Her mouth dropped open in surprise. “Jack!” she whined. “Please tell me we aren’t doing something like a couple’s massage.”
I laughed. “No, obviously not.” I hummed. “Wish I would’ve thought of that.”
She smirked in irritation again. Soft country tunes played on the truck radio. I wasn’t a huge fan of country, but Miranda was a Nashville girl and lived for it.
We finally hit a gravel drive and she corrected her posture. “Where the heck?”
“Chill.”
Two minutes later, I put the truck in park. “You have to keep that thing on. I’m not ready.”
I slammed the door before she could answer and grabbed the stuff I needed out of the truck bed. Last time, I was more prepared and did this ahead of time.
Went as fast as my feet could take me. Pulled plastic wrap off the tray, set out a few blankets, strung some twinkle lights over the canopy, and set out our wine glasses. The whole scene was less perfect than the first time I brought her out here, but it would have to do.
I went back to the truck. As soon as I opened the door, herprotests filled the night.
“Did you cheat?” I demanded.
“No, but I’m about to.” She lifted her hands to the blindfold and I swatted them down.
I chuckled and leaned in to unbuckle her. Then, without waiting for permission, I scooped her up into my arms. Shut the truck door with my foot.
She squirmed for a few moments, whining again, but quickly settled against me as I walked, her hand stilling against my chest. I looked down at her.
She was biting that bottom lip again.
At the top of the dock, I set her down and moved to untie her blindfold. She took in the sight and immediately turned back to me. Her voice was a gentle chide. “Jack, this is…”
She let her words trail off.
It was a recreation of the night I proposed to her. The night she told me she was expecting the first time. I knew it was a lot. The setting sun made the spot romantic. And the whole set up was a nod to our beginnings.
This could be a new beginning. But I didn’t verbalize that.
I pushed her down the dock as it swayed under our feet. “Come on. Don’t make it weird.”
“This is beautiful.”
“Yeah, nice spot. I’m still buddies with the guy who owns the property.”
“That’s cool.”
I made the dock as cozy as I could. A few blankets, two throw pillows, one charcuterie tray in the middle. She eased herself down onto the blanket. Any discomfort she felt would fade in a matter of minutes. We would do what we always did—have an incredible time together.
“Oh! Is this what we’re having for dinner?” Her voice was shrill with excitement.
“Yep.”
“That looks so good!”
She settled onto the blanket next to the board. I sat on the opposite side.
She looked up at me and our gazes tangled, a beat of awkwardness setting in. Last time we were here, we’d made out in the lake and took things all the way in my truck bed after. Hopefully, that memory wouldn’t cause her to clam up.
“I know this is too much. But I just wanted to spend a quiet evening with you.”
“It’s sweet, Jack. Thank you.”
