28 Blind Dates: After the Costumes (Part 1)

1st Day Living Together

Jalisa wakes up to an empty bed the morning after she and Merlin return from the Blind Dates Challenge’s final date. The obstacles aren’t over, though, now they have to learn how to live together.

Jalisa goes downstairs and finds Merlin in the kitchen.

Jalisa: Oooh, what’s for breakfast?

Merlin: I made vegetarian dumplings. *passes by with plate* You look gorgeous in the morning, by the way.

Jalisa smiles, appreciating the compliment. She grabs her own plate and joins Merlin at the table. She sits way down at the other end. Merlin stares at her with a curious expression, but he doesn’t question why she chose to sit so far away from him.

It’s almost time for him to go to work. They find that they make a good pair in the kitchen. He loves to cook, and she doesn’t mind cleaning up afterward.

Passing the portraits of all the eliminated Blind Date Challenge contestants as he leaves for work feels a lot like revisiting the ghosts of ‘friends’ past. It’s awkward because he ended up making a connection with some of these guys, although each of them once competed with him to win Jalisa’s heart. Merlin feels lucky to be the victorious one in the end, but it still sucks to have to see these guys every day. He wonders if Jalisa would be opposed to removing them eventually.

Meanwhile, Jalisa gets to work filing documents for her first day of work as a process server and begins to plan her and Merlin’s wedding and honeymoon. She was sad to discover that Merlin used up all his vacation time during the challenge. Even though he works for himself with only a few employees, as a responsible employer, he still feels the need to earn some time back before they can get married. Jalisa searches for a while but eventually gives up because she has no date to reserve their wedding cake and wedding venue.

She focuses on building up her wellness skill instead. It helps take her mind off their now postponed wedding.

Jalisa sighs when her cell beeps while she’s in the middle of her favorite yoga pose, but she’s glad she checked it when she sees that it’s an offer she can’t refuse. She’s been offered a job as a writer with Walden Books starting at level 5. Her dream was always to study law, but she’d be starting from the bottom, making less than half of what this new job offers. She quits the law career and accepts the new offer. She’ll begin tomorrow.

Merlin comes upstairs and sits near her when he arrives home.

Jalisa: Guess what! I quit my job.

Merlin thinks it’s a joke.

Merlin: *chuckles* But you haven’t even started yet.

Jalisa: I know, but I just received a job offer making tons more money, so I took it.

Merlin realizes that she’s serious.

Merlin: Oh, then we should celebrate.

Jalisa is pleased that he sounds happy for her.

They go to the Trolley Stop Diner not far from their house. It’s not the fanciest place to celebrate a new job, but Jalisa is pleased that Merlin was willing to even go, knowing that he sees eating out as a waste of money. It makes her feel good because she knows that he’s doing it for her.

Jalisa: *after her plate is empty* So, how does your French toast taste?

Merlin: See for yourself. You’re welcome to as much of it as you want.

Jalisa: Just a taste is good enough.

Merlin: A taste, huh? *grabs a forkful and leans towards her* Okay, then open up!

Merlin feeds her a bite just like he did on one of their dates back when they were still costumed.

Merlin: What do you think?

Jalisa: It’s good, but we both know that a bite isn’t enough.

Merlin: *laughs* I don’t know why you always try to fool yourself.

Merlin unselfishly feeds her a second bite.

Outside of the diner.

Merlin: I think I’m ready for dessert.

Jalisa: Why didn’t you say so before we walked out?

Merlin: I’m not talking about that type of dessert. And I definitely want more than a bite.

Jalisa: *flirty* Oh, really?

She leans over and gives him a lingering kiss. They take it back home to the bedroom and woohoo until they both fall asleep.

BDC: After the Costumes Summaries | read from the beginning