A small box.
My hand wraps around the velvety surface as I pull it out from the drawer. I set my phone down on top of the dresser while Addie continues to talk. My finger grazes around the edge, feeling the fuzz-like material against my skin.
I’m just about to open it when I hear Addie break through this trance.
“Rowan are you still there?” she asks.
I close my eyes for a moment before opening them and tucking away the jewelry box back in its place where it’s been sitting for ten years.
I clear my throat. “Yeah, sorry. You don’t think that would look too dorky?”
“Rowan, you're a dork to begin with. Plus, there’s not much to work with when it comes to your wardrobe.”
“Ouch. All right.”
“Now get dressed, do your hair, and pick up your dream girl. You’re already running late.”
“You don’t even know what time I made the reservation for.”
“It’s already six o’clock, so I can only assume your reservation is between seven-thirty and eight.”
“Creep.”
“You know you love me.”
twenty-six
ELLIE
I lookat the restaurant in awe when we pull up to the valet. The exterior exudes old-school Hollywood glamor, giving a 1930s feel. If the outside makes it feel sophisticated, I can only imagine what it will feel like once we step inside.
“How did you even get a reservation? I heard this place has been booked for months.” I look at him and feel my body get a warm and fuzzy feeling inside.
He looks so handsome tonight. I haven’t seen him dress up to this extent in a long time. He’s usually in a T-shirt and jeans. I like that the casual button-up he’s wearing is short-sleeved. I always love having a chance to admire his tattoos. Especially the ladybug.
“I know the owner,” he replies, looking at me before he puts the car in park.
“No shit?” I look back to the beautiful vine-covered building. “Wow.”
He shrugs. “He owed me a favor.”
“Keep the favors coming,” I mutter.
We walk into the dimly lit restaurant. The low chatter amongst the guests and the sound of clinking glasses fills the space. Rowan walks confidently to the host stand, one hand in his pocket, and his ass? Phenomenal.
I look around and admire the deep forest green painted walls scattered with old Hollywood photos. Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Al Pacino hang behind the host stand. I find myself walking toward him, still looking at the details of the lights that hang throughout the space. The mood lighting is perfect enough to feel romantic.
Romantic.Nota casual restaurant that friends would go to for dinner.
“I didn’t get to tell you how beautiful you look tonight,” Rowan says, his eyes wandering my dress.
“Thanks,” I say shyly.
Okay… Maybe this is a date.
I wanted to wear something simple but cute. Not too sexy and not too revealing. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea and make him feel uncomfortable. However, this was the perfect excuse to buy myself something new, which I haven’t done in some time, considering Iwasin my chef uniform most of the time.
The draped, dark red, A-line dress hugs my figure in all the right spots. The silky material glides on my skin like water. The thin straps make a crisscross on my back, and I can feel the cool breeze in the restaurant brush against my skin. The black, strappy heels give me an extra three inches. Still nowhere near close to be eye level with Rowan.
