Mindy had raced home after her work hours were finished. She could not remember a time she was this anxious about a date. There was no reason for her to be nervous, she wouldn't have to deal with the awkwardness of a first date with Danny because they basically know everything about each other. However, the fact that they were going on a real date, cemented things. It meant this was real, they weren't just messing around, stealing kisses. No, they were dating, as in starting a real relationship and if nothing else, this terrified her a little.

The knocking at her door caused her heart rate to peak, she had just finished applying her make up. Mindy's eyes flashed to the clock outside her bathroom which told her he was early. She didn't even need to peak through the peephole to know who it was at her door. She did anyway, just to see him. To look at him without him having to be aware of it. Mindy liked having this type of freeness to check him out, the tiny hole in the door did not allow her the type of view she wanted though so she opened the door.

"Hey" Danny said simply. He was dressed in a dark grey suit that had the softest sheen to it as to not make it so boring. He paired that with a black button down, choosing to leave the top two buttons undo, showing the sprinkle of hair high up on his chest.

"Hey. Your early but I'm almost ready." Mindy replied. She was so impressed by how great he looked.

"These are for you." He handed her a bouquet of a dozen peach roses.

"Wow Danny, thank you. These are beautiful. I've never gotten peach roses before." she held the bouquet to her nose she inhaled a lungful of the velvety scent.

"Ah, I ask the florist for something that had meaning and she suggested these." He began fidgeting with something in his pocket as he sated down at his shoe as if he already knew her question.

"What do they mean? By the way, will you come inside. I need to finish getting dressed." Mindy made her way into the kitchen to fill a vase with water for her roses.

"Our reservation is at 7:45, so we have sometime. I got ready pretty quickly and figured I'd prefer waiting here with you instead of at my apartment." Danny was hoping she had forgotten the question she asked earlier, it seemed that way as she busied herself in her closet picking out an outfit.

Mindy wanted to be the ideal amount of classy tonight. She had to pair her outfit with what Danny was wearing. She also wanted to have a little hint of sexiness, so she chose her red snake skin dress that hug her every curve but left a lot to the imagination. She paired this with the most fabulous pair of Louboutin she had been dying to wear, they were simple, black pumps that made her feel like a new woman. Ah, what they right pair of shoes could do.

"Do you wanna have a drink or something before we head out?" Danny called to her from the kitchen. He was already busying himself making their drinks. He needed to get his nerves under control. Deep breathing was no longer doing it for him, he need the help of a little Jack. He was certain he would be able to be cool, calm and collected on his date with Mindy. Why shouldn't he be. They had been friends for so long, they knew each other very well. This should be the easiest thing in the to transition into a relationship from a friendship, right? That's what he told himself, but he knew it would not be easy. They are risking so much, he knew that, but he also knew how great it would be and that's what he chose to focus on.

"Sure, I could use a drink." Mindy made her appearance in the kitchen, a tiny smile forming on her face.

"Oh wow, Min..you look...Wow." Danny couldn't complete his sentence. He always knew Mindy was beautiful and she always dressed nice. This time had him stomped because in the back of his head he knew she was dressed like this for him, she looked this gorgeous because she was going out with him. He cleared his throat and tried again. "You look absolutely breathtaking Min".

Mindy glanced down at her outfit, happy with the choice she made based on his reaction. "Thank you Castellano and I didn't say this earlier but you look really great too. Like you stepped out of the page of a GQ ad or something."

"Laying it on a little thick there." Danny blushed. He secretly enjoyed the fact that she noticed he had made an effort to look his best for her.

"Shut up and take the compliment. You do look good and I want to let you know." Mindy chided.

"Okay, well thank you." He smiled at her, holding her gaze. He felt a brand new wave of excitement move through him at the moment. How could he be nervous or hesitant. This was Mindy. He had wanted this so long, he was not going to allow fear or anything else to get in the way of what was blooming here.

"Come here." He held out his hand toward her as she made her way to him. Holding her hand and her gaze, Danny took a deep breath.

"Earlier you asked me what the flowers meant and I was secretly hoping you would forge to I wouldn't have to say the words. I want to be honest with you Mindy. I know sometimes too much honesty isn't a good thing but I want us to stand a fair chance. Since I came here I've been thinking how easily we could mess this up but now, standing in front of you, I'm not scared anymore. I realize that this is what I want. You are what I want, and have for a log time. So I'm going to give my all and try everyday to make sure we make this work."

Mindy felt tears sting the back of her eyes. She took a deep breath trying to calm to sea of emotions that ran through her. "Danny, you are such a sweetheart. I love what you said. I had those same thoughts, but as long as you promise that you will try to make us work, even when we are fighting like cats and dogs, which you know is gonna happen, I will try too. I really want us to work." She sniffed her nosed and laugh chuckled a bit. "You still haven't told me what they flowers mean though."

He laughed shyly at her. He felt so much in that moment he too had the beginning of tears in his eyes. He hid them though, it might be a little to early to let her see you cry, he thought. Danny cleared the emotions clogged in his throat. "Um, well.." He took hold of Mindy's hand, "I told the florist I was going on a first date with a woman that has been the best friend I could ever hope for and that I wanted her to be sure of my intentions. She suggested the typical red roses at first but I wanted something unique so she instead gave me these which mean optimism towards the future because that's what I am."

Mindy could do nothing more than lean forward and kiss him. It was a chaste kiss and she took the time to wipe he lipstick residue from his lips, letting her finger idle there. That was the most beautiful thing she had heard and she was having an inner struggle refraining from throwing herself at him.

"I want to forget about dinner so badly right now." She said unabashedly.

"And something." Danny smirked. Relieved that he wasn't coming on too strong too soon.

"What?" Mindy queried.

"It's dinner and something. Which we are going to do, so calm down. I promise you, if you get through this, you'll be rewarded greatly later.

Mindy audibly gasped. Danny was really ever this open. "I love your dirty little mind, pervert."

"I didn't say anything dirty. Get your mind out of the gutter."

"Alright fine. Let's do this, because suddenly I can't wait to get it over with." She winked at him.

"Who's a pervert now. Here, drink up." He handed her a shot glass of Jack Daniels. " I was gonna attempt making a cocktail or something but this is all you have. I don't know how you survive without food in your home."

"Alright. Don't go off on me now. Let's cheers to being optimistic!" That brought a smile from both of them.

Locking the door behind her as they left, Mindy felt as Danny came up behind her and kiss her shoulder. "I'm a very happy man."

She turned, the biggest smile on her face. Taking hold of his hands resting at her hips she said, "Let's do this Castellano."

With that, they were off.

Ahhhh! Sorry it took me so long to update you guys. I, like everyone else I'm sure, have just been caught up in the new episodes and interviews. I can't get enough of these two.

I wanted to make this the final chapter but I'm wondering if another chapter would be pushing it. Let me know what you think.

And thank you as always for reading!