While preparing for his date with Mason, the last thing Jamie needs is to slip in the shower and bash his face in, but when there's a loud thumping sound against the door of the dormitory's communal bathroom he's in, he nearly brains himself against the wall. Flailing for balance, he lets out an undignified screech and, most importantly, doesn't fall and injure himself. Not only would that be embarrassing, but he'd have to call off his date with Mason.

They've been on dates over the summer, but somehow this one feels more important. Maybe it's because they're away from home and are on their own for the first time. It feels more grown-up to be at university than him picking up Mason from his sister's apartment or hanging out in his childhood home, where neither place had proper privacy. Now, Jamie has a single room, and they can do whatever they want without being interrupted or told to leave the door open. Jamie loves his mom, he does, but sometimes he just wants to cuddle (or more) with his boyfriend in peace.

Luckily, he catches himself, and he hears a muffled apology from the other side of the door.

He also shaves and styles his hair before leaving the bathroom. Stripping out of the loose shorts and shirt he wore to walk through the hall back to his room, Jamie finishes drying and pulls on the red button-up shirt he got for his final band concert at Lincoln. The one Mason said looked good on him.

Wait.

Now that he knows Mason is gay and was into him back then, he wonders if Mason was flirting with him. He wasn't sure at the time, but now he's pretty sure Mason flirted with him in front of the other band kids in the middle of Sherri's.

Huh. Well, at least he knows Mason likes how he looks in this shirt.

After getting dressed, he puts on a couple dabs of the cologne his mom bought him before he left home in August. He has some time to kill before picking Mason up, so he sets a five-minute timer before working on a class assignment.

Thirty minutes later, he's parking in the closest parking lot to Mason's residence and walks up to the building.

I'm here ?

I'll be down in a minute ❤️

A couple of students exit the building, and one of the girls asks if he's going in.

"No, I'm waiting for my boyfriend. We're going out."

"Have fun," she says suggestively as she winks and wiggles her fingers in a wave.

"You look great," one of her friends says, giving him a thumbs up. "He's going to love it."

Sometimes Jamie really loves being at college. The easy acceptance of him being gay and having a boyfriend wouldn't have been possible at Lincoln.

The door opens shortly after, and Mason steps out, looking amazing. He's wearing a crisp white shirt that darkens his honey skin and brightens the smile he flashes when he sees Jamie. Then his eyes slowly look him over, and his smile turns into more of a suggestive smirk.

"Well, hello," he says, still looking at Jamie appreciatively.

Jamie leans in for a kiss. "Hi. Ready to go?"

"Hold on." Mason hauls him back in and nuzzles the underside of Jamie's jaw where he put the cologne. "What are you wearing? That smells amazing."

"You like it?"

"Mmhmm."

It doesn't seem like Mason's going to stop cuddling any time soon. It's flattering, but they do need to get to dinner. Reluctantly, Jamie takes a step back. "Come on. We should get going. We can cuddle after."

"We better," Mason says as he follows Jamie to his car.

It's a short drive to one of the local restaurants, where they are seated in a booth near the back. It's nice and private, providing an intimate atmosphere. There's a little tea light on the table between them and a vase with a couple of flowers.

"This place is really nice," Jamie says, enjoying the soothing jazz music playing softly. "I'm glad Sam suggested it."

"Me too. So, how were your classes today?"

Jamie tells Mason about his day, and just as he's starting to talk about the project his professor told them about, a waiter comes up to their table.

"Hola- um, sorry. Hello, what you like to drink?"

Mason gives the waiter a considering look, then asks, "¿Hablas español?"

The guy's face brightens. "¡Sì! Mi familia acaba de mudarse aquí desde México, así que todavía no soy muy bueno hablando inglés."

"Mi papá también es de México." Jamie tries not to gape at his boyfriend speaking Spanish with the waiter. The vowels sound so smooth, like melted chocolate, and they roll over Jamie like music. "¿Quieres que ordene en español o en inglés?"

"Me gustaría practicar mi inglés, pero gracias."

Then, as if they didn't just chat in Spanish, Mason orders his drink, then they both look expectantly at Jamie. Flustered from hearing Mason speaking Spanish, he stammers out his order.

As the waiter walks away, Mason asks if he's okay.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Your face is red."

"Thank you," he says sarcastically. "That's exactly what every guy wants to hear while on a date."

Mason's eyes soften. "Tell me?"

Jamie's resolve crumbles. Fiddling with the cutlery on the table, he shrugs and says, "I know why you swore off Spanish, and I completely understand, but I dunno. I like the way it sounds. It was super hot."

"It was? ¿Debo hablar en español cuando estamos en la cama?"

Jamie's cheeks heat up as Mason intentionally uses a seductive tone while speaking Spanish. It's a double blow, and completely unfair. He knows it was a question, and he guesses an answer, despite having no idea what Maosn just asked. "Yes?"

Mason smirks like he got the answer he wanted. "Okay."

The waiter comes over with their drinks, and they order, Mason helping the guy speak English as they do so.

The food is incredible, but Jamie spends at least half of the meal focusing on Mason and playing footsies with him under the table. They talk and flirt, and Jamie would love for every day to end with a lovely dinner with his boyfriend.

"I've got it," Mason says when the bill comes.

"What? No, It's my turn."

"It's definitely my turn."

"You paid last time."

"Whoever suggests the date is the one who pays."

Jamie ends up plucking Mason's debit card out of his fingers and putting it in his own wallet to keep him from paying for the dinner. If Mason had his way, he'd pay for every date they go on. Jamie has to admit it's nice to be treated to dinners, but he also wants to treat his boyfriend to nice dates. Mason deserves to have someone pay for his meals and buy him things too.

Mason pouts, but not for long. It's Friday night, and they're walking hand in hand to Jamie's car to go back to his dorm room to spend the night together.