I step closer, and she does the same. I brush hair from her shoulder, my fingertips scorching with every second I run over her skin. “As usual, you look stunning.”
Not expecting her to reach her hand to my face, she slides her thumb over my bottom lip. “You look handsome tonight. Your blue polo.” She stifles a laugh. “Brings out those crystal blue eyes of yours.”
Leaning down, I kiss her cheek. “Why don’t we get out of here?”
She grabs the doorknob and shuts the door. Hand in hand, we stroll to the car.
“You up for a longer-than-usual ride to a restaurant I’ve been dying to try?” I sneak a glance at her as I pull onto the road.
“I’m up for whatever you have planned.” She takes my hand and holds it, gently squeezing.
We talk all the way there as she tells me all about girls’ night at Kendall’s. Her voice is full of excitement. The image of her lying on a unicorn float in her pink bikini may have distracted me for a bit as she talked about the food, pool, and fun they all had.
Then she tells me how she felt hanging out with them the other night. “It’s nice of them to accept me into their friend group.” She lets out a sigh and quietly hums.
As I glance at her, she’s looking out her window, lost in her thoughts. “Are you okay, sweetheart?” I bring her hand up to my lips and kiss the back of it. That gets her attention back onto me.
“It just feels really good. I love my sister, but it’s nice to have a few more friends here. I don’t see my best friend, Lia, very often, as we aren’t always at the same events.” She glances out the windshield. “It can be lonely being on the road, as much as it’s adventurous and fun, there have been more times than not in the last year that I was lonely. Drowning myself in keeping busy and having fun, it’s how I’ve gotten by. There’s been a lot of signs saying‘you should stay,’but there’s always something that’s called to me louder. Or maybe it’s a distraction so I don’t have to commit. It can be a bit scary to think about.”
Those words…It’s all I can do to kiss her with a quick peck on her cheek. “I remember you saying you were lonely when you were gone.” My lips meet the back of her hand as I whisper, “I might be biased, but I want you to stay.”
She gazes at me with her hazel eyes, and if we weren’t driving, I’d hold her. I never want her to be lonely ever again. Shifting in her seat, she leans over and whispers, “Just a little.” And kisses my cheek.
The ride settles into a quiet hum with the background music playing softly. We arrive atTemazcal Tequila Cantina, her mouth opens, and then closes. Gathering herself, she says, “I’ve heard amazing reviews about this place. Oh, the lobster guacamole…people are raving about it.” As we wait for the valet, her bright eyes are on me. “You’re spoiling me.”
My hands cup her face and pull her in for a kiss. Those soft, plump lips fit with mine. “You deserve to be spoiled every day,” I whisper against her lips. With her breath hitching and her eyes searching mine to be sure I mean it. I’d spoil her every day of the week if she’d give us a chance. This date is one step in that direction, so I’m holding tightly onto it and her.
One more kiss for good measure. “Let’s see what everyone’s been raving about.” I release her slowly, eager to have my hands back on her. I toss the keys to the valet and whip around the car to encircle her waist. We walk hand in hand into the restaurant.
The wood floors span the entire restaurant, which has ornate light fixtures. There’s a mix of tables with chairs and booths that line the wall. Shelves and paintings hang on walls that mix oranges, yellows, golds, and textures.
The hostess brings us out to the patio, and the view is breathtaking. Ava’s feet stall, staring out onto the Boston Harbor, the sun high in the sky. Out here, the tables scatter across the space, with dark wicker-like chairs, glass tables, and a view that will never get old. I thought looking out my massive windows onto Mirror Lake was picture-worthy, and it is. This view is on a whole different level with the ocean, the horizon, and the boats. It’s a perfect way to show her I’m waiting for her to step into my arms…forever.
“Your server will be here shortly,” the hostess says, leaving menus on the table, then turns and walks away.
I pull out the chair for her as she sits down. I round the table and sit across from her this time. At least it will keep my hands to myself…maybe.
“You know how to pick all the good restaurants.” She glances over the menu.
I slide my hand over the glass table toward her. Hoping she’ll meet me halfway, and she does. The pads of my thumbs press tightly against her, sweeping over her smooth, olive skin.
“Only the best for you, sweetheart.” I swallow hard as my heart picks up pace whenever we’re together—I know she’s the one for me. I knew the minute I handed her the lemonade at the cookout a few months ago. The way her body stiffened the moment our fingers slid over each other. She felt it too, but her tendency to run away got the better of her back then. For me, the thrill that ran through me in that moment was nothing I’ve ever felt.
As we sit across the table from each other, I want that physical connection with her. Holding her hand is enough for me; it’s everything.
She leans in and whispers, “I told you not to spoil me, and you bring me here…did you not hear me?”
I mirror her and lean in, whispering. “I heard you, but I’m not listening…I’ll spoil you all the time, every day, no matter what.” I reiterate to her, laying it on the table—literally and figuratively.
Backing down, she straightens her posture and reads the menu—or fakes it, like she’s trying to ignore what I said. But that grin on her face is giving her away.
Our server comes over, brings water, and asks if we want an appetizer and drinks. “Yes, she’ll have a margarita.” I don’t want to speak for Ava, but I glance over at her and nod.
She says, “Yes, thank you.”
I finish the order with a whiskey and Coke, crispy calamari, and the lobster guacamole, which has rave reviews.
Holding out the drink menu, her eyebrows shoot up. “They have tequila flights.”
