Page 65 of So This Is Love

“Damn, you really did your thing with this photoshoot. This is amazing.”

“Thank you,” I say, smiling. “If Morgan doesn’t have any notes we plan to release this next week right with our summer restock.”

“Are you busy tomorrow night?

I shake my head.

“Good, I have a surprise for you. I’ll have a driver come and pick you up at 7.”

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“If I say ‘yes’ is it going to scare you off?”

I bite my bottom lip, those flutters that plagued my body when Bryce and I first decided to be friends, back again. I don’t trust myself to speak so I just shake my head.

“Good, because I am asking you to go on a date with me. Don’t overthink it,” Bryce says, his dark brown eyes staring into mine. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”

I nod. “See you tomorrow.”

Bryce brings my hand up to his lips and kisses my knuckles. I watch him walk away, leaving through the back door just like he came.

***

Bryce refused to tell me where we we’re going for our date. I texted him while I was choosing my outfit, fishing for any details he would give me. He didn’t reveal anything, simply telling me that whatever I chose would be perfect.

I opt for a black satin wrap midi dress, that hugs my body in all the places I want it to, with a slit on one side that shows just the right amount of leg. I pair it with a simple pair of heels.

The click of my heels echo as I walk through the lobby of my building. A blacked out SUV is parked right outside the doors, a man in a dark gray suit standing on the passenger side.

I step out the door and make eye contact with the man.

“Ms. Eden?” the man asks.

I nod and he steps aside, opening the back door for me to get in. Once I’ve slid into the seat, he closes the door and walks around to get into the driver’s seat. He puts the car in drive and starts on the way to our destination.

I sit back in my seat and watch the buildings pass by as we leave Rosewood, heading towards Chicago. My phone chimes and I pick it up, seeing it’s a message from Zara.

She wasn’t home yet when I was getting ready, still at the shop with a late night client. I sent her a picture of me in my outfit on my way out to get her opinion. I open her message and giggle at the fire and heart eye emojis that she sent in response.

I am so wrapped up in texting Zara, I don’t notice when the car stops until the driver says something.

“We’ve arrived, Ms. Eden.”

My head snaps up and I look around, trying to find my bearings and figure out where I am. I’m confused, seeing only the water of the lake until my eyes land on the ferris wheel.

The Pier.

I haven’t been here in years, probably since middle school for a field trip. Parked next to us is an identical blacked out SUV and I watch as Bryce steps out from the backseat.

Bryce always looks good, but something about the calm confidence of his demeanor as he strides past the front of the car dressed up just for me has me clenching my thighs together as I wait. He pulls my door open and flashes me a smile, both of the dimples in his cheeks on display.

He offers me his hand to help me out of the car. As I stand next to him, he does a slow perusal of my body, starting at my feet and working his way up until we lock eyes.

“Perfect. Just like I said,” he murmurs.

Warmth spreads through my body at his words. Bryce takes my hand in his and starts to lead me away from the trucks. I scan our surroundings, searching for the crowds of people I know are usually always abundant especially during the summer.

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Bryce says, acknowledging the fears I hadn’t voiced aloud.

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