“Is that…” She gestures to the two cocktails and the dish of extra maraschino cherries.
“The drink from our dinner in Hawaii? Yes. I called the hotel bar and begged for the recipe so they could recreate it for us tonight.”
Willow’s shaking her head, but she’s smiling. “Wow. No one has ever done this kind of stuff for me.” Her eyes widen like she can’t believe she just admitted that and I squeeze her hand to show her I understand.
“Good. I like knowing I’m the first man to give you what you deserve.” My voice is husky with the unsaid second part of that statement — that I want to be the only man to give her what she deserves.First, last, only.
But even I know it’s too soon to put voice to that. It’s been too many months of wanting this woman from a distance, and now that I have her, there’s a lot we have to work out. Her fears about how our relationship might be perceived, and of course, I’ve got Peyton to think about in all this. Even though, I’m pretty confident my daughter is as taken with Willow as I am.
I lift my glass and Willow does the same, clinking them together. “To our first date in the real world.”
We take a sip, our gazes locked. Then Willow lifts the cherry from her glass and pops it in her mouth. I watch, amused and more than a little turned on, as her tongue moves around in her mouth. Then she opens up to show her tongue holding the tied stem. She lifts it off and holds it up. Her lips curve up. “To first dates.”
Dinner is perfect. I can tell Willow is enchanted by everything I planned. All the time I spent listening, observing, and casual questions asked of those who know her better than I do has made it possible for me to orchestrate an evening full of her favourite things. From the wine — courtesy of a winery on Vancouver Island near where her best friend now lives that she told one of the HR guys about — to the meal — a lobster ravioli I overheard her raving about to Lark. That’s the thing with my woman. She wants everyone to be happy and enjoy life. She doesn’t hold back from sharing the things that make her happy, and it’s all in an effort to make everyone else happy, too.
She gives and gives to everyone around her without ever expecting anything in return. She gives away her yellow Skittles because she doesn’t like lemon, but I’ve noticed how she also sneaks in a couple other colours. Purple for Lark, red for Monty. I asked him about it, and he just shrugged and said red was his favourite flavour.
Willow doesn’t hesitate to give if she thinks it will bring joy.
And all I want to do is give that to her.
After our dessert plates are cleared, I push back from the table and stand, extending my hand to Willow. “Come with me?”
She takes my hand and stands wordlessly, letting me lead her over to a secluded corner of the patio, where there’s a bush with small white flowers bursting all over, letting off an intoxicating scent.
“Jasmine,” Willow whispers, fingering the small white flowers. “Reminds me of Hawaii.”
I can’t answer, can’t formulate words as I just look at her, the moonlight behind her and the warm light from the restaurant making her glow.
“Thank you. This whole evening has been spectacular.” She rests her hands on my shoulders and I bend down to kiss her upturned lips. But then she pulls back, and something shifts.
“Ronan, I…” she starts, then stops, looking off to the side at the city laid out in lights below us. “I’m sorry we can’t just be together like a normal couple. Maybe someday, once I have the promotion. You’re such an incredible man, and I just hope you don’t feel like I’m ungrateful by not wanting us to be public.”
I gather her into my arms. “Willow, babe, no. Not at all. I know you’ve worked hard to get where you are, and I would never want to jeopardize that. Do I wish we could be together in public? Of course, I do. But I swear, I respect your need to keep things secret for now.”
I’m saying the words, and I mean them. I really do. Yet, as I pull her back in for another kiss, a voice inside of me is warning that secrets don’t exactly mix well with relationships.
Which means it’s a matter of time before something breaks. I just hope it isn’t us.
Chapter twenty-six
Willow
RONAN: Peyton wants to know if you would like to join us for movie night…
RONAN: There’s popcorn. And skittles courtesy of my daughter’s new obsession. I blame a certain woman for that by the way. It’s a good thing she’s pretty, and I can’t stop thinking about her, or I might have to be upset at her for getting my kid hooked on candy.
A giggle escapes me and I clap my hand over my mouth, hoping no one heard me. The media room is half empty, with most of my coworkers already gone home for the day. But Lydia’s still in her office, and a few others are out in their cubicles finishing up. When no one asks me what was so funny, I relax and re-read Ronan’s messages with a big smile on my face.
WILLOW: Oh, Peyton wants to know does she?
RONAN: Yup. Hey she can be very persistent when she wants something.
WILLOW: Hmmmm I wonder where she got that trait from.
RONAN: What are you insinuating, Cherry?
RONAN: That I’m the kind of man to go for what he wants? No lie detected there, I kind of have to be that way. How else would I be playing for the top Canadian baseball team?
