10.
We go on two more dates. The first one is ice skating, where both Bella and I are surprised at her talent. She glides over the ice like it's what she's meant to do instead of falling on her butt over and over again. We laugh and have a lot of fun. I feel like we're moving forward now, perhaps to a wonderful future together.
Although I wanted to take her out for a picnic, weather is too awful for that so for the third date I invite her over to my place to cook dinner. I make sure she knows I don't expect anything. I just let her know that I love to cook, which is something she already knows, but she doesn't know these recipes. I've kept them from her on purpose, wanting to surprise her during a time like this.
And surprised she is. But she loves it. And I actually get a quick kiss on the lips at the end of the date. I would like more than that but I realize very well that I have to take baby steps with her. Although I'd love to be able to fix whatever is wrong with her, I know she's still not happy with anything in her life. She's just going through the motions. I hope one day I can be the right guy for her and make her happy and smile again, if the previous guy didn't destroy her forever.