Page 48 of Deal Breaker
“I think you’re going to like it,” he grinned.
Max had managed to secure exactly the same room in the Hill Suites as we’d had the last time we’d been here. I thanked my lucky stars it wasn’t the cabin. There was only so much wood paneling a girl could handle.
“It’s perfect.”
“Now, I don’t want to rush you, but we have dinner reservations in twenty minutes.”
I plucked at my plain t-shirt. “I can’t go to dinner looking like this!”
“Then it’s a good thing I packed for you.” Max hefted one of the suitcases onto the bed and undid it.
Lying on the top was a burgundy lace dress, not dissimilar to the one I’d worn to the wedding, although less smart.
“I thought the color suited you.” He smiled shyly, his cheeks almost the same color as the dress.
“A surprise trip, dinner,anda new dress?” I eyed him suspiciously. “What did you break?”
He let out a hearty laugh. “Nothing. I thought you deserved a treat.”
“Yes, but…”
“Sssshhh.” He placed a finger to my lips. “Eighteen minutes now.”
“Okay, okay, I’m going.”
I took the dress and wash bag into the bathroom, getting changed in record time. The dress slipped on as if it had been made for me. Then I spotted the label was one of my favorite brands. Max really had been paying attention. I redid my makeup, keeping it light and summery, before putting my hair up in a half-up, half-down affair. It was almost as if I was trying to recreate the look of the day when Max and I got together.
When I came out, Max was already dressed himself. Dressed in dark chinos and a dark blue button-down shirt which clung to his chest, he looked gorgeous. I almost wanted to forego dinner and stay in the room instead.
“Wow,” he breathed. “You look incredible.”
I twirled around in front of him. “You think? You have good taste.”
His mouth quirked. “I know. How do you think I ended up with you?”
I found my shoes, then fussed around with my purse, getting my phone, a credit card, and some cash before stuffing them in the tiny clutch bag I’d found in the case. Max really had thought of everything.
“Are you ready?” He tapped his fingers on his thigh, something I’d noticed he only really did when he was nervous.
I cast one look around the room to make sure I hadn’t forgotten anything. “Yes. Let’s eat.”
Max held my hand as we walked over to the Lodge for dinner, his other hand firmly in the pocket of his pants. The last time we’d been there, we’d eaten in the main dining room, but when we arrived, we were taken away down a side corridor. I didn’t question it, thinking we were eating in a different restaurant because there was an event on or something.
When the server opened the doors to the patio, I gasped.
Set out in the private dining area was a table for two, with a flowered arch twinkling with fairy lights over it. A bottle of champagne sat in an ice bucket in the center of the table, flanked by two white candles. Silverware for three courses and glasses for wine and water completed the table.
“Max, this is…” I couldn’t find the words.
He placed a tender kiss on my temple, smiling. “I know.”
The server gestured for us to sit down. Max held my chair for me, and I sank gratefully into it, unsure whether my legs would actually hold me up. No one had ever done anything like this for me before.
“Can I pour you a glass of champagne?” the server asked, sweeping the bottle from the bucket.
“Please, I think I need a drink.” Max grinned.
“Me too.”
