Hi all, I know it has been a minute, but what a crazy year it has been. My goal is still to complete this story, although I can't promise weekly chapters or anything like that I do plan to keep updating until we get to the end. Hope you'll stick around.

This is just a short chapter of Lara Jean and Landon's date. Enjoy! - Pink

Chapter 8: Wine and Tiramisu

"Wow," Said Lara Jean as they stepped off the elevator onto the top floor. She was in awe of the restaurant that Landon had chosen. She had expected fancy when he had told her the dress code, but wasn't prepared for the chairs draped in deep velvet and sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. Best of all was the view. Most of the restaurant was able to take advantage of the floor to ceiling windows that surrounded the guests, but Lara Jean was even more delighted when their waiter walked them to a table right next to glass where she had a perfect view of the glowing city. Moments like these reminded her of why she stayed in New York.

"This place," she said nodding to the waiter as he placed a delicate menu in front of her, "Is amazing Landon."

"It's one of my favorite views of the city," He said before turning to the waiter to order wine for the both of them. "I didn't even ask if you liked red," he said slightly flustered as the waiter walked away.

"I love red." Lara Jean smiled at him reassuringly. "Also, if this is only one of your favorite views in the city, I have got to see the others."

Landon leaned in and gently grabbed her hand, "I can't wait to be your tour guide."

Lara Jean felt a rush of heat fill her face and she looked down at the menu for the first time. She noticed that none of the items had prices.

"Landon, this place is really nice. I totally would have been happy with sushi."

He scrunched his face, picking up the menu and turning the page, "I think they have sushi here. Let's see..."

Lara jean laughed and it was her turn to grab his hand, "No. no I mean. We could have gone to a less expensive place. I really don't mind."

Just then the waiter returned with their wine and filled their glasses before propping the bottle on the table.

"Lara Jean, don't worry about it. I want to bring you here. Order whatever you like, I mean it." Lara Jean nodded but looked unsure, "Plus, they have an amazing dessert menu."

Her eyes lit up, "Well at least let me get the dessert."

"No way," he said smiling, "This one is all me, and the next one too."

Lara Jean took a large gulp of her wine, "So you're already planning the next one?"

"Hey," he put his hands up in joking defense, "You're the one that said you want to see all my favorite spots."

"Can't argue with that" she breathed, "So, what's good here?"

A little while later their food had arrived and a second bottle of wine had been ordered. Lara Jean had long ago felt the nervous jitters be replaced with the warm energy that the alcohol gave her. Their conversations jumped from the food to childhood and work and then back to the food. Landon was an intense listener. Every time she spoke he would lean in as if she were telling him some secret he couldn't miss. He even allowed her fork on his plate to grab some potatoes and fed her a piece of the steak he'd cut just for her. All because, in his words, she "could not leave this restaurant without tasting this steak." She knew it was the wine making her brain think this way, but swore it was the best steak she had ever tasted simply because it was on his fork.

"Can we also have the dessert menu please?" Landon asked as the waiter collected their emptied plates.

Lara Jean clapped quietly in appreciation, "I am so excited for this dessert. I'm so full, but there's still so much room for dessert." She giggled.

Landon smiled at her while sipping from his glass, "Trust me it's worth the food coma you're about to have once we leave." he paused as he watched her drift out the window as they had done so many times throughout the night. "Did I already tell you how beautiful you look?"

She blushed as she did the first 3 times he'd said it. First when he arrived to pick her up in her apartment. Then on the ride to the restaurant and in the elevator. "You did," she said. "Thank you."

"Sorry, it's just I've never seen you with your hair up like that at work. It brings out your eyes… and that dress, wow."

It was true, she had spent too much time on her hair that night trying to create the perfect updo that framed her face. Her deep burgundy silk slip-dress was something she had been keeping in the back of her closet waiting for the perfect occasion. The subtle ruching accentuated her curves and there was a high split that she was almost nervous to wear, but the heels she chose made her calves and the slither of thigh that would peak out made the dress. Even Jeanette had to stop from rushing out to her own date to give Lara Jean a low whistle.

