“Oh, for the love of—” She stops mid-sentence, then goes over to the maitre d’and whispers to them. Whitney returns to me with a white paint pen and slaps it in my palm a little too forcefully. I give her a grin.
“Thank you.”
Walking over to the wall, I uncap the pen and start scribbling. Whitney stands at my side, peeking over my shoulder to see what I’m writing. When I’m finished, I recap the pen and look at her, waiting for her approval.
W + T
First Date at Gino’s
“You didn’t tell me you were such a sap,” Whitney says, nudging my shoulder. She’s teasing me, but I can see how my little note makes her eyes glitter in a way they haven’t before.
My chest feels full as I wrap my arms around her shoulder. We drop off the pen before walking outside of the busyrestaurant.
“How do you know we’re meant to be?” she asks as she wraps her arm around my waist, holding onto me just as tightly as I am to her. We stop in the middle of the sidewalk outside the front doors. “Maybe this is just a fling.”
“Maybe,” I say, though I don’t believe that one bit. “But even then, I think we were meant to find each other. I don’t think people who aren’t meant to be around each other feel this way.”
Whitney stares thoughtfully at me, and I’d give anything to know what she’s thinking right now. Finally, she stands up on her tiptoes and kisses the side of my mouth. I catch her around her waist with one hand and hold her close to me.
When she pulls away from me, her eyes are glassy. Her full lips rise into a smile, and she whispers, “I think you’re right.”
Whitney
My alarm blares,waking me up from my dream. I blink a few times before shutting it off and checking the time.
Shit.
It’s already five o’clock. I meant to get up at four-thirty, but I must’ve hit the snooze button one too many times.
Tossing the covers back, I fly out of bed and into my bathroom. My hands grapple with the shower handle, turning it to the exact spot where I know the water will be perfect. I shower quickly, hop out, and dress in the clothes I set out last night.
I give my hair a quick blow-dry and dab on some light makeup. I’ll be in Theo’s jet most of the morning, so I don’t spend too much time on my outward appearance. Hopefully, we’ll have plenty of time to rest and freshen up in the hotel before appearing at the gala. I’ll worry about the smaller details of my makeup routine then.
Thankfully, I packed just about everything I needed for our short trip last night. Tossing the final things in—like my toothbrush and retainers—I grab my overnight bag and hurry down to the lobby of my apartment building.
I immediately catch sight of the car waiting for me and curse under my breath. Running my hands over my hair to smooth any potential strays, I walk out the front doors and onto the sidewalk.
“Hey, you ready?” Theo asks when I step outside. Of course, he’s got his phone in his hand, but his attention is only on me. Those warm, brown eyes widen as soon as I’m in front of him, and he looks me over appreciatively.
I can’t deny that that fact makes my stomach flutter a little. I’ve never seen someone’s face light up the way his does when he sees me. It’s something I’ve always dreamed I’d get to experience, that utter joy in having me around. I know Leila loves hanging out with me, and Mr. Peterson always liked my presence. But with Theo, everything feels amplified. Every day it seems that he is just as happy to see me as the last.
“Ready, Freddy,” I respond and instantly regret it. Why, oh, why did I say that?
A smirk forms on his face, and he laughs under his breath before exiting the car and reaching for my suitcase. We’ll only be gone for the weekend, but we have a few important events, so I had to pack a few extra things so I’ll be presentable.
“You make me laugh, Whit,” he says, winking. “I got this. Go ahead and get settled.”
I do what he says and slide into the back seat of his car. His driver catches my eye in the rearview window and greets me. I’ve never met this driver before. Maybe since it’s so early and outside his usual business hours, Theo had to get someone other than his regular driver, Tod.
The trunk slams shut, and then Theo slides in next to me. He gives me a wide grin before instructing the driver that we’re all set. Theo taps at his phone screen as soon as the car is in motion.
I peek out of my peripheral vision to watch him sign offon an email and tap send. The familiarwooshingsound of the email app goes off, then Theo clicks the lock button on his phone and turns his attention back to me.
“Kinda early, huh?” he says, like an icebreaker. “Have you eaten?”
“No, I accidentally slept through my first alarm, so I didn’t have time to grab anything.”
“The jet should have full service, so we can get you some coffee and breakfast once we board,” Theo says, offering me a polite smile. “Thank you again for coming with me. I can’t imagine anyone else I’d like next to me tonight.”
