At some point my brain starts to function again, and it's incredibly pleased with me. Two thoughts are rolling through my mind: I'm kissing Donna! And she's kissing me back!

It's possible that we've been doing this for quite a while, and maybe I should stop, so we could actually start our first date, but I don't want to. I want to stand here forever, with her in my arms, just like this. I want to explore her mouth, and breathe in tandem with her, and when that stops, I want to place gentle kisses on her nose and eyelids, and I want to nibble on her neck, and her earlobes, and her collarbone. And if I ever get tired of doing that, although I can't imagine that I would, I want to undress her and explore all the parts of her that are covered up by this incredible red dress.

But somehow, since my brain is functioning again, I am reminded that I really do want to take her on a first date right now. So after a few more minutes, I force myself to stop the kissing, and slowly pull away.

I feel flushed, and dazed, and happy, as I look into her face. Dare I say, she looks a little dazed and happy too? It makes me grin, and I feel my chest puff up a little. I did that. I put that blush on her cheeks and that look in her eye. I can't wait to see what she looks like after we make love for the first time.

I don't know exactly what to say, so I just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. "Every time you tied my tie, I've wanted to do that! I was going to wait until the end of the date to try to kiss you, but I just couldn't wait any longer!"

Donna grins, in her knowing, indulgent way. "I've wanted you to do that every time I've tied your tie! I'm glad you didn't wait until the end of the night. Honestly, I didn't really want you to stop. But I am wearing this dress, and I am kind of hungry, and I really do like Yo Yo Ma."

"Yo Yo Ma Rules!" I announce as I pump my fist enthusiastically.

Donna laughs at my teasing. "Well, then, let's go."

"Do you have a coat?"

"Yes."

She picks up a thin wrap and places it around her shoulders. I've never understood this, and I can't help but harass her gently over it.

"That's not really a coat, you know. Why do you women insist on going out in the middle of winter in a sleeveless gown, with gauze wrapped around you? You're never going to be warm enough."

"I can't very well wear a puffer jacket with this dress, now can I?"

She poses with one hip cocked out to the side, and I'm again very tempted to just stay in tonight. I mean, I could get tickets for some other time, right? . . . The plan. I must remember the plan. I am going to woo her if it kills me.

"I guess not. . . . . Here, wear mine." I take my coat off and drape it around her, earning a look of adoration. Oh yes, the wooing, it has begun.

"It's so warm. But now you'll be cold."

"I'll be fine." Besides, I'd suffer frostbite a hundred times over just for the look that she's giving me right now.

"My lady, your chariot awaits." I hold out my elbow to her and she slips her arm through it, and we're on our way.

As we pull away from Donna's apartment, my heart starts accelerating a bit. This is it! We are doing it! Our first date. I look over at Donna and grin at her.

She grins back. She really does seem just as happy as I am about this. Unbelievable!

"So . . . where are we going?"

"We're almost there. Would you like to be surprised?"

"Okay."

A few minutes later, we pull up to the valet.

"Phoebe's." She announces with a smile. "Excellent choice."

Leo recommended this when I told him I was taking Donna out. Based on Donna's reaction, I'm really glad I listened to him. As we get out of the car and make our way inside, I notice that Donna is looking around, taking in every detail. I'm a bit surprised.

"Is this the first time you've been here?"

"No. I had a date here a few years ago."

I try not to get jealous, but I can't help but ask, "which Gomer was it?"

"A guy named Todd." That doesn't really ring any bells for me. He must have been short lived.

"Do you want to go somewhere else or was the food good enough to overcome the bad date?"

She didn't really say it was a bad date, but I'm operating off the assumption that it was.

"I want to stay. I've heard so many good things about this place, I want to give it a chance."

"What did you get last time?"

She wrinkles her nose. "Two whiskey sours and a bowl of soup."

"That's kind of odd."

"It was a short date."

"Was it my fault?"

"No. It wasn't. But I don't want to talk about that. I'd rather focus on enjoying this time with you."

There's a part of me that wants to press for the story. But she's right. We don't need to hash over anything from the past. We're here together now. And the future is ours.