"Hey, Fatima, um, I have an idea," Devin said shyly. Fatima smiled.

"Let's hear it," she replied. Devin blushed.

"How would you feel about a picnic at the park?" he asked shyly. Fatima grinned.

"That sounds…That sounds perfect," she said shyly. Devin grinned.

"Friday after work?" he asked softly. Fatima grinned.

"How about Saturday at eleven? We can pack a big feast and take it to the park around the corner, that has the pond," Fatima offered. Devin grinned.

"Pack your swimsuit and we can go for a swim," he offered. Fatima smiled.

"I like that idea," she replied. Devin smiled.

Three days later, Devin showed up at Fatima's apartment with a cooler of food.

"I stopped by that sandwich shop you like and picked some up," he said sweetly. Fatima grinned. "I also got some sodas and waters, and some chips, and I made those cookies you like," he said sweetly.

"I made a fruit salad and kolaches," she replied. Devin inhaled and grinned.

"It smells incredible in here," he said softly. Fatima laughed and grabbed her bag, then set the food in the cooler. They walked out to the car and Devin loaded it up, then opened the door for Fatima. Fatima smiled and got in, then closed the door. Soon, they had pulled into the parking lot and got out. They made their way to a grassy patch, then spread out a blanket and sat down. Devin set the cooler on the grass and smiled. They sat down and opened the cooler, then started pulling the food out. Fatima took a bottle of water, while Devin grabbed a Coke and set it on the blanket. Fatima sat down and grabbed the bag of sandwiches.

"Which one's mine?" she asked.

"Getting straight to the eating, huh? I knew I liked you for a reason," he said teasingly. Fatima blushed and smiled.

"That doesn't answer my question," she teased.

"I don't know. They're not labelled. Let me see," he said softly. Fatima opened one of them, then smiled when she saw it was exactly how she liked it.

"You got it perfectly," she said sweetly. "You know I never remember to tell them no mayo," she said. Devin grinned.

"Only perfect for my girl," he said softly. Fatima blushed and sat down, then ran her hand through the soft grass. Devin opened his sandwich and took a big bite of it. They ate for a bit, chatting easily and awkwardly flirting. Devin shyly opened the package of kolaches and took a bite. "Wow. These are amazing, Fatima. You made them?" he asked. Fatima smiled and blushed.

"From scratch," she said sweetly. Devin's eyes widened and he smiled.

"So you're gonna make me food from now on?" he teased gently. Fatima laughed.

"I will make you food sometimes, Devin," she said softly. After a bit, Fatima looked up. "Can we take a walk for a bit?" she asked softly. Devin smiled.

"Yeah. Help me get this packed up first?" he asked softly. Fatima nodded and started packing up the food.

"You want to just put this in the car so we don't have to lug it around?" Fatima asked. Devin nodded and grabbed his keys. They put the cooler in the trunk, then walked back and down the trail. After about fifteen minutes, they were near a field of wildflowers. "It's pretty out here," she said softly.

"Yeah it is,"" Devin replied, barely seeing the flowers. All he could think about was pulling Fatima on top of him and kissing her passionately. Fatima smiled and turned to face him.

"There was, um, something I wanted to talk to you about while we're here," she said softly. Devin grinned.

"Let's hear it," he said softly. His heart fluttered as he thought about what she may have wanted to talk about.

"I, um, I, wow. This is harder than I thought it would be," she said softly. Devin smiled softly.

"Just say it," he said gently. Fatima nodded.

"I, um, I think I've developed feelings for you," she whispered. "I like you, like, I like-like you," she said softly. She turned away, suddenly feeling very insecure. "Come on, let's hear it. What the hell is wrong with me, just say it, Devin," she said softly. Devin felt like his heart was beating out of his chest.

"I love you," he eventually blurted out. He reached out and tangled their fingers together. "Fatima, why would I think something is wrong with you?" he asked gently.

"I don't know. I just thought you'd be mad, or disgusted, I don't know," she said softly.

"Fatima, hey, no," he said gently. He pulled her closer and put a hand on her face. "I would never be disgusted. You're such an amazing, beautiful, perfect human being," he whispered. Fatima grinned and slowly leaned in. Devin pulled her closer and pressed his lips to hers. They kissed softly, feeling the years of flirting and teasing each other spill out into a heated kiss. They pulled apart slowly, as Devin wrapped his arms around her. "I love you," he whispered, this time softer and gentler. Fatima smiled and kissed him again, this time just a peck on the lips.

"I love you too," she said softly. "Thank you for not hating me," she whispered. Devin nodded and kissed her softly. Devin pulled her closer and smiled.

"Of course. I'm really glad we decided to do this," Devin replied, then kissed again sweetly.