Page 52 of Essence of his Soul

Essence smiled, that smile that always messed with my head. “Very nice.”

I nodded in agreement. “Pop bought it a few weeks ago and barely added thirty miles. I thought I’d test it out tonight.”

I opened the car door for her, trying to keep it cool, but the moment she slid into the passenger seat, I knew it would be a struggle to focus on the road.

As we drove through the quiet, snow-covered streets, the atmosphere in the car was thick with a mix of anticipation and nerves. I could feel her glancing over at me, and when I finally looked at her, I saw the same thing in her eyes—nervousness. We were both on edge, and I knew I had to break the tension before it swallowed us whole.

“Essence,” I started, my voice softer now, “Are you as nervous as I am?”

She let out a small laugh, looking relieved. “You have no idea. I thought it was just me.”

We both laughed then, a sound that seemed to lift the weight from the air. “Well, at least we’re in this together,” I said, smiling over at her as we pulled up to the bistro.

The valet took the car, and I helped her out, our hands lingering just a little longer than necessary. I definitely wasn’t complaining. The cold winter air nipped at us as we walked into the bistro. Snowflakes clung stubbornly to my coat but melted softly as the restaurant's warmth quickly wrapped around us, making us both relax a little more.

The whole spot was dressed up for the holidays—twinkling lights draped over the windows, a massive wreath hanging proudly near the entrance, and the smooth sounds of classic holiday tunes playing softly in the background. I couldn’t help but feel like it was the perfect cozy, intimate vibe for the evening, with the holiday spirit in the air.

We were seated near a window that offered a view of the snow-covered street, the lights from the buildings reflecting off the glass. I slid into the seat across from her and watched Essence take in the scene, a soft smile playing on her lips. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

I noticed her hands fidgeting with the edge of the menu. I reached across the table, placing my hand over hers. “Hey, it’s just me,” I said, trying to soothe our nerves.

She looked up at me, her eyes softening. “I know. It’s just… I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

“Maybe because this feels different,” I admitted, squeezing her hand gently. “In a good way.”

Essence nodded, her smile growing. “Yes, in a good way.”

We ordered our meals, and the nervousness slowly faded asthe evening continued.

Conversation flowed between us like we’d been doing this forever. We could have been the only two people in the room. She had my undivided attention. The food was delicious. We both had a house salad with homemade Italian dressing and fresh-baked bread. Essence chose the seafood pasta with a white sauce, while I chose the house special—spaghetti. We laughed and talked about everything—how Tyler couldn’t stop talking about Santa, how she’d decorated the house with more lights than Times Square last year, and the craziness of holiday shopping. It felt easy and comfortable, like slipping into my favorite hoodie on a cold day.

When she laughed, this melodic sound warmed me from the inside out. I found myself leaning in closer, hanging on to every word, every smile. This was different from before. Better.

“I can’t believe we were both so nervous,” Essence said, smiling as she sipped her wine.

“I think it’s because we both know how important this is,” I replied, eyes locking onto hers. “This isn’t just another dinner. It’s us starting over, taking things slowly, and doing it right now.”

She nodded, her expression serious now. “You’re right. I don’t want to rush anything.”

“Neither do I,” I said, meaning every word. “I’ve realized that if we make this thing between us work, I gotta let things happen naturally. No more trying to control everything by demanding you marry me. Just… letting us be.”

Essence smiled at that, her hand finding mine again. “That sounds perfect.”

The warmth from the nearby fireplace was pleasant, but it didn’t compare to the heat sparking between us. I took a moment to drink her in—how her curls framed that gorgeous face, how the lights danced in her eyes, making them shine evenbrighter.

As the night continued, the cold temperatures frosted the windowpanes, but inside, the warmth between us only grew. I told her about my last deployment—the long nights, the close calls, the buddy I lost in a car accident. Stuff I didn’t talk about with just anyone. She listened, her hand reaching across the table to rest on mine. That simple touch grounded me in a way I hadn’t expected, reminding me I didn’t have to carry all that weight alone.

The bistro was the kind of place that made you want to linger just a little longer. By the time the check came, I knew this night was what we both needed—time together, without any pressure, just enjoying each other’s company and letting the relationship develop at its own pace. I wasn’t ready to call it a night.

“Feel like taking a walk?” I asked, nodding toward the window where snow was gently falling, blanketing the city again.

She smiled, that beautiful, warm smile that had been messing with my head all night. “I’d love to.”

We bundled up and stepped outside into the crisp night air. The city was alive with Christmas spirit—lights strung across buildings, storefronts decked out in holiday cheer, and the distant sound of carolers filling the streets. We walked side by side, our steps in sync as we took in the sights and sounds around us.

At some point, I slipped my hand into hers, and when she intertwined her fingers with mine, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. We talked about everything and nothing. For once, I wasn’t trying to steer the conversation or plan ten steps ahead. I was enjoying being in the moment with her. And for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t thinking about what might happen tomorrow or the next day. I was just here, in this moment, with Essence, and it felt like the start of something real.

We stopped in front of a beautifully lit tree in the park, the colors reflecting in her eyes as she looked up in wonder.

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