A small squeal of delight escapes me. “Oh! How fantastic!”
Excitement thrums through me. We are going to get Laurie back before he is given to anyone, and Jade is going to be able to come home. Which means Red and Brodie will be able to as well. It is all perfect.
“We should celebrate,” says Monty with a mischievous sparkle in his sapphire eyes.
I grin in return. “What did you have in mind?”
He chuckles warmly. “I know a lovely restaurant just around the corner.”
That does sound nice, and even if it didn’t, I’m more than happy to play along. “Just you and me?”
“Yes!” Monty exclaims exuberantly
“Like a date?” I tease.
“Exactly like a date,” he beams.
We laugh in unison, and he starts the engine. My heart is racing. I hope we are still doing our daft little script when we are seventy. It means the world to me. A silly little thing that no one else would understand, because it is just for us. Monty and I. A secret love language.
We drive for a few minutes, and then Monty spots a parking space on the road. He reverses into it with a skill that is strangely hot.
We get out of the car and Monty takes my hand. As soon as I see the fancy restaurant, I freeze in my tracks.
“I’m not dressed up,” I whisper.
“You always look beautiful,” says Monty. “The first time I saw you, you were wearing Crocs and I was still utterly smitten.”
The snort laugh that escapes me is not at all alluring, but Monty smiles as if it is.
We walk into the restaurant and the maitre greets us as if expecting us and immediately whisks us to a lovely table, set alone in the curve of a gorgeous bay window. The restaurant is on the top of a hill, so the view is dazzling. All the sparkling lights of a city at night.
The lighting inside the establishment is dim. It’s mostly from collections of candles flickering softly in the center of the tables.
In the corner, a pianist is playing on a very well polished grand piano. The gentle sound glides through the air, soothing and calming.
The other patrons are seated far enough away that it feels private and intimate.
All in all, it is a lovely restaurant. Special, without being intimidating or stuffy. Monty really does know all the best places.
I sigh happily and settle in for a delightful evening. I ask Monty to order for me and he is very happy to oblige.
The food, when it arrives, is sublime. The courses are served swiftly and unobtrusively. Allowing Monty and I to bask in each other’s company seamlessly. The only interruption is when Monty pops to the loo. But he isn’t gone for long and our evening resumes. Our conversation flows and my soul swells with joy. This evening is turning out to be magical.
After dessert, two waiters approach our table. Champagne for Monty, and a very fancy, lemonade-inspired soft drink for me. The thoughtfulness swells my soul even more.
Our drinks are poured with a flourish into beautiful flute glasses, and then we are left alone again once more.
“Cheers!” says Monty as he holds his glass aloft.
Grinning, I clink my glass against his. “Cheers!”
As I take a sip, something metal touches my lips. I put my drink down and stare at it in confusion. There is a ring in my glass.
I fish it out and look at it. It’s beautiful. Silver and set with a multitude of very dark amber gemstones.
“It’s Baltic amber,” says Monty. “The color reminds me of your eyes.”
I’m still bewildered. I look up at Monty and startle at the sight of him. Why is he so nervous? He is practically sweating.
