Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“You were right—that sandwich was life changing.” I squeeze her hand slightly to emphasize my statement. “I can’t decide if it was the sauce or the bread.”
Or simply the enchanting company across the table.
Harlow grins, looking up at me. “It was definitely the bread, but the sauces are all made from scratch in-house, too. I told you it’s my favorite!”
I originally had grand ideas for our first date, but then it was snowballing and becoming too big without possibly scaring her off.
I spiraled a little in my own head, overthinking it, then Harlow’s schedule changed.
She ended up going out of town that Friday evening for work, and when she landed four days later, I didn’t want to wait any longer.
My elaborate first date plans simplified, and we went to her favorite restaurant where the club sandwich rocked my world—but couldn’t even compare to the company.
“The restaurant has two other locations in town, and one is pretty close to our office, which is how I first discovered Spoon and Smash thanks to Walker’s amazing assistant, Christine.
I was thrilled when I discovered a location so close to my condo and this cute little park to walk through en route. ”
I hum in agreement as we stroll the walking path that winds through the park connecting Harlow’s neighborhood with a busier intersection and Spoon and Smash.
Tonight’s weather is unseasonably warm, so when Harlow asked if we could walk to dinner, I quickly agreed.
It’s cold enough to require proper winter jackets, but comfortable enough for a stroll through the park.
It also gave me an easy excuse to hold her hand under the guise of keeping her warm.
“This park is really nice. Do you walk this path often?” Even on a winter evening, it’s busy with families and adults walking through space; it’s easy to imagine picnics and yard games when the weather is warmer.
She holds her head a little higher as she responds, “I do, and not only to get Spoon and Smash.”
“Because they deliver?” I bite back my smile at my teasing.
Harlow’s shoots me a mock glare. “Okay, in part, yes, but there is also a coffee shop next door that I like to frequent as well.”
I give her a knowing look. “Ah, and they don’t deliver.”
She rolls her lips between her teeth, fighting a grin. “No, they do not, but that’s beside the point.”
“I would cut through worse areas to get good food and coffee, but I do like how safe this area is with the security measures in place.” I nod toward an emergency response tower across the green path and the sporadically placed security cameras.
The cameras look a little outdated, but the park is well-kept and well-lit.
“I probably would, too,” she leans in closer and lowers her voice, “but it’s okay, I’m packing and will protect us both.”
I tug her hand toward me, wrapping my arm around her and pulling her into my side. “Don’t worry, Harlow. I’ll keep us on the well-lit path and choose the lowest-risk option.”
“Be still my heart, a safety conscious man? You sure know how to woo the ladies.”
“What can I say? I’m risk-averse and like a good backup plan.”
The small smile on Harlow’s face assures me that my admission wasn’t too nerdy.
“So, no grand adventures for you? Are you sure you’re Liam’s brother?”
I laugh at that. “I like a grand adventure, but my definition of adventure includes things like four-star hotels, working plumbing, and not sleeping with bugs outside.”
“I don’t think I’d want bugs inside either.” She nudges my side with her elbow.
“I would hope the four-star hotel would dissuade those. I like to travel. I just also like comfort and safety. Why, what does a grand adventure look like to you?”
She glances down at the ground before lifting her eyes to meet my gaze. “I have a little bucket list.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s on it?”
She looks up at me, and her eyes search my face. “I … I want to see the Northern Lights, actually. Not like a little sliver in the sky either. I want to be surrounded by them.”
“Like in Iceland, Norway, or Finland?”
“Exactly. Or even parts of Alaska. It doesn’t have to be international, but I just want to stand under the glow and be totally present in that moment.
” As we walk under another streetlight illuminating the walking path, a faint blush creeps up her cheeks.
“My goals were always different from my family’s, so it made them feel … silly, I suppose.”
“There’s nothing silly about that dream, or any dream. In fact, I’d argue that any person who dismisses a dream of yours isn’t really worthy of hearing it in the first place.”
“You didn’t dismiss it.”
I slowly shake my head as I pull us to the side of the walking path.
“No, I did not. I think it’s amazing that you want to see something that’s outside of the control and influence of man.
” I wrap my arms around her and pull her against my body.
I can smell her vanilla shampoo and notes of her floral perfume, not overpowering anything but just a delicate scent that fits her so incredibly well.
Every little detail I discover only confirms that I am falling for this woman. She is so much more than the impressive job title, or academic accolades, and she genuinely cares to a remarkable depth.
Of course, she would want to see the Northern lights, but I don’t think it’s so she can take a pretty photo and brag about it.
“It’s not just about the pretty colors, right? I’m guessing it’s the perspective, too.”
She nods as she slides her hands up my chest. “And the reminder that even on the darkest night beautiful things can still happen.”
I should say something profound, but her confession is like a punch to the gut. The reality of what she faces on a regular basis in her job, and yet she seeks out beauty in the dark.
“You’re incredible, Harlow.” The words are so basic when what I’m feeling for her is beyond anything basic or simple. But before I try to articulate the feelings I don’t have the words for yet, she leans up on her tiptoes and kisses me.
As soon as our lips meet, any chill from the evening evaporates as everything clicks and feels right in a way I’ve never experienced before in a relationship.
I don’t know how to explain what’s happening between us—but I know I want more.