“So?” He smirks.
“Katherine’s Diner?” I ask through a smile.
He has a boyish grin that makes his nose scrunch up. He barely ever smiles like that, even before.Thatsmile is reserved for things that feel like a first trip to Disney for him. Our first trip to Disney that we always planned.
Damn him for being so fucking cute.
Christian gets out of the car first and is instantly at my door, opening it for me and holding out his hand.
“Katherine’s Diner,” Christian says as I step out of the low car. “Our first date.”
“It’s a restaurant,” I tease, crossing my arms and leaning against the McLaren. “And it looks closed. All the lights are off.”
He sighs, smiling, and puts his hands on either side of me. He pins me with his eyes on mine, flitting them to my lips every so often. “It’s adiner. And trust me, it isn’t closed.”
I love it. I love him. I love this. I love us.
He’s brought me back to the place we had our first date and he’s dressed up for it. He is wearing navy pants, his fancyshoes, and a white button up, the top buttons undone, with his sleeves rolled up his forearms.
He is so fucking gorgeous, it’s quite unfair.
I’m here in jeans, sandals, and an off the shoulder floral top. But the way he is looking at me right now, I feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
Christian’s smile is contagious, so I match his expression. “Fine.”
He holds out his hand again. “So? Can I take you on a date, Lana Aurora Gomez?”
I drag my lip back and forth between my teeth and nod, slipping my hand into his, our fingers naturally twining together.
“You owe me a lot of milkshakes,” I say quietly.
“I’ll give you a lifetime of milkshakes,” he says, and then kisses my temple.
CHAPTER 14
Christian
Iopen the door of Katherine’s Diner and allow her to step in first. The lights are low but it’s easy for me to find our usual booth in the back corner of the diner with the candles and table cloth.
Katherine’s Diner is upscale—always has been for us. A special place to laugh and sit for hours. A place we came to do homework on a day off or grab comfort food whenever Lana got her period. A place we came to occasionally celebrate birthdays and Valentines Day.
It was our place for the biggest parts of our lives. Other than anywhere with her, this is my second favorite place.
“Christian,” she breathes. She turns to face me and slings her arms around my neck. “Did you…”
“I might have paid to have the diner to ourselves,” I say, my hands on her hips.
“Christian.” Her eyes well with tears.
I smile and kiss her cheek. “It wasn’t a big deal. Katherine was very supportive of it. I’m pretty sure she overchargedbut?—”
Lana snorts. “Christian.”
“It’s worth it,” I say. “Everything for you is worth it. Look.”
I turn her with my hands on her hips and pull her back into my chest. I know she sees our usual booth with the candles and a singular sunflower in a glass.
“That’s…” Lana turns in my arms again. “That’s our booth.”
