"That's what I thought." He raised his glass. "To absurdity. And to you."
The wine was extraordinary. So was the food—seven courses of things I couldn't pronounce but tasted like heaven. Between bites, we talked. Really talked. About work, family, and futures that we were building.
"I'm going to Milan after New York," I told him over dessert. "For the boutique opening."
"I heard. Xavier mentioned it." He paused. "How long will you be gone?"
"Two weeks. Maybe longer. There's a lot to do."
"I'll come visit."
"Femi—"
"Not the whole time. I know you need to focus." He took my hand. "But I'd like to see you. Take you to dinner. Show you my favorite spots in the city."
"You have favorite spots in Milan?"
"I have favorite spots everywhere." He grinned. "Say yes, please."
"I'll think about it."
He lifted my hand, pressed a kiss to my knuckles. "I'll take whatever you're willing to give me, Issy. For as long as you're willing to give it."
The helicopter brought us back to London. He drove me home, walked me to my door. The streetlight caught the angles of his face, and I found myself not wanting the evening to end.
"I had a wonderful time," I said.
"So did I." He stepped closer. His hand came up to my face, thumb brushing my cheek. "Isabelle..."
He kissed me.
His mouth was warm, certain. His hand slid to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair, tilting my head so he could deepen the kiss. I grabbed his lapels to steady myself. He tasted like wine and chocolate and something that was just him, something I'd never forgotten.
When we finally broke apart, I was breathing harder than I wanted to admit.
"I thought we were taking things slow," I managed.
He laughed. "This is slow for me. Otherwise, I would have proposed by now."
My heart stuttered. He said it lightly, but his eyes were serious.
"Femi—"
"Too much?" He pulled back slightly, searching my face. "I'm sorry. I told myself I wouldn't say things like that. Not yet."
"It's not too much." The words surprised me. "It's just... a lot."
"I know." He pressed his forehead to mine. "I know I'm a lot. I've always been a lot when it comes to you. I'm trying to be better about it."
He kissed me again. Softer this time. A promise.
"Thursday," he said when he finally stepped back.
I watched him walk to his car. Watched until the taillights disappeared around the corner.
Inside, I found Naomi in the kitchen, eating leftover pasta straight from the container.
"Hey." She looked at me. "How'd it go? I didn't even expect you back tonight after he kidnapped you."
