It transformed me into the woman Dean said captivated him with a glance. Tingles spread throughout my chest and arms recalling the last time I wore it.
I quickly pulled on my dress and matching shoes. “Where to driver?” I asked Stella.
“Actually, while I am your driver,youare the one who has to figure out where to go.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will.” She handed me a folded piece of paper.
Opening it, Dean’s block print was unmistakable. I traced my name, savoring this tiny connection to him, before I read the first line.
Go to where we first sealed our deal. The place where we entered into our agreement to help each other.
Stella looked over my shoulder.
“It can’t be the hotel where we had the ball. We didn’t agree to anything but—” I quickly glanced at Stella. “Well, you know.”
She comically wagged her eyebrows, making me snort with laughter.
“Hmm.” Sealed the deal. “He mentioned ‘we’ and ‘our’. So it can’t be his office when he offered to help me.”
“Come on, Ash. It’s so easy.” Stella eagerly bounced from foot to foot.
I yelled like an old lady playing BINGO, “I got it! Our first date, Sofia’s.”
“Yes!” Stella grabbed my hand, and we raced out the door. I was fairly certain my sister had a hand in whatever Dean planned for today.
Bounding down the steps I held my dress out of the way. Energy crackled and raced through my body. My heart pounded at the thought of seeing Dean.
Stella clicked her car doors to unlock the second we were outside. She hurried over to the drivers side and slid in. She barely waited for me to yank my door open, get in, and attach my seat belt before she started the car and slipped in between traffic.
As we raced to the restaurant, well over five miles per hour of the speed limit—which for Stella was racing—I let out a sigh.
My sister glanced at me. “Hey what’s up?”
“It’s going to sound stupid.” I fiddled with the folds of my dress.
“Ash—” Her eyes grew wide. “Wait. Do you notwantto see Dean? I thought you still loved him.”
“I do, Stella. He burrowed his way into my heart so deep I don’t think I’ll ever get him out.”
“Then what is it?”
“You’re sure he wants to be with me?”
“Why would you ask that?” Stella asked, concern lacing each word.
“He’s walked away from me twice. I don’t think I could stand a third.”
“No one can deny he’s made mistakes. But that man worships you. He loves you so damn much. Trust me. This is all for you. He’s afraid you might be the one to turn him down.”
Nerves raced through me as I anticipated telling him I still loved him. Although at the rate Stella was driving, it would’ve been faster on foot.
By the time we reached the front of the restaurant, I threw my door wide open, barely waiting for the car to stop before I jumped out.
“He won’t be happy if I don’t get you there in one piece,” Stella yelled after me with a hint of humor to her words as I raced to the entrance.
I pushed the door open, frantically looking around for Dean.