Page 88 of Take This Heart
She taps her top lip. “I think I could pull that off. I brought an extra pair of clothes for backup. I’ll just call Dad and maybe Grandma Nancy to see how things are going there.”
“Do whatever you need to do. If you’re tired, we can stay in and order takeout.”
“No, I want to meet Evan and Sara. And I love the food at CoV. Okay, okay, I’m getting ready.” She skirts out of my hold and laughs when I smack her backside.
I shower in the guest bathroom because we’ll never leave if I get in with her.
I’m already shocking myself with the level of these feelings. I knew we would be good together because kissing her is out of this world, but I couldn’t have known how intense it would be.
Goldie comes out in a sleeveless, short green dress that hits the middle of her thighs. Her hair is pulled back and she looks stunning.
“Wow,” I say, walking toward her.
I hold my hand out and she takes it. I twirl her around, taking in the view before I kiss her cheek.
“You look beautiful.” I slide her strap slightly to the side and groan when I see pale pink lace underneath.
“Uh-uh-uh,” she says, swatting my hand away playfully.
“Now that I know what treasures lie beneath…” I tap my temple. “It’s all right here, but the pleasure of unwrapping your package...”
“If you’re sweet, maybe I’ll let you unwrap me later,” she teases.
“I can be sweet,” I promise. “I can be so sweet.”
“That’s what I’m finding out…” She smirks at me as I hold the door open and we walk out.
She’s antsy on the drive to CoV in Wayzata.
I reach over and thread my fingers through hers. “You okay?”
She makes a face. “Nervous.”
“Of Evan and Sara? Don’t be. They’re going to love you. How was your dad?”
“He’s good, and Grandma Nancy told me to stay as long as I wanted. She said Kevin is getting spoiled rotten.” She grins over at me and looks a little more relaxed.
It’s the perfect day—72 degrees and sunny, low humidity, and it’s the time of year when everything is in bloom and thetrees and grass are so green, it doesn’t seem real. In the winter, it seems impossible that it’ll look like this again, and in the summer, it’s hard to imagine all of these trees bare or snowy.
We have a table overlooking the lake. The patio buzzes with chatter and clinking glasses. Evan and Sara jump up and wave when they see us, all smiles. I make the introductions and we all sit down.
“We ordered a lobster guac and halibut ceviche for the table—” Evan starts.
“And then were like, oh no, I hope Goldie likes seafood!” Sara says, making a face. “We can get another appetizer too.”
Goldie laughs. “I love seafood! That sounds perfect. I haven’t been here yet, but I’ve heard great things.”
Our server comes with the appetizers and gets our drink orders. Sara and Evan ask Goldie a few questions and my hand rests on the back of her chair. My fingers brush the nape of her neck and I watch her respond to my friends with such poise. She’s radiant and I can tell she’s relaxing more by the second.
She takes a chip and dips it, her eyes closing with her bite. “This lobster guac is unreal.”
“Isn’t it great?” Sara says and they launch into a conversation about their favorite restaurants in town.
“My brother is my favorite chef,” Goldie says. “You’ll have to come visit the restaurant when it opens!”
Evan’s eyes meet mine and he gives me a smug grin as he watches my hand. Goldie excuses herself to go to the restroom before the rest of our food comes. The moment she’s gone, Evan and Sara pounce.
“Whoareyou?” Sara demands, leaning in. “I’veneverseen you like this, Milo.”
