Dante confirmed. “I’ll get the basket,” he added, walking over to the counter and grabbing the tote full of goodies by its handle.
As they stepped outside of Kennedi’s apartment and made their way to the car, Kennedi took in a deep breath and flipped her sunshades over her eyes. “It really is beautiful out today,” she remarked, approaching the passenger’s side of the car and waiting for Dante’ to unlock it.
After hearing the locks disengage, Kennedi immediately loaded the blanket into the back seat and herself in the front. On the other side, Dante’ was doing the same thing but, in his case, with the picnic basket. As soon as the couple had themselves and all of their accoutrements set to go, Dante’ wasted no time getting them to the park. Once there, they set up under their favorite tree, and got busy making the most out of their time together.
“Lay back, babe!” Kelsey invited, “let me feed you grapes.”
Dante’ was happy to oblige her but had more of a taste for Kennedi than anything else. He leaned over and kissed her, passionately, interlocking his lips with hers. After a second kiss for good measure, he adjusted his body so that it was perpendicular to hers and slowly lowered his head until it rested safely across her thighs. Kennedi reached over to the basket and pulled out a small bunch of grapes. She carefully plucked one and instructed Dante’ to, “Open wide!”
As he closed his eyes, followed her directions, and brandished his pink tongue in the process, Kennedi slowly lowered a green, round grape into his mouth. Feeling the sensation of something cool and smooth on his tongue, he promptly brought his lips together, entrapping Kennedi’ fingers along the way, and causing her to giggle. As he chewed the succulent berry and enjoyed its mellow taste, Kennedi stroked his eyebrows and rubbed the top of his head.
“I missed you,” she whispered. “I missed this,” she revealed, stroking Dante’s cheek and seeing a look of pure bliss spread across his face. “Ready for the next one?” she asked, already reaching toward her small bouquet.
“You know I am,” he replied, preparing his mouth for another grape.
As the afternoon wore on, Kennedi and Dante’ enjoyed the rest of their picnic and more of each other. The moment of truth came when they got down to, what Kennedi described to herself as the “tuna fish challenge”. Though she originally thought she’d have to grin and bear it, Dante was right: his tuna fish was a hit! Kennedi happily ate her words along with her sandwich.