Later that evening, at Dub’s place…
Wade:*on the phone* I’m all dressed and ready, so where are we meeting up this time?
Dub listens to the response on the other end of the line.
Wade: Really? In Glimmerbrook? I would never have guessed there was anything like that there.
He listens again.
Wade: I look forward to it. I’ll see you in about 40 minutes.
Dub hops in the car and pulls up a few minutes late at a cozy inn with an attached bistro in the nearby town of Glimmerbrook. The only other time he visited Glimmerbrook was when he and Maia attempted marriage counseling. He considers that for a moment before brushing the thought aside. There’s no use dwelling on old endings; right now he’s hoping this visit to town will lead to a beginning.
Dub quickens his steps and hurries into the building.
As Dub enters the lobby, he tries not to think too hard about why his date, Kalani, would want to meet here. On the phone, she said she’s always wanted to visit Champs Les Sims, so that explains why she chose the attached French bistro. Dub decides it’s safer to take her at her word without reading too much into it. Still, he can’t rule out the possibility of them getting a room and staying the night.
He steps inside the bistro and immediately spots Kalani sitting off to the side. He’s already a little late, so he quickens his pace. As he crosses the room, their eyes meet, and a slow warmth spreads through him, pulling him back to the moment he first saw her on the “Blow Out the Candle or Find Love” SimTube show. His mouth widens into a smile that matches hers.
Wade: I’m sorry I’m late. There was an accident just outside of San Sequoia. I had to take a side road to get around it.
Kalani: It’s okay. I just got here myself. It’s good to see you again.
Dub realizes he was so busy apologizing that he didn’t greet her properly.
Wade: It’s good to see you, too. You look beautiful.
Kalani: Thank you.
Wade examines their surroundings, taking in the wine-lined shelves, soft lighting, and French-inspired décor.
Wade: Nice place you picked. I can see why you wanted to come here. Can I buy you a drink?
Kalani smiles and nods softly. Wade stands and offers his hand to help her up, squeezing it gently before releasing it and leading her to the bar.
Wade: What are we having tonight?
Kalani pauses, wrinkles her nose briefly, and tilts her head as she thinks.
Kalani: I have a taste for a Soft Shadow Avornalino.
Dub turns to the bartender and waves a hand.
Wade: We’ll take two Soft Shadows, please.
The bartender pours the wine and places two glasses on the bar.
Dub and Kalani have written to one another on Social Bunny a handful of times since their first meetup, but her responses always gave a friendly vibe. Being here with her now feels unexpected.
Wade: I’m glad you called and invited me here. I convinced myself you wouldn’t want to see me again.
Kalani: Really? Why’d you think that?
Wade: Because of what I said last time we saw each other. It wasn’t one of my finer moments.
Kalani: We all have those moments. I couldn’t hold you to that one.
Wade: I appreciate it.
Dub takes a sip of his drink, feeling his shoulders loosen as the wine warms his throat.
Kalani: So, tell me more about your trip. I see you got a nice little tan.
Dub’s stomach sinks as he thinks about his trip to Tomarang. In his messages to Kalani, he never mentioned that his trip ended early, leaving her to assume he stayed for the full three days.
Wade: It started nice, but the next morning I had to rush back to Henford because my father passed away.
Kalani gasps softly.
Kalani: Oh, Dub. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.
Wade: It’s okay. I should have told you. It’s one of those things. I take solace because my dad lived a long, fulfilling life, and I got to spend a lot of time with him.
Kalani: That’s a great way to think of it.
Wade: I try to stay positive, but it’s not always easy. How have you been?
Kalani: Good. Work has kept me busy. We just got a contract with a real estate agency to decorate all of their model homes.
Wade: You ready to start that SimTube channel yet?
Kalani: It’s actually on my goal list for the New Year. I’ll definitely be asking for your influencer expertise.
Kalani pauses and glances over at the buffet set up in the corner.
Kalani: Oh, I hear the food here is good. Are you hungry?
Wade: I can always eat.
Dub and Kalani pause their conversation long enough to grab food and return to the bar to eat, along with a second glass of wine.
As the bistro fills up with customers, Dub and Kalani finish their dinner and pick up their conversation outside.
Kalani: I almost forgot.
She reaches for her bag and pulls out the bottle of strawberry nectar that Dub gave her when they first met.
Kalani: I was saving this for when we got together again.
Wade: So, you did plan on seeing me again?
Kalani: I hoped to.
That makes Dub feel a lot better, but he still has one concern.
Wade: I wanted to ask you about our age difference. I’m ten years older than you. Does that bother you?
Kalani: There’s an eight-year age difference between my parents, and they’re still together and going strong, so I don’t see a problem.
A two-parent household. The more Dub hears about Kalani, the more he likes her.
Kalani: What about your parents? Were they still together before… you know?
Wade: Yeah, they met in college and were together until the end. My mom passed, gosh, it’s been about a year now.
Kalani: Until death did them part?
It’s more of a statement than a question, but Dub never thought to put it into those words. It softens something in him.
Wade: Exactly. Relationship goals. There’s just something beautiful about having someone to grow old with.
Dub suddenly realizes something.
