Page 91 of Alex

We are past the rich and fancy houses and surrounded by nothing but trees.

Alex grins. “Nope. I’m just teasing you. We’re going to a restaurant.”

“You’re impossible.” I reach down and place my hand on top of his.

He squeezes my thigh. “And yet you still love, uh, like me.”

Love.

That one word causes my heart to pound in my chest.

Neither one of us speaks for the rest of the trip. He pulls into a dimly lit parking lot. There’s only a few parking spots available.

This must be a popular place since the line is out the door.

I gaze around at the fairy lights wrapped around the palm trees with the ocean waves in the background. “Wow. This is so beautiful.”

“I was hoping it would be the perfect place for our first official date.” He pulls me into his arms and wraps his hands around his waist.

“This is perfect.” I give him a chaste kiss before pulling away. “Let’s go before they give up our reservation.”

Alex and I walk arm in arm toward the front door of the restaurant.

He gives the hostess his name, and she immediately leads us inside to a flight of stairs. We follow the hostess upstairs to a very nice table on the roof that is overlooking the beach.

Unlike other restaurants, she doesn’t give us menus. When we are seated, she says, “Your waiter will be here shortly to deliver your drinks.”

She gives Alex and me a smile before heading back downstairs.

Looking around at the near empty rooftop, I see other couples looking over menus.

Alex interrupts my thoughts. “I hope it’s okay that I already planned the menu for the evening.”

Alex planned the entire date, including our menu? This has to be the most romantic gesture ever.

“I’m fine with that. I’m not picky when it comes to food.” You can’t look like me and not like food.

The waiter brings two glasses of wine and two glasses of ice water. “Your food will be out in a few minutes.”

I give him a friendly smile. “Thank you.”

When we are alone, I take a sip of wine. “Wow, this is really good.”

Alex takes a large sip of his wine before licking a stray drop off his lower lip.

Damn. I wish I could be that drop of wine and have him lick me up.

Alex’s phone rings, interrupting the date and my dirty thoughts. “Sorry, it’s my dad.”

He mutes the ringtone and heads down the stairs to get some privacy.

I debate messaging Kate to check in on her, but I don’t want to be on my phone when Alex comes back, so I let my gaze wander over to the waves lapping up the beach.

It’s soothing, relaxing, and only adds to the romantic atmosphere.

How did I get so lucky to find someone like Alex?

Someone that cares for me and wants to be with me. Someone that can look past physical looks and wealth. Well, lack of wealth.

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