Page 127 of Every Bit As Perfect
Something ready to embrace love, and life, and wishes.
If Hunter had a choice, I would love my life, perhaps not as wildly as he did, but I would take the leap into the beautiful abyss that awaited me on the other side of forgiveness.
Every epic love story requires a leap of faith.
This would be mine.
Returning from the beach, Daire herded me into the shower where his plans to warm me up quickly evolved into something else entirely where his penchant for picking me up came in more than handy.
But also left us with little time to get ready and make our reservation at Ayana’s.
Ayana’s, a candlelit winter wonderland all year long, was the most romantic restaurant in Mistlevale.
“Are you ready?”
“Almost,” I replied.“Should we just stay home?”
“No,” he replied adamantly.“I’ve been wanting to take you on a proper date for months.”
“I’ll make it worth your while,” I teased.
“I have a present for you.”
“I’m ready,” I declared.
He chuckled.“I thought you might be.”
Walking hand-in-hand down the street in Mistlevale, the wind nipping at our faces, we perused the window displays Mistlevale was famous for.With Halloween over, they had fully morphed into their Christmas best.
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured, squeezing his fingers.“I love this place so much.”I eyed the gift bag swinging nonchalantly from Daire’s fingers.“Are you going to tease me with that all night?”
“No,” he shook his head.“Not at all.As soon as we order, I’ll give it to you.”
Walking to the coat check at the back, Ayana’s granddaughter Shae took our things.
“How’s Mistlevale treating you, Shae?”I asked with a smile.
Having grown up in Sage Ridge, a couple of years ahead of me in school, we knew each other well from being on the swim team.
With her height and perpetually swinging blond ponytail, one she wore even now, she fit the aesthetic and wasn’t forced to ride the bench.But it was only on the outside.Even then she had no time or patience for the Brady Bunch.
When her dad passed away from cancer, she moved up to Mistlevale to live with her grandmother until she went away to university, and we lost touch.
This was not the first time I’d run into her since she returned a couple of years ago and I reminded myself yet again to get together with her to catch up.
She looked like she could use a friend, and I’d always liked her.
“Good.”She smiled then jerked her chin up at Daire before returning her attention to me with a cheeky grin.“Not as good as Sage Ridge is treating you, I suspect.”
Daire smiled easily and accepted our coat tags.“I do my best.”
She nodded and winked at me.“See that you do.”
I pulled out my cell phone and handed it to her.“Here, give me your number.We keep saying we’re going to catch up, but we never do.”
Her face lit up.“I’d love that.”She typed in her information and sent herself a quick text.“There.I’ve got you now, too.”
“Enjoy your meal,” she said, then whispered my name harshly as soon as Daire turned the corner into the restaurant.
