She did that sexy thing where she bites down just the slightest bit on her bottom lip in response, but doesn’t reply. Which was fine. That was all the response I needed. I gave her a reprieve from my attention and quickly scanned the menu, settling on something simple since I could eat pretty much anything. This night was about her.
“Know what you want to eat?”
She sighed. “There’s so much to choose from and it all looks so good, but this place is kind of pricey. Are you sure we should be eating here?” Her previous smile fell a little. I couldn’t have that.
I reached across the table and slipped her hand into mine. “Get anything you want, Sophia. Trust me, I can afford it. I wouldn’t tease you with this place if I couldn’t.”
Thankfully, she beamed once again. “Okay, as long as you’re sure.”
When the waiter came over, she settled on getting some kind of Alfredo pasta and I got spaghetti. Sophia laughed at that last part.
As we waited for food she regaled me with tales of her and Kaden as kids, like the time he stuck a piece of chewed bubble gum in her hair while she was sleeping and she had to have a chunk of it cut off to remove it. She went months with uneven hair at the back of her head.
I told her about the time Alden and I filled our parents room with thousands of packing peanuts while they went out for a date night. They were naturally pissed by the prank and we spent hours cleaning the mess. It took us until well after midnight, which made Mom even more livid since she had to be up for work the next morning.
When our food came, we talked about our jobs and the people we saved. I always thought my job was hard, but hearing the things Sophia had to go through with the victims we saved from fires damn near broke my heart. But it also solidified my adoration for her.
She was such a compassionate and giving person. There’s no telling what this world would be like without her in it had she died in the fire we saved her from. The thought was sobering and pushed my determination to protect her with everything I had in me.
“I have one more surprise for you,” I told her as we packed up our leftovers into containers and got up from the table.
“Oh yeah?” she asked, looping her arm through mine. “Do I get a hint as to what it is?”
“Nope. You’ll just have to wait and see.”
Dinner had been great so I only hoped dessert would wow her just as much. We made our way to our last destination for the night. Her eyes rounded on me with confusion when she saw where we were.
“The beach? I really hope we’re not going swimming, cause summer or not that water is going to be cold.”
I laughed and shook my head as we exited the car. “Not a chance. Just for a little walk to the end of the pier.” Walking to the trunk, I popped it open and pulled out a wicker picnic basket I’d put together while Sophia had been in the shower.
“What’s in there?” she inquired curiously, trying to lift one of the sides to peek inside.
I swatted her hand away. “Don’t you dare. You’ll see when we get there, silly girl.”
Sophia giggled and stepped back as I closed the trunk. When I reached out my hand for hers and she placed it inside, I instantly felt like we’d been doing this for years. Everything felt so easy with her. So perfect. How I’d gone most of my life without her was a mystery.
The walk was quiet but comfortable as we strolled along the pier, the salty, cool breeze blowing her soft golden curls and carrying her delicate floral scent to me. I inhaled deeply, memorizing that smell as much as I could.
When we reached the end of the pier there were two benches beneath a small gazebo area. She sat on one of the benches and I rested the basket next to her, opening it to finally reveal to her its contents.
Her eyes lit up as they grazed over the two wine glasses, the bottle of Chardonnay, and bowl of chocolate covered strawberries I’d spent way longer than necessary to make. But they were her favorite dessert, so there was no way I wouldn’t make them perfect.
“Darren, this is amazing,” she told me in quiet awe, glancing up at me with a soft expression. “How did you know my favorite wine and dessert?”
I grinned down at her as I poured us both a glass of wine and opened the bowl for her to dive into the sweet confections.
“I may have called Alice. She knows more about you than anyone, so I figured she’d know.” Her friend had been very forthcoming with any and all information on her best friend. I’d have to figure out a way to thank her.
“Aw, Alice. Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky having her as a friend.”
I sat beside Sophia and brushed a lock of hair from her face. “It’s not luck, Sophia. You’re one of the kindest, most genuinely loving people I know. You deserve friends like Alice and so much more.”
Her eyes seemed to glaze over, glistening with the light from the moon shining down on us. Just when I thought she couldn’t be more beautiful, she blossomed even more, leaving me breathless.
I couldn’t help leaning over and pressing my lips to hers. It was soft, slow, and I hoped to show every bit of emotion from deep within my soul that I had for her. Her small hand brushed against my cheek, seeping the kiss just the slightest before she pulled away.
Raising her glass, she smiled. “To one of the most perfect first dates I’ve ever had. I hope more will follow after.”
