Page 87 of Be Your Forever
Bri is fucking gorgeous in anything she wears, but this dress? I promised to take her out, but jealousy is a power surge circulating throughout my body, knowing everyone with a pulse will be looking at her.
The velvet hugs every inch of her curves, worshiping every inch like a lover. Her warm, earth-tone colored hair falls wildly down her back. My fingers ache to wrap it around my fist and kiss her stupid. She’s a goddamn vision.
“You, Bri, are breathtaking. I hope you have bail money because I can’t be held accountable if any man looks at you.”
“So dramatic. Can you help me put my heels on? I didn’t want to trip down the stairs.” Bri extends the hand with her shoes toward me. I squat down in front of her, her arms resting on my shoulders.
I barely resist the urge to nip at her ankles, but we have a reservation to get to. The second shoe is on, and I pick up the fallen bouquet of calla lilies. After my Target run and getting ready, I had plenty of time to stop and get her flowers.
“These are different. Normally it’s roses.”
“I asked the florist what flowers represent beauty, and she recommended these.”
“Oh” is all Bri gasps, her face alight with awe and appreciation.
She brings the flowers against her chest, her whiskey eyes shimmering with love and appreciation. She is magnificent, and I can’t wait until she figures out our plans for the evening.
“Ready to go?”
“Yes, let me put these in a vase and we can head out.”
Her heels click against the vinyl flooring. When she makes her way back to me, I hold out my hand to interlock our fingers together. I brush a kiss across her knuckles before tucking her arm underneath mine.
I open the car door for her and buckle her in before heading to the driver's side. As soon as I start the car, she’s already asking questions.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going? Am I dressed okay?”
“We are going to Lagoonfor a special dinner, and yes, you are dressed perfectly. You always look good, bear.”
“What strings did you pull to get in there?”
“Cas helped me,” I admit.
“Thank you, Cas.”
“For real. Hey, Bri, if you could have any bookish item in the world, what would you choose?” I already know the answer, but I want to make sure nothing’s changed.
“Oh, that’s easy. I love theTwistedseries by Ana Huang. Have youseenthose special editions? My heart would swoon. One day, I’ll have them.” She lets out a wistful sigh, and the piece of paper is burning a hole in my pocket.
We pull into the beachfront restaurant and the valet approaches my car within seconds. We walk up to the hostess stand and when I give her my name, she asks us to follow her. The restaurant isn’t super busy. I’m not sure if this is Cas’ doing, or if it’s just a slower night.
“Wait, where are we going?” Bri asks.
“Patience, bear.” I squeeze her hand and throw a wink over my shoulder.
“Chef Marnie, Asher and his date have arrived,” the hostess informs the chef before turning and walking away.
Chef Marnie turns around and offers us a warm smile. Wisdom and happiness are etched across her face in the form of laugh lines and crow's feet, evidence of a well-lived, happy life. Although her hair is covered by her chef’s hat, loose, gray, curly tendrils frame her face.
“Well, hello. It's so nice to meet you. Are you ready for your cooking lesson?”
Bri whips her head to me with a surprised expression on her face. “Are you serious? This has been on my—”
“Bucket list. I know, I remember.”
“Y-Youremember that? That was over ten years ago.”
“I remember everything about you, Bri. Are you ready to cook?”
