𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙁𝙊𝙐𝙍
—𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦—

𝘽𝙍𝙔𝘾𝙀 𝘿𝙍𝙊𝙋𝙋𝙀𝘿 𝙃𝙀𝙍 towel to the floor, exposing her undergarments and bare stomach to the girls that shuffled around the room. Evelyn placed Bryce's newly ironed dress on the bed, pulling at the hem as she smiles. Candice, Rose, and another nurse— Bailey— move over to see it, all of them pleased with Evelyn's choice of dress.

It was a pure silk fabric, shining in a bright emerald green. The dress was a tight fit at the top, which would cling to Bryce's curves, before flaring out at her waist and falling just before her knees. The chest was low cut— a wrap held together by three buttons that trailed down to her bellybutton.

"How did you manage to find it so quickly?" Bryce asks Evelyn, touching the fabric with her fingertips. "You did an amazing job, I love it."

"I packed it," Evelyn shrugs. "Rafe won't be around to see it for a while, so I have no use for it as of now. You'll look amazing, I just know it!"

"I have the perfect heels for this," Candice comments, a grin breaking across her face. "And you can wear my cherry red lipstick— everyone loves it."

Rose steps away from the others, digging through Bryce's jewelry box to find the perfect necklace and set of earrings for the occasion. Her outfit had to be perfect since it wasn't every day that Bryce Dylan went out. Of course she had her fair share of going out to see a movie with the girls, or catching a milkshake after work, but this was a date, and was so completely different than usual.

Candice disappears from the room just as Rose places some diamond-encrusted jewelry in Bryce's palm. The brunette overlooks it for a moment, before smiling in approval and putting in the earrings. Rose continues by stringing the necklace around her neck, and fastening the chain.

"I could do your hair," Bailey offers, holding up some hair spray and a few clips. "Do you prefer curly or straight?"

Before Bryce could reply, Candice returned with a pair of off-white wedges. Evelyn glances to the clock on Bryce's nightstand before ushering her away to start getting ready. With everything going on, the brunette was overwhelmed.

But instead of complaining, Bryce imagined how Danny would react when he saw her, and was instantly relaxed.

---

Bryce Dylan was seventeen years old the first time she had ever went to a school dance. She could remember the day so vividly; how her mother had insisted on wearing her hair up to show her face.

"You wear your hair down so often," her mother had said, pinning down a hair that had strayed from the bun on Bryce's head, "and it falls into your face. Putting it up accentuates your beauty and shows off your high cheekbones."

Bryce never understood how her mother saw things so clearly, nor could she bear to keep her hair up for two consecutive days without growing flustered. For some reason, she preferred to curl her hair, pin it away from her eyes, then go on with her day. And today would be no exception.

The brunette felt her palms grow sweaty as there was a knock on the door downstairs. By now, all of the nurses had gotten involved, and were waiting for the moment that Danny would arrive and sweep Bryce away.

It was no understatement to say that Bryce had looked absolutely stunning. Bailey had curled her hair, allowing it to fall lightly against her shoulders. Her earrings were easily seen, glittering with every slight movement. And the dress— it was a perfect fit. Against Bryce's tan skin, the green contrasted to make her look as though she were glowing. It flowed with the curves of her body and emphasized her chest and hourglass figure. Everything fit together nicely.

Candice, who was downstairs with all the other nurses, rushed to the door immediately. Bryce waited upstairs, however, following Evelyn's order to 'walk down the stairs and blow his mind'. Candice would retrieve her, all the while Bryce would have the opportunity to monitor his reaction.

"You're a minute early," Candice comments, tilting her head to the side, before holding her hand out. "I'm Candice, Bryce's friend."

Danny's hair was combed, and looked handsome to say the least. He wore a button-down black dress shirt and a pair of khakis, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to reveal his toned forearms. And, in his right hand, was a bouquet of blood-red roses, the stems bundled together in a burlap bow.

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," he gives her a polite smile, placing his free hand on hers and giving it a shake. "I'm Danny. Danny Walker."

"I know, Bryce has mentioned you," the blonde winks, chuckling as she turns around. "I'll go get her."

Danny was excited, and nervous— or somewhere in between. He bit his lip, shoving his hand into his pocket upon instinct, before watching as Candice disappears into a room upstairs. He could only imagine how she'd look, and grew happier than he was before. Danny was actually taking her on a date— him!

"Take care of her, Danny," Evelyn instructs, patting the familiar pilot on the shoulder, while looking for Bryce. "I'm trusting you with her; she's a good one, so don't let me down."

"I wouldn't dream of hurting her." And he meant every word. Even though he had only known Bryce for a short time, he couldn't hide his feelings. Danny was clearly attracted to her, and she to him. It was only a matter of time before the two of them would realize how much it actually meant.

The next few moments were like those in a movie; Bryce emerged from her bedroom, her eyes meeting Danny's as she descended down the stairs. There were collective gasps and grins from the nurses, but the man in the doorstep didn't seem to care about them anymore. Danny's gaze turned soft, his heart dropping in his chest.

"You look beautiful," he breathes out with a chuckle as she reaches the bottom of the staircase. "Oh— and these are for you."

Bryce takes the roses into her grip, being gentle as she touches a single petal from one of the roses. "Thank you, red is my favorite color."

And even though it was just something she said lightly, it made Danny want to learn everything there was to her. He wanted to know her hobbies, how she got into nursing— why her favorite color was red. If he was being honest, he didn't care what she would bring up, as long as he was there to hear about it.

"I'll have her back in a few hours," Danny speaks to Candice, glancing over Bryce's shoulder. And then, his gaze was back on Bryce— a longing one, that made him wish he could scoop her up and hold her.

"Actually," Candice taps her fingernails against the railing of the staircase, "stay out as long as you'd like. I won't rush the two of you. Now go and have fun."

Danny gave her a thankful glance, before holding out his hand. Bryce's red lips twitch upwards into a smile as she places her hand in his, and follows him out of the house. It was obvious how the both of them kept stealing glances on their way to Danny's car, and the spark that pulsed through their veins at the slightest touch.

"I hope you like picnics and strolls in the park," Danny says, opening the passenger door for Bryce, "because that's what I have planned for today."

"That sounds lovely," she smiles as he closes the door. "I enjoy the quiet, actually."

Danny was relieved as he walked to the driver side of the car. Already, Bryce was better than anything he could've ever expected, and was like him in many ways.

"How about chicken salad on croissants?" Danny raises an eyebrow, flashing his pearly whites as he buckles his seatbelt.

"Fancy," Bryce says with a nod. "I like it. But not too fancy, I hope. You wouldn't happen to have any wine in the back, would you?"

"Wine is for people like Rafe McCawley and Evelyn Johnson," he revvs the engine, rolling his eyes jokingly.

"And you don't relate to them?" The brunette questions, her eyes finding his. "I've heard a lot from Evelyn about Rafe, and I'm assuming the two of you are pretty close."

"He's been my best friend for as long as I can remember," Danny admits, a laugh escaping his lips. "But that definitely doesn't mean I fawn over expensive wines during important dates."

_______