Simon can’t stop looking over at you in his passenger seat, even though the main attraction of this date was intended to be the streets upon streets of houses with elaborate Christmas decor in their yards and lights that make you question the depth of their wallets. He decides that while you enjoy the lights, he’ll enjoy his soaring glances between you and the road ahead of him, the crawling speed of 15 miles an hour enough to give him a few seconds in between.

You’ve hardly touched the drink he bought you that’s still sitting in the cup holder, but as his thumb rubs back and forth gently along the top of your thigh, he can’t find it within himself to care. He can and will probably just buy you another one anyway. Any excuse to open his wallet on his girlfriend’s behalf is a good one. He may spoil you year round, but you deserve every bit of it. He hopes he’ll never have to stop.

“They’re pretty, huh? I remember you mentioning wanting to go and see them as a group but… I dunno. Wanted it to be a special date and all.” He says softly, not wanting to break your immersion in the world of Christmas decor that you’re experiencing while he watches you.

“You hungry? We can always stop and eat something. The nights still young and I’ve got a lineup of neighborhoods—and a surprise at the end of the day. What’re you up for?” He asks fondly.

Of course there are layers to this date, would it really be something he planned if there weren’t? He knows how to keep you excited for every single one without fail because he knows you. How could he deny himself that excited sparkle in your eye? If you ask he’ll just give you the same answer already on the tip of the tongue; the lights are prettier reflected in your eyes.

He hopes you’ll forgive him for not letting you help decorate the outside of the house. When you see it he’s sure you’ll understand why, but until then he’ll have to wait.