Page 84 of Last Chance Seduction
I made my way downtown, parking behind my mom’s bookshop.I was grateful for that space since there was no other parking around, and I walked the two blocks to the restaurant.There were tons of other places to go closer to us, but Duke’s favorite place happened to be a steakhouse by his work.
When I got there, the hostess quickly took me to where Duke was seated, and the love of my life stood up and wrapped his arm around my waist.
“There you are.I’ve been waiting for you.”He brushed his lips against mine, and I sank into him.
I loved everything about this man.His kind eyes, the way that they crinkled at the edges when he smiled because he laughed so much.I loved his blond hair, a running joke in our family since most of the men in my life were all brown haired, and apparently the favorite hot celebrities weren’t usually blond.
However, mine always had been.I blame Legolas fromLord of the Ringswhen I had been a kid.It just is what it is.
When Duke lifted up my hand and brushed his lips along my ring finger, right underneath my engagement ring, I blushed.
“I’m really enjoying my new jewelry.Though my hand’s quite heavy now.”
Duke threw his head back and laughed.“That’s what I like to hear.Come on, take a seat.I ordered us your favorite sparkling wine.But we can change it if you want.”
“That sounds perfect.”He knew what I liked and ordered ahead, but never in an overbearing way.I liked being able to just relax after a long day in the gardens.
“I did not order any appetizers, because I have no idea what you want when it comes to food.Wine?I’m your man.Not so much with the apps.”
I fluttered my eyelashes.“Considering I change my mind every single time we come here, that makes sense.”
“And they have specials.So who knows.”
I settled into the booth next to him, leaning against his shoulder.
Things just felt good.
We had new bids at the worksite, and while my hands were covered in minor cuts, and no matter what I did, it felt like I always had dirt under my fingernails thanks to my job, I loved what I did.
Everything was finally coming to fruition, all of our hard work, and all of my hopeful plans.
Life truly couldn’t get better than this.
“Well there’s a familiar face.”
I looked up at that rough, growly voice and rolled my eyes “Hello Reece.”My coworker who I got along with but sometimes couldn’t stand because he was bossier than my dad and uncles stood there with his girlfriend, Anya.They looked like they’d walked off the runway.Okay, she did.He was a little too rugged and menacing for that.
“Reece, good to see you,” Duke said as he stood up.“Thanks for your help on that one project by the way.”
“It was no big deal.Haven’t seen you in here in a while.”
My fiancé hugged Reece and I slid out of the booth to hug Anya tightly.I knew Reece and Anya had been together for a little while, though I didn’t know her well.It wasn’t as if Reece brought her to work.And she rarely came to work parties as she had a full-time job that took her out of the country often.
“It’s so good to see you and congratulations!”Anya said as she held up my hand.“You did good, Duke.”
Duke shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips.“I’ll have you know that I asked a Montgomery woman for help on this.I am not going to lie about that.”
“That makes sense.We women know our jewelry,” Anya teased.
Reece blinked at me, then down at my ring finger.“I didn’t know.When did this happen?”
I couldn’t help the bright smile on my face as I wiggled my fingers so the ring caught the light.“Yesterday.I’m surprised it didn’t hit one of your group chats.”
Reece snorted.“I’m only involved in one Montgomery family group chat, and every time I try to leave it, somebody adds me back in.And nobody mentioned it in that one, nor the work one.”
I snorted.“We enjoy teasing you with family things.Just because you growl a lot.And I’m sorry we didn’t tell you.”
“Whatever.Congrats to you both.Seriously.But I have to ask.How many family group chats are there?”Reece asked.
