“Thank you, and you look handsome.”
“I can’t believe tonight you’ll be walking into that party on my arm.”
“And it will be an honour,” she says. I’ve never taken a date with me to any of my company’s functions, preferring to keep my private life to myself, but things are different with her. She’s my future. I want to show her off to the world. “I’m wearing the earrings you gave me.”
“That reminds me.” Releasing her, I pull a thin rectangle shaped box from my pocket. “This is for you.”
“Logan,” she says, frowning. “You can’t keep doing this.”
“Yes, I can,” I reply with a grin. “Open it.”
It’s a tennis bracelet to match her earrings. The heart shaped diamonds form a continuous line, and are set into an almost invisible setting. She gasps the moment she opens the lid. “It’s beautiful! So, so beautiful.”
“It doesn’t hold a candle to you, my love.”
I see tears pooling in her eyes when they meet mine. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Taking it from the box, I drape it around her slender wrist and fasten it. “Perfect.”
“You’re perfect,” she replies.
“Hardly,” I say, placing a soft kiss on the tip of her nose. “Are you almost ready to leave? I told Claire I’d meet her there at six. She likes to go over all the arrangements with me before the guests arrive.”
“Just let me throw some things in my clutch and I’m ready.”
“Did you even hear a word I said?” Claire asks, frowning.
“Of course,” I reply, glancing over my shoulder once more. “Why would you say that?”
“You seem off tonight, or should I saypreoccupied.”
“I’m fine,” I lie, as I impatiently await Brooke’s return from the ladies room.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure,” I say, forcing a smile as I fidget with my bowtie.
“If you say so.”
My breath hitches the moment I see my girl appear in the doorway. It’s like déjà vu. My eyes dart to Claire.
She’s studying me intently. “Did you two have a fight?”
“Of course not.”
“I’ve been working with you long enough to know when something’s up.”
I look down at my watch, and see that the guests will be arriving soon. If I’m going to do this, it’s now or never. “Hold that thought,” I say as I leave her side and head in Brooke’s direction. Butterflies swarm in my stomach as I approach her. I wasn’t this nervous when I crossed the room to meet her a year ago, but I guess my entire future wasn’t on the line that night.
“Hey,” she says when I reach her.
Despite the nerves, I still can’t help but smile as I gaze into her beautiful brown eyes. “Hey.” Leaning forward, I brush my lips to hers as my hands reach for hers.
“Are you okay?” She pulls back to look at me. “You’re shaking.”
“I will be in a few minutes,” I reply. Well, I hope I will be. I give the DJ a small nod. “Dance with me.”
“Really?” she asks, beaming.