“You know why,” I whisper, biting my lip and looking away.
“I do, but I wanted to hear you say it.”
My eyes fall back to his as I let my lip fall free. “Because it reminded me of you.”
He lowers his head, pressing his lips softly to mine. “I love that you’re just as obsessed with me as I am with you.”
“You are?” I lean back with wide eyes.
“You’ll see.” He smiles as Emma returns. He releases me and proves just how much of a gentleman he is by taking the garment bags and suitcase from Emma. “Here, let me carry those for you. We’ll walk you out as well; I wouldn’t want you slipping on the sidewalk. There’s a bit of ice.”
“Well, thank you, Shane. That’s very sweet of you.” Emma looks at me over his shoulder while fanning herself and making me laugh.She’s ridiculous.
We head to the door, ready to leave, but Shane stops and looks at me with amusement. “Are you forgetting something?”
“Umm…” I frown, looking at myself, then into my condo.
“Do you have a coat? I can lend you mine if you’d like.” He smirks.
“Oh! No, that’s okay. Yes, I have one.”
I hurry to the closet at the entrance, retrieving my white double-breasted trench coat. Quickly pulling it on, I button it up and secure the belt, then pick up my purse that I was alsoforgetting from the little table at the entrance. I shut the door behind me, locking it and turning back to Shane, who waits with an outstretched hand.
I place my hand in his like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and we head to the elevator where Emma waits with a wide grin. We make our way down and outside, where Shane helps Emma into her car and then takes my hand once more, walking us over to a waiting town car. The driver steps out, coming around to open the door for us. I thank him and sit inside as Shane joins me.
I feel my anxiety starting to rise again and I wish it wouldn’t, I wish I was more confident around him. It makes me feel immature, childish. I bring my thumbnail to my mouth, chewing on it slightly.I really need to give up this habit; it’s definitely not helping on the childish aspect.
Shane reaches over me, buckling me in, then delicately grabs my wrist and pulls my hand away from my mouth. “It’s okay to be nervous, Aubrey. I am too.”
“It doesn’t show that you are.”
“That’s because you didn’t see me change my outfit at least ten times before coming.” He laughs softly. “And it’s perfectly normal to be, this is all still so new to us both. But we enjoy each other’s company, and that’s all that matters.”
“We do.” I smile up at him, leaning in to kiss him. It’s not something I ever thought I would be able to do, but he somehow brings out this side of me that feels courageous enough to take these first steps.
He beams when I pull away and takes my hand as we sail out of the city. After a ten-minute ride, the car pulls up to a shop I instantly recognize. A unique bakery that I’ve been dying to try out but haven’t found the time to. Every day, they create a completely new menu with fifty different types of baked goods. It’s not one of those walk-in bakeries where you can just pick outwhat you want, you need a reservation, and you’re only allowed to buy twenty items at most since they have a limited amount of inventory.
I gasp, excitement coursing through my veins. “Are we really going in?”
“We are.” The driver steps out of the car and comes around to open our door; Shane goes first, giving me his hand to help me out. We walk into the small bakery, and Shane gives his name to the man behind the counter.
I look through the displays at the different concoctions they’ve created for the day, each holding a little sign indicating what it is. “I’ve always wanted to come here. This is something I’d love to do one day if I ever open my own bakery. Although maybe not fifty different choices. But have at least one new recipe out every day for people to try, never selling the same one twice. Kind of like the chef’s choice in a restaurant.” I smile to myself as my eyes roam over everything.
“You will,” Shane says softly as he watches me.
“You think so?” I straighten and turn to him.
“I do. You have the talent, and the experience in running a business. I think you’ll go far someday.” He cups my cheek, caressing it with his thumb. “Pick out the ones you want, sweetheart.”
I turn back to the display and begin pointing at all the ones I’d like for us to try, getting ten different pastries and ten small cakes. Once I’m done, Shane pays for our order and takes my hand once more. “Ready?”
“Yes.” I beam, already loving the start of our night.
He pulls me outside, where I expect to find our driver, but instead a huge carriage with two beautiful white horses waits for us. “Oh my God! Shane!” I want to jump with joy, I’ve never been on one of these before, but I’ve always found it so romantic.
He doesn’t say anything, only pulls me to the side of the carriage and helps me up. He climbs in behind me, then picks up a huge fluffy blanket and drapes it over our shoulders, placing us in a warm cocoon.
“I know it’s not exactly the best weather for this, but I’m hoping this will keep us warm for the short trip.”
