Chapter 21
21
Sofia
Diane sat in my kitchen, sipping on sweet tea.
She looked up at me with a smile. “I’m keeping Max tonight,” she declared, setting her glass down on the counter. “You need a night out.”
I shook my head in protest, but Diane was not one to take no for an answer. “I can't just leave him with you,” I protested.
Diane waved off my concerns. “He'll be fine. Besides, you deserve a break. Go out, have some fun. I'll take care of everything.”
And just like that, she had made up her mind. Diane had always been like that - bold, confident, and always looking out for those she cared about. I couldn't think of a better person to leave my precious Max with.
“Okay,” I relented, standing up from my seat. “But if he gives you any trouble, just call me.”
Diane rolled her eyes. “Trust me, I've raised three kids. Now go, have some fun. You deserve it.”
I rushed out to find Brett in the stables, brushing down one of the horses. He looked up as I approached and a smile spread across his face.
“Hey there, gorgeous. I was wondering when I’d see you today. I wanted to talk about last night.”
Last night was amazing and now when I looked at him, the only image in my mind was the way he looked at me while he came, his eyes darkening. “I don’t regret it.”
“I don’t either,” Brett replied before leaning in to kiss me. “I just wanted to make sure we were both still on the same page. The last thing I want to do is make you feel pressured. Opening up your heart to me is a big step for you.”
“Don’t you worry about little ole me… she’s infatuated with you.” I leaned to his ear. “Especially after last night.”
When I pulled away, he was smiling ear to ear. I didn’t waste anytime putting my lips on his. “So… Diane is keeping Max tonight. Are you free?”
Brett’s smile widened. “As if I’d say no. I had plans with Rich, but I’ll cancel. He’ll understand.”
We had both known him since we were kids. If anyone understood our epic love story, it was him. “Okay, well when do you want to pick me up?”
Brett's eyes sparkled. “How about I swing by around seven? That'll give me time to finish up here and get cleaned up.”
I nodded, my heart already racing at the thought of spending the evening with him. “Seven sounds perfect. I'll be ready.”
As I turned to leave, Brett caught my hand, pulling me back for one more kiss. His lips were soft against mine.
“Wear something nice,” he murmured against my ear. “I want to take you somewhere special.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? And where might that be?”
Brett just grinned, tapping the side of his nose. “That's for me to know and you to find out. Just trust me, okay?”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Alright, Mr. Mysterious. I'll play along. See you at seven.”
As I walked back to the house, my mind was already whirling with possibilities. What did Brett have planned? And more importantly, what was I going to wear?
I spent the next few hours in a frenzy of preparation, trying on outfit after outfit until I finally settled on a slinky black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. As I applied the finishing touches to my makeup, I heard the sound of tires on gravel outside.
My heart leapt. Brett was here.
Taking a deep breath, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door, ready for whatever the night might bring.
Brett's truck idled in the driveway, and I could see his silhouette through the windshield. As I approached, he stepped out, and my breath caught in my throat. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and dark slacks, his usually messy hair neatly combed back. He looked... magnificent.
“Wow,” he breathed as I reached him. “You look absolutely stunning.”
A blush crept up my cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself, cowboy.”
He grinned, opening the passenger door for me. ‘Your chariot awaits, my lady.”
As we drove, the anticipation built. Brett refused to give me any hints about our destination, no matter how much I pestered him. The familiar country roads gave way to the outskirts of town, and then we were on the highway, heading towards the city.
“The city?” I asked, surprised. “What's in the city?”
Brett just smiled enigmatically. “You'll see.”
An hour later, we pulled up in front of a swanky restaurant I'd only ever dreamed of visiting. The valet took Brett's keys, and he led me inside, his hand warm on the small of my back.
The ma?tre d' greeted us with a bow. “Mr. Thompson, your table is ready.”
As we followed him to a secluded corner, I leaned in close to Brett. “How did you manage this? This place is impossible to get into!”
He winked at me. “I have my ways. Besides, nothing's too good for you.”
We settled into our seats, and as the waiter poured us each a glass of champagne, I couldn't help but feel like I was living in a dream. The candlelight flickered across Brett's face, highlighting his strong jawline and the warmth in his eyes.
“To us,” he said, raising his glass. “And to new beginnings.”
I clinked my glass against his, my heart full. “To us.”
As we savored our meal and talked and laughed, I realized that this was more than just a date. This was Brett showing me that he was all in, that he was ready to give me the world if I'd let him.
“So, I have other plans for dessert, are you ready for the next surprise?”
I nodded and got up immediately, ready to be whisked away.
He opened the passenger door for me, ever the gentleman, and I slid in, the leather seat cool against my bare legs. As Brett started the engine, the air between us crackled.
We drove in comfortable silence for a while.
“Almost there,” he said, a hint of nervousness in his voice.
The road wound through a grove of trees before opening up to reveal a breathtaking vista. Brett parked the truck at the edge of a cliff overlooking a vast valley, the setting sun painting the sky in vibrant oranges and pinks.
“Oh, Brett,” I whispered, awestruck. “It's beautiful.”
He smiled, reaching into the back seat to pull out a picnic basket. “I thought we could have dessert with a view.”
As we unpacked all my favorites, he had really thought about tonight.
Here I was, under a sky full of stars, with the man I loved.
Brett poured us each a glass of wine, his hand brushing mine as he passed me the glass. The touch sent shivers down my spine.
“To us,” he said softly, raising his glass.
I clinked mine against his, my heart full. “To us.”