“The truth is always worth repeating.”
Her light laughter fills the space between us, and it’s a carefree, happy sound reminiscent of our time in Hawaii. This is the Willow I’ve missed for months.
We turn off the highway and start to climb up the side of Burnaby Mountain. Willow turns in her seat to face me as soon as we do. “Are you taking me to The Lookout?” Her excitement is clear, and I flash her a grin as an answer. “Oh my God, Ronan! Did you know this is my favourite restaurant? But it’s so hard to get into, how did you get a reservation so quickly?”
I pause for a second before answering. I’ve never been the type to flash my celebrity status or use it to get things, but I sure as shit did to make tonight happen. The question is, how will she feel about that? Willow’s never seemed blinded by my status, never shown any interest or care whatsoever about the ridiculous salary I get paid to play a game, even though I’m certain she’s aware.
“I made a call. I don’t want you to think I do that a lot because I don’t. But I heard you telling one of the trainers about this place when he was looking for somewhere to propose to his girlfriend, and you said it was your favourite restaurant. I wanted tonight to be special,” I finish lamely, gripping the steering wheel tightly with my one hand.
“Ronan,” she starts softly, taking my other hand in hers again. “That was almost two months ago that I told Henry about The Lookout.”
All I can do is nod.
“You remembered that? All this time?”
“I remember everything about you. Everything you’ve said, all the things that have made you happy or sad.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see her rest her head back on the seat. And she’s still holding my hand.
“You’re kind of amazing, Ronan Sinclair.”
Thank fuck, we’ve reached the parking lot. I quickly pull into a spot, turn off the car, and turn to face her fully. “You deserve amazing, Willow. I just want to be the lucky fucker who helps you believe that.”
The play of emotions across her face is something to watch.
“You’re something else, you know that?”
My mouth quirks a grin at her enigmatic statement, said with wonder in her voice. “A good something, I hope.”
In response, she leans over and kisses me softly. “It would seem that way.”
As much as I want to stay here and kiss her for hours, this isn’t the romantic setting I’ve got planned. We’re still in my SUV with Peyton’s car seat in the back, along with various toys and an unmentionable amount of goldfish cracker crumbs. I tell her as much, earning a light giggle and a caress of my cheek with her soft hand.
“Your dedication to your daughter is not something to be embarrassed of. Not with me.”
I stare at her, completely transfixed by the incredible woman in front of me. “How do you know just what to say, every time?”
Willow just shakes her head slowly. “I don’t, trust me. I just know how I feel. How you make me feel. And I’m done trying to fight that.”
This time, my smile is big. Huge. “And there you go, you just did it again.” Leaning in, I press one more kiss to her luscious red lips before getting out of the car and going around to open her door. She takes my outstretched hand as she climbs out and lets me pull her straight into my embrace. “Tonight is for you, Cherry.”
She looks up at me with pure happiness etched across her face. “For us.”
I can’t resist kissing her after that, even though we’re now several minutes late for our reservation. Then again, I rented the entire rooftop patio, so they can fucking well wait.
When the maître d' himself escorts us to the table set at the edge of the patio, overlooking the twinkling lights of Vancouver and the neighbouring towns, Willow’s gasp is audible.
“Ronan,” she murmurs, squeezing my arm tightly. “This is incredible.”
I reluctantly drop her arm to pull out her chair, and when she sits down, I bend over to kiss her bare skin. Thanks to strategically placed heat lamps, there’s not even a hint of a chill in the springtime air. The weather gods are cooperating, with this, thankfully, dry May evening. Plan B was a private room inside, but I knew Willow would enjoy this more. Thanks again to fate, I suppose, for all of my plans working out this time around.
“Told you, you deserve incredible.” I sit down across from her, and she reaches for my hand, lacing our fingers together on top of the white tablecloth.
“Thank you.”
Two simple words spoken with so much genuine emotion, I get a little choked up. I can see a future with Willow, a future that’s becoming clearer and clearer with every passing moment I spend with her. A future that includes fancy dates like this to spoil her, and casual ones that are more my speed. Days with Peyton at the park, nights spent in bed. It’s crazy to be feeling all of this so fast, but then again, it’s been months of watching Willow, wanting her from afar, falling for her with every smile, every gesture.
A waiter materializes out of nowhere with a tray carrying two drinks and a little glass dish. When he sets the items down on the table, delighted laughter bursts out of Willow.
