“What’s wrong, Sticks?” Tate said gently, his expression softening for her. “I wanted you to have something really warm because we’re supposed to get a dusting of snow.”
“It’s lovely, but… this is a bit much.”
“Not for my girl,” he murmured and nodded. “Turn around.”
“Tate…”
“You look ravishing,” he whispered against her shoulder, lips brushing her throat as he slipped the coat onto her arms witha reverence that made her tremble. “You always shine like a diamond, and seeing you like this is everything.”
Her eyes stung, and she was glad she’d skipped the mascara. When she dared to turn, expecting him to tease, she found only warmth in his gaze. A tender smile curved his lips as his eyes held hers.
“Beautiful,” he breathed. And shefeltit. Not just the word, but the belief behind it, flooding through her like sunlight. “Shall we?”
He held out his hand to her, smiling.
Awkward but willing, she slid her fingers into his. Memories of their first handhold surged back—the hesitation, the thrill, the quiet certainty that something important had shifted between them. Tonight felt like that again, magnified.
He walked her to the limo with deliberate grace, steady, protective. His focus didn’t waver from her, dark and intense, until they reached the gleaming car. Edwin opened the door. Tate gestured for her to enter first.
The moment Nettie slid into the plush seat, her mouth fell open. Rose petals scattered across the dark leather interior like a secret garden had bloomed just for her. Crystal flutes sparkled with golden liquid, fizzing gently on polished wood. The air smelled faintly of roses and champagne. Her throat tightened.
Tate joined her, closing them in a cocoon of quiet luxury. He picked up the glasses, handed her one, and lifted his in a silent toast. The crystal sang with a clear “ting” as they touched, and it vibrated straight into her heart.
“You weren’t kidding,” she breathed.
“With you – never,” His voice was velvet. “To all the ships – friendship, relationship, partnerships, and more…”
“More?” she whispered tearfully, overcome with emotion at the show he was putting on for her sake. It was all so much, andher heart was beating wildly in her chest at the soft smile that seemed to be always present when he was around her now.
“There’s got to be more out there because eternity isn’t long enough to discover what life with you would be like,” he began and paused. “You make me happy, Sticks, and I’m really growing to enjoy this feeling.”
Her brain short-circuited.
Omigosh. Omigosh.
She swallowed as the car began to roll forward, nearly spilling her drink as her mind exploded with so many thoughts. Was he about to say the ‘L-word’? Was this just a first date with them? Was every date going to be like this? They’d been out so many times, but he seemed to be trying so hard, putting his all into this – whatever this was – and what if he proposed?
She had been mid-sip when that thought caused her to inhale the champagne, resulting in her coughing madly and nearly spraying the golden fluid in his face. Somehow she managed to keep it down, sputtering and choking, while Tate patted her back, looking concerned.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she strangled out, nodding as the tip of her nose felt like she’d inhaled water from the swimming pool, and her sinuses were eerily popping from the champagne bubbles. All she could smell was grapes and fizz – if a person could actually smell fizz.
“Nettie?”
“Yeah?”
“Relax,” he said knowingly and laced his fingers with hers. “We both can’t be on the edge of a panic attack, or we won’t have a nice time.”
“You’re nervous?”
“Very,” Tate admitted in a hushed voice. “I want to make a heckuva impression on the girl that has taken over my world.What happens if you decide you’re tired of me or you’d like someone a little more romantic?”
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
“I’m glad you believe that.”
“Tate?”