Wade: This is the first time I’ve been able to talk about them without tearing up. You make it… easier somehow. I appreciate that.
Kalani: That’s nice to hear.
Kalani: Okay, I have a question that’s been on my mind for a while.
Wade: Ask away.
Kalani: When you first walked out, while we were on the dating show, you said you had your eye on me the entire time. What was it about me?
Dub searches his mind for a way to express what he felt when he first saw Kalani.
Wade: Other than the fact that you’re beautiful?
Kalani: Thank you, but all the women were beautiful on that set. Why me?
She’s right, and he found several of them attractive. Dub digs deeper.
Wade: I mentioned on the show that I was looking for a little sunshine at the end of a long day.
Kalani: Yeah, I remember.
Wade: Well, that’s what I felt when I saw you. You know I’m divorced, and going through that, moving away from my daughter was one of the toughest things I had to go through. But when I stepped out on that set and saw you standing there, it felt like I was staring at a new beginning. You’re beautiful inside and out. Your energy radiates around you. Seeing you makes me happy. I knew you were someone who could make me feel something real again.
Kalani pauses and stares for a moment. Her eyes flash with emotion.
Kalani: That’s probably the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard a guy say to me.
Wade: It’s what I felt then, and being here with you now just reinforces it.
Dub and Kalani leave their table to return to the bistro, but Dub pauses and pulls out a rose before they make it to the door.
Kalani: Aww, my favorite. You never fail to surprise me.
Wade: So, you like surprises?
Kalani: Love them. It’s the little things that can brighten an entire day.
Wade: I believe that, too. But now it’s my turn to ask you a question.
Kalani: Okay, go for it.
Wade: I like this. I like you, a lot. And I wondered if you’d be interested in continuing to pursue a relationship with me. Do you feel like there’s anything between us?
Kalani: Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?
Wade: I think I might be a bit old to put it into those words. But I’m interested in continuing to see you, and I’m not interested in seeing anyone else.
Kalani does the cute nose wrinkle that Dub is quickly becoming fond of.
Kalani: I’m not interested in seeing anyone else either.
Dub has to physically stop himself from celebrating her response with a fist pump.
Back inside, Kalani grabs another drink and sits next to Dub in a quiet corner of the bistro. Dub asks if she has any siblings, and she reveals that she’s the oldest of two sisters.
Wade: No way. I have two younger brothers. Do you want a big family one day?
Kalani: Not necessarily. One child would be okay with me, and if it doesn’t happen, then that just gives me more time to travel.
Wade: Travel is big on my list, too. At least it was, but life sort of led me down another road. It’s still high on my list. It would be nice to have someone special to travel with.
Kalani is practically bouncing in her seat.
Kalani: Okay, on the count of three, we both tell one another our dream vacation destination. One! Two! Three!
Kalani: Mt. Komorebi!
Wade: Sulani!
They laugh at how different their choices are.
Wade: I grew up in Henford, so I’ve had my fill of snow, but I’d go anywhere with you.
Kalani laughs and scoots closer.
Kalani: Sulani is actually a great choice. I just bought a new bikini that’s begging to be seen.
Dub wraps his arms around Kalani, thinking about how much he wants to see that bikini.
Wade: Maybe we could do both one day. I could bear the cold with you by my side.
Kalani leans in closer and turns to face him.
Kalani: By your side, huh?
Wade: Yeah, because you’ve ruined everything. Travel just wouldn’t be the same without you now.
Kalani is so close that Dub can feel her breath on his cheek. His gaze drops from her eyes to her lips, wondering what her lip gloss tastes like. Kalani seems to be on the same page. She takes the lead and leans in, closing the distance. The bistro fades around them, leaving them in their own little pocket as their initial timid kisses grow more hungry and needy.
Suddenly aware that they are in a very public place, Kalani pulls back.
Kalani: I think I’m too tired and tipsy to drive home tonight.
Dub glances up at a clock on the wall.
Wade: Yeah, it is a little late.
Kalani: Way past my bedtime.
Kalani leaves her seat and starts walking toward the lobby of the inn.
Dub doesn’t want to assume anything that might lead to disappointment. Kalani hasn’t had issues taking the lead before, so he hopes she keeps that momentum going, because he does not want this night to end. He watches as she walks past the check‑in desk and makes her way toward the stairs. Did she already have a room reserved?
He tests the waters.
Wade: So, I guess this is goodbye then?
Kalani: Or you can keep me company.
Kalani’s words are music to Dub’s ears. He tries his best to slow his heart rate and avoid taking the stairs two at a time as he follows her up. He’s staring at her back, fighting the urge to let his eyes wander.
At the landing, she turns to him, smiling. Her expression says everything he needs to hear, although she doesn’t speak a word. She wrinkles her nose again and laces her fingers through his. The warmth of her touch sends sparks he hasn’t felt in a long time. Kalani unlocks the door to the room.
Dub pauses before entering and takes two deep breaths, reminding himself that there’s no need to rush anything. He smiles and finally steps into the room, happy that he and Kalani are heading in the same direction.
Note: Kalani was created by ladybugsimblr (on Tumblr)
French Bistro, Inn, and Pool available here: WordPress | Tumblr | Tray Files (free on Kofi)
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
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