Chapter Two
Brody
“There’s my pretty girl,” I called out, watching as Maggie bounded out the door of her law office.
I was perched across the street, in my usual spot. Lately, I’d taken up residency on the steps of a brownstone I had recently learned belonged to an old man.
Mr. Waterman, as it turned out, was less than pleased that I’d chosen his steps to spend my evenings while waiting for my lovely girlfriend to get off work.
Loitering, I believe he called it.
Well, lucky for me, my girlfriend’s a hotshot lawyer who would save my ass if the old man decided to take it to court, so ha.
Maggie rolled her eyes when she saw me—or at least, I imagined she did based on the shadowy glimpse I got of her as she passed under the streetlamp.
It was late, and this bourgeois area of the city had almost certainly settled in for the night. Us, though?
We had a whole night ahead of us.
“Hi,” I grinned, looking her up and down. “You look hot.”
She scrunched her nose at me.
“I’m in work clothes. I shouldn’t look hot. I should look professional.”
“Well, I have a thing for corporate girls, so I’m biased,” I said, settling an arm around her shoulders.
“Girls?” She narrowed her eyes at me. “Plural?”
I flicked her nose.
“How long is it going to take for you to remember you’re my one and only?”
She let out a laugh, but even if she wouldn’t say it, I knew the assurance settled something inside her.
“Where are we going?” she asked, letting me lead her down the street.
“Oh, I know a place,” I smirked.
“That never ends well.”
“Come on,” I scoffed, affronted. “Have a little faith in me.”
“Last time you planned date night, it was bowling on senior night.” She shot me a glare.
Maggie wouldn’t let me live that down anytime soon.
“Hey, I like a quiet atmosphere!” I held my hands up. “Sue me!”
“I could,” she teased.
“On account of?” I asked, directing us toward the corner where my car was parked.
“On account of you not letting your beautiful girlfriend pick where she wants to go on her very special night.” She frowned at me, but let me hold the car door open for her anyway.
“Special night?” I whipped my head back dramatically. “What’s tonight?”
Her face paled, mouth opening and shutting in disbelief.
I threw my head back and laughed.
“You have major trust issues, babe,” I told her, leaning in to kiss her beautifully pouty lips. “I’m not going to let you down. I promise.”
She relaxed, breathing out in relief, before her hand shot out to lightly smack my arm.
“Don’t do that,” she ordered. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s a little funny,” I told her before shutting her door and making my way to the driver’s seat.
“I knew you were lying. You’re dressed up, so we must be going somewhere.”
We were, but she’d just have to wait and see.
Even though the thought of waiting for anything made Maggie practically combust on the spot, I was willing to risk it tonight. The payoff would be worth it.
As soon as I turned the keys in the ignition, the audiobook I’d been listening to started playing. I turned it off in mortification, looking at her sheepishly.
“Are you listening to Fourth Wing?” Maggie giggled, sending me deeper into the depths of humiliation.
“I just wanted to see what all the hype was about!” I defended.
“And the verdict is?”
“It’s pretty good,” I admitted under my breath, eyes focused on the road ahead of me.
She laughed, scrolling down my Spotify until she found the playlist she’d created titled “Maggie,” while I drove us to the destination that I hoped would be the backdrop for her perfect night.
I parked a little ways down the street from our destination, just to throw her off my tracks until the last possible minute.
I opened the door, lending her my hand so she could climb onto the sidewalk before grabbing the bag I’d packed in the backseat.
“Newbury Street,” Maggie noted, eyes taking in our surroundings. “Are we going on a shopping spree?”
“Not tonight,” I told her, feeling my palms start to sweat a bit with anticipation.
Maggie was so smart. She saw every move coming. It was hard to ever really surprise her.
But tonight, I think I had her.
“Then, what are we—” She paused when she saw the restaurant I stopped in front of. “You didn’t!”
I shot her a sly grin.
“Are we finally eating at Contessa?” she gaped at the Newbury Hotel, housing one of the city’s most prestigious restaurants—one Maggie had been dying to eat at as long as I’ve known her.
“It’s impossible to get reservations here!” she squealed, jumping up and down as she stared between me and the entrance.
Yeah, it was. Which is why I had to book the damn place a year in advance—not to mention the time spent coordinating everything else. But the pure bliss on her face told me it had all been worth it.
“You want to go in?” I asked.
“I’m not dressed for Contessa!” she said, face paling in realization. “I can’t go in dressed like a lawyer!”
“I packed the essentials.” I held up the bag I’d packed for her. “Change of clothes. Perfume. Makeup.”
“Ah!” she squealed again, reaching out to grab it. “But did you remember—”
“Your facial wipes? Yep, babe. I did.”
“You perfect man!” She leaped into my arms, letting me spin her around as people maneuvered around us.
“Come on,” I laughed, setting her back down. “If we’re late, it’ll be another year before we get the chance to eat there.”
We went in, Maggie taking off to change in the hotel lobby bathroom while I shot off a text to Liam.
brODY: About to come up!!!! ??
Liam’s response appeared before my eyes.
LIAM: ??
I shook my head at his lackluster response. He was a man of few words. That translated to text as well.
But hey, at least he was using emojis now. That was major progress as far as I was concerned. I much preferred being thumbed-up by Liam than the ominous “Ok.” I was used to getting.
Which was a total scam, because last time I peeked over his shoulder at practice while he was texting, I saw his thread with Cassie filled with not only dozens of hearts, but kissy faces and heart-eyes galore.
Maggie’s reappearance had my head snapping up, and I pocketed my phone before she could look at the message.
“Damn, Mags.” I looked her up and down, admiring every curve emphasized by that tight black dress. “You’re stunning.”
“And you’re incredibly handsome.” Her hands fisted my tie. “And I’m incredibly hungry, so how about we go try the food that every big name in Boston has been bragging about for years.”
I nodded, leading us toward the elevator that would bring us up to the rooftop restaurant. Lacing her hand in mine, I felt her energy vibrating through the air.
The doors started to open, and I felt it happen in slow motion. Would she be disappointed? Should I have done something bigger? Damn, I probably should’ve seen if I could book Ariana Grande or something to make an appearance.
But it was too late now.
The elevator doors opened, fully revealing the rooftop restaurant and every single one of our friends and family screaming in unison,
“Surprise!”
Maggie dropped the bag she’d been holding and screamed back—a scream of joy, I realized with relief.
She looked at me with wide, awestruck eyes.
“You did this?”
I pulled her in, pressing a kiss against her temple.
“Happy birthday, Mags.”