AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We still might be.”
“Ugh.” She falls back into her seat. “You are too good at keeping secrets.”
I know her comment is harmless, but I still feel a heavy weight form in the pit of my stomach. Ignoring that sinking feeling, I focus on Maddy as she talks about internships. She really wants the gig at Mount Sinai Hospital, and her chances are looking good.
The drive into JFK is thankfully short and as I park my car into the long-term parking lot, Maddy raises an eyebrow.
“Can you please tell me where we’re going?” She interlaces her fingers into praying hands.
“No,” I reply, kissing the tip of her nose.
We jump onto the shuttle and ride it until we reach the international terminals. I unload Maddy’s three suitcases while she bounces on the spot excitedly.
“Dixon, you’re killing me!” she whines behind me as I steer our cart through the glass doors.
She really is too adorable, and I can’t wait until she finds out where we’re going. As we make our way through the crowd, I can’t stop thinking about what lies ahead. Our own private villa allows us complete seclusion, and truthfully, I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands to myself.
“Oh my effing God! No? No way!” Madison’s almost curse alerts me to the fact that she’s guessed where we’re going.
I come to a halt and smirk. “See, now wasn’t that worth the wait?”
Looking down at her, I realize that this secret, all my secrets, have been worthwhile because nothing can ever compare to her throwing herself in my arms while crying happily. “You’re really taking me to Rome? I thought you were kidding!” she says, sniffing back her tears.
“No, I think I took a wrong turn,” I tease, hugging her tight.
She chuckles and sobs in the same breath, but then suddenly pulls out of my embrace, looking troubled. “I didn’t pack my passport!”
“Looks like you can’t come then.” I sigh, but quickly grin when she looks like she’s about to start crying again.
“Oh, you’re so mean, Dixon Mathews.” She pokes her tongue out at me playfully.
I lower her to her feet and reach into my jacket pocket, producing her passport. “Lucky your mom did.”
She raises an eyebrow. “My mom was in on this?” When I smirk, she snatches the passport from my hand. “Don’t answer that.” As we check in at the first-class counter, Madison’s eyes grow wide. “I’ve never flown first class before.”
“There’s a first time for everything,” I reply without thinking, as my comment might make her feel uncomfortable.
But when her cheeks flush, and she nervously tugs at her bracelets, I know it’s had the opposite effect. “I can’t wait.”
I stifle my desperate growl and slip my fingers through hers as we make our way through the security checkpoints.
We have a little while before our flight leaves, so we decide to chill out and sit in the lounge. As I scroll through my emails, I can feel Madison watching me closely. I unhurriedly look up from my screen and catch her staring at me openly. Usually, she would look away, embarrassed to be caught, but this time she doesn’t.
I match her stare, wondering what she’s thinking. She makes her thoughts clear when she slowly stands and walks over to me. Without a word, she perches on my lap, wraps her arms around my neck, and rests her ear against my chest. The gesture is so trusting that I can’t help but smile.
“Thank you, Dixon,” she whispers.
“You’re welcome. Happy Birthday, Madison,” I reply, cocooning her into my arms.
When her breathing becomes deeper and heavier, I wonder what’s wrong. “Best birthday present ever,” she finally says. “I love…it.”
I don’t reply or make a big deal about it. I simply hold her tighter than I ever have before because if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was going to say something crazy like…I love you.
“Wow,” I gasp for the hundredth time as I look at the magical, moonlit scenery in front of me.
I know it’s not exactly poetic, but it’s all I can muster because I am literally speechless. And that’s probably not a bad thing, considering I almost told Dixon I loved him. I was so wrapped up in the moment, and it was nearly out before I could stop myself. I’m certain he knew what I meant to say but, funnily enough, I don’t care.
Bringing me here to Rome for my birthday is kind of a big deal. I mean, I’ve only ever traveled as far as Boston. But here I am, sitting in a fancy Mercedes in Rome, faced with yet another surprise.