She wanted to look good for him and for herself, but she still wasn't prepared for the way he looked at her when she opened the door for him. How she could literally see him lose his words at the sight of her. She realized then it felt good to be seen this way. She hadn't felt like this in a long time.

"Thank you. You also look very handsome," She smiled.

"Ahh you know. I tried." He said waving her off.

The dessert menu arrived and she couldn't choose just one thing. So they decided to get two things and split them. The restaurant was famous for their Tiramisu, so that was a given in addition to a slice of caramel coated cheesecake.

"Mmm." Lara Jean moaned, closing her eyes after spooning. her first bite of Tiramisu into her mouth. When she opened her eyes Landon was staring with his mouth slightly ajar.

"That good huh?" he said, smirking.

"Let's just say," She said blushing, "I see why it's famous. I wonder if I can make this?" She picked up another bite and brought it close to her face, "Look at those layers."

"I will happily be your tiramisu test subject." Landon said going in for the cheesecake. "Ok, you gotta try this too." He pushed the small plate in her direction and watched as she had a similar reaction. "Right?" he asked and she nodded. "You know cheesecake might be my favorite dessert."

She pointed her clean fork at him, "Did you tell me that? If you did I don't remember. Noted." She said before digging in.

Once their meal was officially over Landon snatched the bill up before Lara Jean could even peak at the price. After grabbing their coats the linked arms and walked down the street together. The cool air helped to sober Lara Jean up a bit, but she still felt charged from the night.

"I don't wanna go home yet," She blurted out.

He laughed, "Me either and it's way too early for the dress to go home. I know a place we go near here and talk some more."

"That sounds perfect!"

They ended up at a nearby lounge and were able to sit in a secluded booth. They ordered drinks and sipped slowly continuing conversations. At one point Lara Jean went to the bathroom and came back and decidedly sat closer to Landon in the corner booth, crossing her leg so that their knees would graze his if she laughed or made any other sudden movements. When Landon went to the bathroom, he came back and slid an arm around her shoulders and never stopped brushing his fingers across the skin until they left a couple hours later.

He stood on the sidewalk, phone in hand about to call an Uber. She was bouncing up and down next to him for warmth. Her cheeks were red from the wind that picked up while they had been inside.

"How much is it?" She asked. "We can split it."

"So you're just gonna keep trying to pay for stuff, huh?" he joked at her.

"I want to contribute something, Lando!"

He took a step back clutching his chest, "Oh you called me Lando, too. This just keeps getting worse and worse. Maybe the night should have ended after dinner."

"Oh you know you couldn't resist spending more time with me," She poked at him still feeling bolder than earlier in the night.

"You're right about that." He said slipping his phone is his pocket and snacking his arms around her waist. "I can't resist you even when you call me.. Lando." He shivered and pinched her sides causing her to laugh.

"Ok ok. I'll never call you that again. I know you hate it."

"You can call me whatever you want. I don't even care." They were silent for a moment realizing how close they had managed to get to each other. Landon's eyes floated towards Lara Jean's lips and she instinctively bit her bottom lip. "Can I be honest with you Lara Jean?"

She gulped louder than intended and nodded, releasing her lip from her teeth.

"I had a really good time tonight. I loved being able to get to know you outside of work and outside of…." he trailed off and the both understood he was referring to Peter. "I don't want you to go home right now."

"I had a great time tonight too and I'm not ready to go home either...but it's kinda late where else could we go?" She asked looking at him through her long eyelashes.

"Well...you could come home to my place. I-I don't live far from here." Lara Jean could sense that while Landon had been cool the whole night he was suddenly nervous and probably rethinking being so forward. So she did the one thing she had been wanting to do the entire night: wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. She immediately felt him relax and tighten his arms around her waist.

When they broke apart she was winded but smirked before saying, "I'll come over only on one condition."

"Anything"

"I'm paying for the Uber."