Driven_589066

“For your approval madam, fresh vegetables and a vegetable pate. The crackers are also kosher for you meat hating types. I checked just to make sure.”

“You’ve gone all out for me. I’m impressed.”

“Of course I did. I wanted us to have a nice first date.”

Dylan smiled and took Cat’s hand gently, running her thumb over the back of soft skin. “It’s already nice, because we’re together.”

“You’re very sweet. You know that?”

Cat is delighted to see Dylan duck her head and smile in a slightly bashful way. The blonde leaned forward and placed a soft kiss to the lips before her.

When she drew back, she smiled again. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

Cat cleared her throat and slapped back all the thoughts of leaving dinner untouched as she dragged Dylan to her bedroom. “Try the pate.”

The tall woman nodded and took one of the crackers in hand. Cat turned away and rooted around in the drawer for a wine opener.

“Oooo this is good.”

Cat turned around, nearly dropping the bottle and the corkscrew. “Really?” Blonde brows jumped to her hairline.

“Yes, really.” Dylan laughed. “It’s very good.”

There was an audible sigh of relief, which made Dylan chuckle harder.

“Don’t tell me you were worried.”

“Of course I was worried,” she stated as she struggled with getting the cork from the bottle. “My idea of vegetarian is extra tomatoes on my hamburger.”

Dylan took the bottle and easily removed the cork as two glasses were placed in front of her. “Thanks.”

“No problem. After spending all day in the kitchen, that was easy.” Cat sat moved around the breakfast bar and took a seat next to Dylan. Taking her wine

glass she held it up in toast, “Here’s to a wonderful evening.”

“I’ll drink to that.” She sipped her wine before turning back to the pate. She offered a cracker coated in the greenish brown paste. “Try it.”

“I dunno…”

“Oh now come on, you didn’t go to all this trouble, just to let me eat it myself.”

Cat tasted the mixture, reluctantly agreeing with a nod that it was pretty good.

“So,” Dylan popped the rest of the cracker in her mouth. “What else is for dinner?”

“Miso soup…”

“One of my favorites.”

“Good. Spinach soufflé and roasted chilies.”

“Wow you did go all out didn’t you?”

“I tried.”

“Thanks. Not many people go to the trouble of cooking for me.”

“I actually enjoyed it.”

Dylan absently scratched her neck. “When will it be ready?”

“Oh it’s ready now.”

“Then let’s eat, but before we do, can I use your bathroom?”

“Sure, you know where it is.”

Dylan got up and headed upstairs, while Cat dishes out the soup. She noticed that it had an extremely tangy smell she hadn’t noticed before, but she

figured it must be natural.

“Hey Cat?”

She moved so she could look up to the railing where Dylan was standing. “Yeah?”

“Did the pate have peanuts in it?”

“No why?”

“Well, I’m starting to break out like I do when I eat peanuts. I have a mild allergy. Nothing serious. I was just wondering.”

“No it’s got…” she paused, then dashed into the kitchen, pulling a bottle of oil from the cabinet. “Oh shit!” She ran back out and looked up again. “Peanut

oil.”

“That’s it.” Dylan chuckled as she descended the stairs.

“I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, it’s okay, really. I forgot to tell you and you had no way to know.”

“Oh damn.”

“Cat, really, it’s okay. I swear. It’s not serious. I just won’t be eating anymore of that pate.”

Cat nodded ruefully and headed back into the kitchen. “How about soup, I promise no peanuts or peanut extract got within a foot of it.”

“Perfect.”

They went to the small dining table, which Cat had set with a tablecloth and candles. The addition of Dylan’s flowers made it very romantic.

Seated, Cat brought the soupspoon to her lips but stopped just short when the smell assailed her again. Dylan looked at the bowl with some concern.

“Ummm Cat, what’s in this soup?”

“It’s a vegetable stock with tofu.”

“Un-huh. Did you put the tofu in the fridge?”

“No, it’s bean curd for God’s sake…” She stopped and looked to Dylan. “It went bad?”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “I’m afraid so, tofu can go bad in a flash.”

“I don’t believe this.”

“Hey, we still have the soufflé and the roasted chilies.”

“Right.” Cat tried to remain positive, but her hopes were slowly diminishing. “Let’s hope I don’t kill you with those.”

“Cat,” Dylan moved closer and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman. “You have no idea how much it means to me that you even tried this. Vegan

cooking isn’t easy.”

“Vegan?” Cat slowly drew back. “As in no meat by products?”

“Yeah.”

“Great there goes the soufflé.”

“What?”

“Eggs and milk,” Cat sat back down. “God, this has got to go onto your list of hellish dates.”

“No,” Dylan returned to her seat. “It’s not hellish. I could stand to lose a little weight.” She joked hoping to lighten the mood. “We still have roast chilies.”

“Are you sure you’re that brave?”

“Absolutely, bring them on.”

Cat wasn’t sure why Dylan was being so gracious about the whole mess, but she hoped that she wouldn’t go screaming into the night. Well, at least not