Page 77 of The Future Play

He wraps his arm around me and looks into my eyes. I love the height difference between us. Seven inches. So I always have tolook up a little, he always has to look down a little, which means there’s nothing to distract us, we’re focused wholly on each other.

“I don’t know. Whatdoesthe lucky girl think?”

“It’s perfect.”

“Good.” He brushes his lips over mine. “So, will you finally let me take you on a fancy date and spoil you?”

My cheeks heat and excitement whirls through me. “Yes. I’d love that.”

He sets the bouquet on one of the nearby tables and sweeps me into his arms for a kiss.

It’s swoony and romantic, like I’m living in a ’90’s rom-com.

I rest my hand on his cheek and get lost in the feeling that I’m his. That I’m wanted. That all this is for me. I’m always the one planning life’s special moments. It means a lot to have a special moment planned for me.

Laughing, I break our kiss. “You know, if you ever propose to me, you’re really going to have to kick it up a notch. You’re setting the bar high asking me on a date.”

“Not just any date.Thedate.” He sighs happily. “I’m excited to spoil you. You have to promise no complaints. No saying you don’t need or deserve things. You’re going to let me give you everything.”

“Everything?” I whisper, a little too sensually for this tiny bookshop.

His gaze intensifies, his smile morphing into a devastating smolder.

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

And just like that, I’m on fire for him.

“How’s this weekend sound? Friday night? Everyone will be in Charleston, and we can enjoy ourselves while they’re away.”

“Sounds perfect to me.” I look around the shop. “You did all of this to ask me out?”

He shrugs. “You deserve the best. And what’s better than mood lighting and abillion flowers?”

I look down at the drink in my hand. “And my favorite drink? How did you know?”

“You post a lot more than you realize on your social media.”

“You’re such a stalker.”

“Hasn’t led me wrong yet.”

“Mhm. We’ll just see how this date goes.”

“Trust me, you’re going to love it.”

I lean back a little so I can look up into his eyes. “How long have you been planning this date?”

He gives a little shrug. “Since the beginning or middle-ish of June.”

“Before the infamous event showdown?”

“That makes it sound a lot cooler than it was. Even though you were a total badass yelling at me like that. It was hot.”

“Jamie.”

“Yeah. Before that.”

I set my coffee down on the table and throw my arms around him. “I can’t believe you’ve been planning it for almost two months.”

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