Page 108 of A Certain Step
They strolled into the restaurant, hand in hand, and an older gentleman approached them at the door. “Welcome to Caro Amico. Table for two?”
“Yes, I should have a reservation under Ethan.”
The man looked at the notebook in front of him. “Ah, there you are. I see you.” He turned to the waitress standing by and handed her two menus. “Table seventeen on the patio,” he confirmed.
They sat down, and Willa peered up at him, brown eyes glinting with a hundred and one questions. She took his hand, skating her thumb across his knuckles. He was about to tell her the story when the waitress appeared to take their drink orders, to which they both asked for water.
Ethan clicked his tongue and laced their fingers together. “It’s kind of cheesy. But this is where my paternal grandparents and parents had their first dates.” He smiled, remembering his grandpa’s shining countenance as he told them the story. “I don’t know if he was joking about it, but Nick and I both sort of held on to this belief like it was some unspoken rule in our family.”
He wanted to capture the current look in Willa’s eyes in a photograph.
Ethan continued. “My grandpa believed this place was special. So, he said that we should only bring someone here when we’re certain they’re the one.”
Willa’s eyes welled up instantaneously. “Ethan…” she whispered, her voice low and reverential.
He leaned closer to her in the booth and cupped her cheek. “You were rightfully scared of giving us a chance, Wills; our jobs are full of unpredictability, but I’ve never been more sure about anything else than my feelings for you. You’reitfor me. You always will be,” he paused. “Plus, Caro Amico essentially translates todear friend—bestin my brain—and if that’s not some perfectly wild cosmic interference, then I don’t know what is. So, yeah, that’s why I wanted to bring you here.”
Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes. “You’re a dream. I don’t understand how any of this is real. But thank you for bringing me here. I love you with everything in me.”
He drew his lips to her forehead, staying there for a beat. He could swear he felt his grandparents watching over him like they were waiting and hoping for this moment.
He’d always felt particularly close to his grandpa but never quite understood how he’d always been happy until Ethan met Willa. Callum Everett was many things, but he was, first and foremost, a man who revered his wife. And now, at this very restaurant, Ethan fully understood the eminence of everlasting love.
Ethan’s insideswere in knots. He was so damn nervous that it was making him nauseous. What if she hated the surprise? What if she didn’t want it like this? But she’d love it. He knew she would. He knewher.Inside and out. Yet he couldn’t help the nerves simmering as they approached his family’s cabin.
Their date went perfectly.
But this. This was the moment he’d been waiting for.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the blindfolds. “Wills, I need a massive favor.”
“Name it, birthday boy.”
He passed the cloth to her. “Can you please put this on for me? I have a surprise for you.”
She rolled her eyes lovingly. “Need I remind you again that it’syourbirthday? You wouldn’t even let me pay at the restaurant!”
“Do you want to hear that cheesy line again about you being my greatest gift?”
She huffed dramatically and tied it across her eyes.
“Can you see?” Ethan asked.
Willa shook her head.
“Promise?”
“I swear it.”
“It’ll only be about a minute or so,” he added.
Taking a deep breath, he continued driving. He was positive that if she heard his heart pounding out of his chest, then she didn’t say anything. He was also thankful for Hozier blaring through the speakers.
He pulled up to the driveway and parked the car. “Don’t try to step out. It’s a little steep. I’ll get you.”
She nodded.
Ethan nearly jumped out of the car and opened the passenger door, guiding her out with his hands steadily around her elbows. When she was fully on the ground, he wrapped his arms around her shoulder and guided them toward the entrance.
