Page 62 of Two Minutes for Holding

“You’ll love it. They have the best food. Seriously, oh, and make sure you have the chocolate fudge cake, the one that is covered in roasted coconut. You won’t regret it,” Aurora added.

“Oh, that is my favourite too. I tried it after you told me about it.” Lorelai giggled. “Maybe I should talk to Knox about seeing if they can cater the dessert at our wedding instead. That would be such a hit, although he’d probably be irritated that I’m wanting to change my mind.”

“Sure would be!” Aurora added. “What about a sweets table for later?”

“Great idea!” Ella exclaimed, taking a sip of her coffee.

Once on the topic of desserts and weddings, we began talking more about Lorelai and Knox’s wedding. We also set a date to try on bridesmaid dresses, and by the time I left, we’d also set up our first girls’ night. Nothing big, just dinner and drinks, but it was something for the four of us to look forward to.

I satacross from Clay in the restaurant, the entire room bathed in dim candlelight. It was already dark, and we could see lights from the ships in the harbor. It was the prettiest view I’d ever seen.

I took a sip of my tea and took a bite of the chocolate fudge cake that had been recommended to me this afternoon.

“Well? What do you think?” Clay asked.

I opened my eyes and swallowed, savoring the sweet flavor of the cake.

“So good. Honestly, I’m glad Aurora mentioned this, otherwise I’d have ordered the lemon cake, and I think I’d have been disappointed.”

“There is no disappointment when it comes to cake.” Clay winked.

I dug my fork into the cake and took another mouthful. “You’re so right. There really isn’t.” I giggled.

“You have chocolate on the corner of your lip,” Clay added, pointing to his mouth.

I reached up and wiped at my lip, but Clay only smiled when I was finished.

“Lean forward. You missed.”

I leaned forward and Clay took his napkin and wiped away the chocolate.

“How did you enjoy dinner?” he questioned.

“I think it was the best meal I’ve ever eaten. I’ve never seen shrimp that size before, and the steak was so tender I could have cut it with my fork.”

“Yeah, the shrimp are crazy huge.” He winked.

“I just…I don’t understand why such an expensive place?” I questioned, not used to being treated like this.

“Well, first, get used to it. I know you’re feeling a little uneasy.” He winked.

I smiled. It made all the difference that he knew I was feeling uncomfortable.

“I wanted tonight to be special. We haven’t officially had a real, intimate evening out because of all the work that needed to be done getting you here. Now that you are here, I wanted to change that. I want to wine and dine my girl,” Clay said, placing his hand on mine.

“So, I need to get used to this?”

Clay nodded. “There is something else as well,” he said, swallowing hard.

He looked a little off, like he was nervous. He shifted in his chair and checked his right suit jacket pocket, then his left, then the breast pocket, a shocked look coming over his face as he frantically started searching.

“What is it?” I questioned, watching as he began panicking.

“Give me a second,” he said, getting up and heading out of the restaurant.

Minutes later, he returned and took a seat across from me and nodded to the server to bring us two more drinks.

“What were you going to say?” I asked, frowning. “Did you forget your wallet?”

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