“Okay. Where are we going?”
“I booked a table at Franco’s. Is that okay?”
She smiles brightly. “I love Franco’s.”
“Good.”
“Are those for me?” she asks softly, her eyes drifting to the flowers on the breakfast bar.
I grin. “They are.”
“They’re beautiful. Thank you.” She rises on her toes to press a gentle kiss to my lips, then steps out of my arms to fill the sink with water and place the flowers in it. “I’ll arrange them later. I don’t want us to be late.”
I nod, slipping my hand into hers as we head out of the apartment and into the waiting elevator.
“Maybe we could grab a drink afterward,” I suggest.
“Sounds perfect.”
Eden’s probably the best bar in town, so I’m guessing we’ll end up there. I am a little nervous about seeing her brothers again. I get that they’re protective, and I appreciate that, but as long as Ashlyn wants me in her life, I’ll do everything I can to show anyone who needs to know that we’re right for each other.
Ten minutes later,we’re walking hand in hand into Franco’s. I give the maître d' our reservation details and she leads us to our table, handing us both menus.
“Your server will be over soon to take your drink orders,” she says.
“Thank you,” Ashlyn says with a smile, glancing at her menu. “What are you getting? Everything here is so good.”
“I've never been before. What do you recommend?”
“Their steaks are incredible.”
“Are you getting one?”
“Yep.”
I chuckle. “Well, that settles it.”
When the server comes over, we order drinks and two steaks. Once she leaves, I reach across the table and take Ashlyn’s hand, intertwining my fingers with hers.
“Did you see Sophie and the baby today?” I ask, remembering she was heading there after leaving me at work this morning.
Her face lights up. “I did. Hunter is so cute. Sophie’s on cloud nine.”
“When can they go home?”
“Hopefully tomorrow. Hunter’s doing great, and with Cade being a doctor, he’s in excellent hands.”
I nod. “And how’s Taylor?”
“She’s doing well too. It’ll probably be a few more days before she can come home, though Seb’s eager to get her out of there.”
“Things are good between them, though?”
Ashlyn had told me what happened between Taylor and Seb before the accident, how Seb had been keeping his feelings for Sophie a secret, and that’s what their argument had been about that night. From what she said, Seb had been scared that if Taylor woke up, she wouldn’t be able to forgive him.
“I think so. They seemed to be getting along when I saw them. I just need to talk to Taylor alone, but Seb’s been glued to her side.”
I give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “I can’t blame him. I’m so relieved she’s okay, baby.”
