"Alec...the date." Tears glisten in my eyes. "You didn't have to do this," I say the words even though I'm so fucking grateful for the incredibly thoughtful gesture.
"Cora." Alec turns toward me, cupping my cheeks in his hands. "I want you to know how much I love you. How much you've changed my life. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you. Truly. I will promise you many things but let me promise you this...I will nevereverstop taking you on dates." Alec leans in close, his cedar cologne lingering between us. He rubs his nose against mine. "Even when we're grey and old, babe."
I kiss Alec's lips before I full-on cry and melt into his embrace.
He fumbles with something in his pocket, a second later, a soft piano melody playing from some random speaker system. Alec breaks away and holds out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
I grin at him and slip my hand in his. "Always."
We dance close, my head resting on his chest, his heartbeat singing a sweet lullaby. He holds me, and for a fleeting moment, I forget about everything other than us. But that's all it is, a temporary reminder that there's still one thing hanging in the balance I've been too afraid to bring up.
Alec kisses my forehead and guides us over to a small table with two covered trays on top. "I was going to hire a private chef...but then I thought...that's not very Cora."
He pulls out the chair and pushes it in when I sit down, going so far as to grab the cloth napkin and set it in my lap.
"I present to you..." Alec grabs onto the handle of the domed cover and reveals two slices of pizza with pepperoni and pineapple.
A laugh slips out of me, and I clutch my hands to my chest. "This is perfect." I sniffle and smile up at him. "You're perfect."
"And because I know you..." Alec reaches into a silver canister and pulls out a jug of Sprite. He pours some in one of my cups and fills another with water. "I also brought you this."
"Is that what I think it is?" I take in the familiar cup as he turns around the logo.
There's something special about the twinkle in his eye that makes me want to hold onto this memory for the rest of my life.
"Your favorite." He pushes the iced vanilla latte toward me. It's hands down the best coffee in town, if you don't count the at-home versions. Those are made with love, so obviously they top all the others.
"Just don't tell June I betrayed her by going somewhere other than Bram's for coffee," I say even though I'm certain the secret is safe with him.
"She's going to find out sooner or later." Alec pulls out another bottle. "And bourbon, just in case."
"You know..." I drink some of the heavenly coffee. "I once thought three drinks was plenty, but I think you're right. Fourth really is the charm."
Alec grins and pours me two fingers of the bourbon before settling into his seat and doing the same for himself. When he's done, he puts his hands in his lap and sort of stares at me with an expectant look on his handsome face.
"Everything is perfect, Alec. These decorations, the thoughtfulness, this night...you." I reach across the table and take his hand in mine. "Thank you. Seriously. I mean it."
Alec squeezes my hand back and for another fleeting moment, everything is right in the world.
"Can I ask you something?" The words slip out of my mouth before I've had time to reel them in. I guess they had to come out sooner rather than later, but here's to hoping they didn't completely ruin our perfect evening.
"Yeah, of course. What's up?" Alec's expression shifts and I hate that I'm the cause of it.
Why couldn't I have waited until the night was over or kept my mouth shut for all of eternity?
"Well," I start. "I was wondering about...New York."
Alec blinks a few times and I wonder if this is where he comes up with some sort of lie or cover-up to hide the truth. "What?"
"Your job offer, in New York?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You don't have to lie about it, Alec. Simon told me."
At first, his face is tight, but the moment I mention Simon, he breaks into a smile and leans back. "Oh my God, Cora." He holds his hand to his chest. "You seriously had me worried there."
He chuckles but I don't find it at all funny.
