"Where is he taking you?" Rory inquired with great interest.

"He isn't taking me anywhere," Maddie shrugged. "I'm going to his place and he's going to cook us dinner. I think we're planning on watching a movie after that.

Rory sighed dreamily. "How romantic."

"Shut up," Maddie chuckled.

"Come on," Rory laughed. "I have no love life. I'm forced to live vicariously through you."

"Or," Maddie smirked, "you could just go and get yourself a boyfriend."

Rory scoffed. "Who would even want to be my boyfriend? The janitor who works at the theater?"

"I don't know," Maddie shrugged. "Maybe James Lombardi."

"For the last time, I'm not going to date Jamie. It wouldn't work out," Rory sighed.

"Rory," Maddie said softly, "I know I've said this a thousand times, but I'm going to say it again. Just talk to him."

"Mhm," Rory hummed. "You better get going. You don't want to keep Danny waiting."

Maddie nodded and grabbed her keys. "I'm off. I'll see you later."

"Bye," Rory sighed.

—————

"Danny, your house is beautiful," Maddie smiled.

Danny shrugged. "It's modest, but comfortable."

"What's for dinner? I'm starving."

"Steak and scalloped potatoes. I'm making a skillet cookie for dessert with homemade French vanilla ice cream," Danny smiled.

"Sounds heavenly," Maddie grinned. "Are we still planning to watch a movie after we eat?"

Danny nodded as he took the scalloped potatoes out of the oven. "I was thinking we could watch Pride and Prejudice. You like that movie, right?"

"I love it," Maddie smiled. "Have you read the book? It's way better."

"I think I have it somewhere," Danny replied after a moment of thought. "I just haven't gotten around to reading it yet."

Maddie's eyes widened. "You have to read it! It's my favorite!"

"What is it with girls and romance novels?" Danny chuckled.

"I don't know," Maddie shrugged.

The two conversed and laughed over this topic for quite a while as Danny finished dinner. Maddie helped him to set the table, and the pair sat down to eat.

"Danny, this is delicious," Maddie smiled, taking a bite of the steak he had prepared. "It's cooked to perfection. It's not pink at all, but it's not tough either."

"I remembered you mentioning that on our first date," he grinned.

Maddie nodded. "The pink freaks me out," she replied with a small laugh.

Danny chuckled with her.

After they finished their meal, the couple sat down on the couch. Danny put on the movie and leaned back into the cushions. He hesitantly reached out his arm and wrapped it around Maddie's shoulders.

Maddie smiled and inched closer, resting her head on Danny's shoulder. "Is this okay?" Maddie stammered. "I mean, I'm not hurting you, am I?"

"No, not at all," Danny smiled. He began to worry that maybe it was the other way around. "Why? Are you not comfortable?"

"I'm very comfortable," Maddie nodded.

After the movie ended, our slightly awkward couple had a talk.

"Maddie," Danny stammered, "I really like you."

"I like you too," she replied.

"I'm glad," Danny laughed nervously. "It's just...would you want to be my girlfriend? Like, officially?"

"Your girlfriend?" Maddie stammered, taken aback by the sudden question. "Y-yes. Of course I would."

"Really?" Danny said with surprise. "You do know what you're agreeing to, right?"

"Yeah," Maddie laughed. "Do you?"

"Yeah," Danny chuckled, realizing how stupid his last question must have sounded. "So...we're officially a couple then?"

"It would appear that way," Maddie nodded. "Well, this has been a wonderful night, but I should get home to Rory. She'll be waiting up for me."

Danny nodded and walked her to the door. As she turned to leave, he said suddenly, "Maddie?"

"Yeah?"

Slowly and hesitantly, Danny wrapped an arm around Maddie's waist. Cupping a hand to her cheek, he gently pressed his lips into hers.

Maddie felt tense at first, but quickly melted into his touch, treasuring the feeling of him being so close.

Danny pulled away slowly. Softly, he said, "Have a good night."

"Goodnight," Maddie smiled. She made her way quickly to her car and sat in the driver's seat, feeling quite dumbfounded. "I was just kissed by Daniel Smith," was the only thought that ran through her mind.