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“It’s alright, Tanner. I’ll check this one, but then my phone is off the rest of the night. I want to be here with you,” she says, that half hearted smile growing into the soft, sweet one that I love.

“Works for me. Because I want to be here with you too, all of you,” I say. After checking her phone, she leans her head back against my shoulder and I can feel both of us relax.

“I love you, Tanner,” she whispers, “I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

“I love you too,” I say, kissing the top of her head. She smells like her freshly shampooed hair, and I want to stay in this moment forever.

She watches our fingers and I can tell by the way she runs her thumb over the back of my hand something is on her mind.

“Ok, Ronni,” I ask. “What’s up?”

She looks back up at me, grinning ear to ear.

“Oh, nothing. Just wanted you to know you’re not the only one with a surprise planned tonight,” she says, still grinning devilishly.

“Oh really? Now, I’m curious.”

“Too bad. You’re going to have to wait.Trust me.” The look on her face both tortures and excites the shit out of me.

“Well played,” I tease.

Damn it. What does she have planned?

Chapter 37

Veronica

Gloria’s

Seeing Tanner this nervous for a date is somehow adorable and sexy all at once. I can tell how long he’s dreamt of moments like this and the more they happen, the more I feel like I’m seeing parts of Tanner I never knew existed.

Were they always there and I just missed them?

Sure, the confident yet calm, brash boy, my brother’s best friend, is still there. But under all of that there’s a thoughtfulness to him, a compassionate side that I’ve never seen before. The way he remembers little details about me, the way he learns something new that I like or dislike and internalizes it, like it’s a law he needs to live by to make me happy. It’s so heartwarming, so genuine. The Tanner I always thought of as impulsive and reckless also relishes in planning surprises, going so far out of his way to find things to make me happy, wanting nothing in return, just my smile.

In the back of the Uber, I keep finding myself thinking that I want more. I want more of all of this, more time with him.

“Tanner, would you ever want to ski somewhere else? Like not Jackson Hole?” When I look at him, he’s giving me a puzzled look as his lips press together in a sheepish smile.

“Why Ronni, Jackson Hole too easy for you now? Or don’t tell me Lizzy got to you and you want to go somewhere fancy like Aspen Valley?” His confident, almost cocky tone is back.

“No, not that. I’m just thinking that it could be fun. Go somewhere new, challenge ourselves a bit. I think it’d be cool to do some exploring, together.” I hold his hand tightly as I saytogether. I think I’d say yes to about anything now if it meant that we’d be together. “And who knows, maybe get me out of my comfort zone a little. Go snow storm chasing in your van.”

His smile widens as his eyes study my expression before he finally answers me.

“I’d go anywhere with you, Ronni. But if you want to ski somewhere new, I’d love to go check out Alta and Snowbird in Utah. I’ve never been and I’ve heard their steeps are every bit as gnarly as here. And we could visit Grace and Clay. I know they’d love to see you.” I can see a familiar expression on his face, the one I’ve seen so many times over the years. The one of excitement he gets when he’s about to jump off a cliff or plan some crazy new challenge. “You’re right. We could even take the van down with Rex. Tailgate at the mountain for breakfast. It’d be awesome.”

A few minutes later, the Uber drops us off on a side street a few blocks away from the town square. Tanner walks us to a quaint little old house, covered in snow with white string lights sparkling along the roof line. Painted on the glass of the front door in gold outlined black letters is a name,Gloria’s.

“Can you just tell me what kind of food it is already, please?” I look at Tanner, holding my hands together, pleading.

“Nope,” he smirks, shrugging his shoulders, “still gotta trust me.”

“Fine,” I huff, crossing my arms, doing my best impersonation of Lizzy, “but if I don’t like it, no surprise for you later.”

That gets an eyebrow raise out of him, even a momentary look of panic. See, I can play your game too, Tanner.

As we step into the restaurant, the hostess greets Tanner, while she checks the reservation list. She grabs his shoulder and lets her hand linger there for what seems like a few seconds too many. Clearly, he’s been here before if it’s his favorite restaurant and it seems like she knows him.

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