At least 10 minutes passed as they walked through the park, Tony guiding Kate the whole way. Although she was prepared for him to do so, he didn't ditch Kate in the middle of the trees, making her smile.
Noticing Kate smile made Tony happy. He couldn't wait to show her the surprise. Hopefully, it would not only strengthen their friendship, but also start something else.
Eventually, Kate felt herself stop moving. Not letting go of her hands, Tony turned her around before saying, "you can take the blindfold off now."
Excitedly removing the blindfold, Kate gasped at the sights surrounding her.
They were stood on a luscious grassy bank overlooking a sparkling, crystal-watered lake with a small wooden sailboat docked at the water's edge. As she looked up the bank, she saw a tiny white open-air summer house with a picnic table in the middle. Up in the tall, mysterious oak trees were fairy lights, glowing iridescently in beautiful colours such as light blue, peony pink and shimmering white. The setting summer sun cast a peaceful coral light onto the setting, casting long shadows all over the place which seemed to dance in the light breeze.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, turning back to face Tony, who was stood still, watching her intently. "What is it?"
"How about we discuss it over dinner?" Tony suggested, gesturing to the summer house.
Kate nodded and followed him over to the picnic table. After making sure that she was seated, he reached into a bag under the table and pulled out an array of different dishes. Then, he set the table with cutlery, plates and drinks before lighting a candle in the centre. Once this was done, he dished out the food, pressed a button on his phone, which began to play music and finally sat down opposite Kate.
"So," Kate began, "what is this place?"
"It's mine- I inherited it from a great aunt that died a couple of months ago. It was a bit scrappy when I first got it, but I cleared it up; made it the ideal summer hangout."
"How many people have you bought here?"
"Actually, you're the first," Tony paused, "I wanted the first date that I bought here to be someone truly special."
Realising what he had just said, Kate dropped her cutlery abruptly. "Did you say date?"
Tony shuffled nervously in his seat. "Um… Maybe?"
"Is this a date?"
"Well um… Yes? No?" He stammered, "Only if you want it to be…"
Kate hesitated. Did she want this to be a date? What if Gibbs found out? Did it really matter?
"I do."
"Then," Tony grinned, reaching across the table and taking her hand, "it's a date."