“Yeah. Maybe I can ask my landlord to put one in.”
Her soft giggle hits me. “I’m sure she’ll be agreeable to that. She likes you a lot.”
We slept in the next morning, a rare luxury for both of us. I woke up first, around eight, and Mila was still unconscious, curled up against me for another hour.
Mila has been at the hotel spa for the last few hours, hopefully relaxing and enjoying being pampered for once. The surprise written on her face when I walked her down and left her at the spa entrance this morning was perfect. I could tell she never had someone do this kind of thing for her before. And it makes me so fucking happy that I get to be the one to do it.
I spent the time doing my own version of relaxing, which meant a run, and then a session in the steam room before spending an hour out on our small balcony enjoying the view. This level of contented peace is unfamiliar to me, but welcome. Everything feels right in the world, as if it has all played out exactly the way it was meant to.
The hotel room door opens, and I turn to see a blissed-out Mila walk in. She drops her key card on the table, then walks over to where I’m sitting before dropping into my lap and kissing me.
“That was…The. Best. Thing. Ever.” She punctuates every word with another kiss as I grin against her lips.
“Which part?”
“All of it! My skin has never felt so soft, my muscles are so relaxed, and look!” She points down at her feet, where her toes are painted a bright pink. “I think spa days should be mandatory for every woman. At least twice a year.”
“Done,” I say automatically. “But twice a year doesn’t seem often enough. You work hard, you deserve to be pampered.” My hand taps her ass lightly. “But now we gotta get going. Put on something sexy, babe. We’re going out.”
She jumps up with way too much energy, her excitement adorable. “Where are we going? Seriously, you need to stop spoiling me!”
I shake my head, grinning as I walk over to the closet where I’ve got a linen shirt and some khakis hanging up. I don’t miss her appreciative stare when I take off my shorts and T-shirt.
“Think again, beautiful girl. We’re getting picked up in half an hour. So get those dirty thoughts out of your head and start getting dressed.”
Two hours, three wineries, and countless tastings later, we’re enjoying a charcuterie picnic overlooking one of the vineyards. Everything has been perfect. We’ve got a case almost full of our favourite bottles from each winery. Mila hasn’t stopped smiling, and neither have I.
She’s leaning against me, sitting between my legs on the blanket set out on the grass for us. The late afternoon sun is warm on our skin, and her hair smells like sunshine. It’s now or never. There will never be a more perfect moment to tell her how I feel.
“I know I’ve said this a hundred times, but thank you for bringing me here.” She tips her head back to look at me. “For all of it. This has been the most magical weekend.”
I lean down and kiss her.
“Jackson,” she murmurs against my lips.
“Mmm?” I say, still psyching myself up to just say the three little words I want to say.
“I love you.”
My head snaps back. “What? No! I was going to say it first.”
Mila just laughs. “It’s not a race, silly.” Her hand lifts mine up in the air, and she stares at our fingers that are tangled together. “But you could still say it.”
Whoops.
“I love you, Mila. Seriously, I was about to say it. I love you so damn much, sometimes it’s hard to believe that a few months ago I was so determined to avoid all relationships completely. But here we are. You’re in my heart, you’re a part of me, and I couldn’t be happier.”
She turns in my lap to face me, lacing her fingers behind my neck. I press a kiss to a tear that is threatening to fall from her eye.
“Nice save.” The words come out tremulous, but she’s smiling.
“I love you, Mila Monroe.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat interrupts us, and I look up to see the older gentleman who’s been driving us around standing nearby.
“Alrighty, I hope you enjoyed your meal, but it’s time for us to move on to the next winery.” He must sense that he’s interrupting something significant because he takes a step back. “Right. Sorry. I’ll just meet you at the car. Take your time.”
He backs away rapidly and I realize Mila is shaking with silent laughter, her head buried in my neck.
