Page 38 of Lucky 22

Aww…this man…

“My ride’s here. I’ll see you in a little bit, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Do you need anything?”

Just you.

“I’m good. But thank you. I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes, you will.”

We hang up, and I spring into action. I unpack a few thingsand quickly freshen up. The flight wasn’t long, but I still dressed casually,and I’d like to look a little more put-together—especially if we’re going todinner at the rooftop restaurant.

I change out of my leggings and sweatshirt and put on a pairof black jeans and a turquoise sweater. My hair is up in a ponytail, so Iremove the scrunchy, shake my head, and brush it all out. Studying myreflection, I touch up my makeup a bit and reapply my lipstick. By the timeChristian knocks on the door, I’m ready.

More than that, I’m both excited and relaxed.

This is it.

The start of everything.

When I open the door and see his handsome face, my hearttells me I have nothing to worry about. I made the right decision.

Our future starts right here, right now.

Chapter Seven

At this point in my life, I’ve taken a lot of risks.Some have panned out, others haven’t. But this trip? It has more than pannedout—it’s everything.

Coming to Tempe put us in our own little bubble. There areno distractions, except for the few hours a day when Christian is at physical therapy.Once he’s done, we literally have the entire day to ourselves. We’ve packed somuch into the five days we’ve had, and he’s made every moment so incrediblymagical. I had no idea relationships could be like this.

We did a bit of sightseeing; he took me shopping and boughtme a couple of outfits and shoes, and we even found a Hello Kitty purse Ididn’t have.

“You know, you’re sort of a good luck charm for my littleobsession,” I tease.

Laughing softly, he looks at me. “Um, I’m not quite surewhat that means, but it sounds like a good thing.”

“You are two for two in the Hello Kitty department. The onefrom our first date and now this, so…” Leaning in, I kiss his cheek. “Thankyou.”

“You are verywelcome, Ella Rose. I enjoy spoiling you.” He gently runs his fingers down myarm in the softest caress before taking my hand in his. His smile is bothadorable and sexy.

It’s such a sweet thing to say, and clearly, he’s very goodat it, but a part of me wishes there was something I could do for him. Which iswhat I tell him as we enjoy a fabulous dinner later that night.

“Okay, so I know that we’re not keeping score and all that,”I begin casually, “but you’ve been so incredibly generous, and I wish therewere something I could do for you.”

He holds my hand, caressing it with his strong fingers, andthe look on his face is beyond tender.

Seriously, he could be the hero in a romance novel.

“But you’ve already given me something more valuable thananything I’ve given you,” he says in that low timbre that I’m seriously gettingaddicted to.

“I haven’t given you anything,” I say lightly, feelingmyself blush.

“Ella Rose, you dropped everything and flew to Arizona justto be with me. Do you have any idea what that means to me?”

All I do is shake my head. I’m mesmerized as I listen tohim.