Page 28 of Perfect Strangers

I sip the drink, contemplating when I should bring up that specific topic and dive right into my secret. Should I tell him the whole story about Atlantic City and everything? Or just tell him about Crew? He’s going to want to know why I did what I did. And the truth is…I thought I knew but now I don’t.

I don’t have a good enough reason for why I’ve kept it a secret and that scares me. Time to just suck it up and spit it out.

Before I could muster up the courage, Major chimes in. “So, your friend, that was with you a couple weeks ago at Luce del Sole, I saw her again.”

My eyes grow wide with hesitation. “You did?”

Major nods as he bites into his beef. “Yeah, I think she was with her husband. They came into the restaurant again. They seem like a nice couple. She was very nice and gave my waitress a generous tip.”

I drink my champagne, wanting to just chug it, but I force myself to relax. Now’s the moment to speak up.

“Yeah, she is a great friend. It’s funny that you bring her up. I was just at her house before I came here.”

“Oh really, for what?”

I gulp. “Her daughter had a ballet recital and Juliette, my friend, is a dancer as well. She choreographed the recital and it was this whole major event tonight. They performed Swan Lake.”

“Ahh, so that’s why you look so beautiful tonight. All dressed up for the ballet.”

I catch his stare and he winks at me with ease and flirtation. Heat rises to my cheeks as I brush away a stray strand of hair away from my face, and tuck it behind my ear.

Major stands, taking my empty plate. “Ready for dessert?”

He stands above me, reaching out for my hand. “Uh, yea but why are we standing?”

“Must you always ask so many questions? Just follow me.”

He blows out the candles and I follow him toward the kitchen. He places our dirty dishes in the sink and we head further into the back, into a dark hallway.

“Uhh, Major?”

A deep chuckle escapes from him as he grabs my hand and enter into a dark space. He shuts the door behind us and he guides me up a stairwell. I feel for him and place my hand on his shoulder, letting him guide me up the steps. We descend upon a steel door as Major pushes it open and pulls me outside onto a rooftop.

I gasp with astonishment as the rooftop is completely decked out with lights all around. A trail of lights twinkle across the sky towering from one end to the other. Even though it’s chilly out, I don’t feel cold by the slightest. Major guides me to the center of the roof as I see another silver dome.

“Major, this is gorgeous. Did you do all this?”

He shrugs nonchalantly. “Ehh, no big deal. Piece of cake.”

“I didn’t know your restaurant had a rooftop.”

“We don’t. This is actually the rooftop of next door. Our spaces share a connected stairwell and my neighbors let me come up here tonight. I don’t do this stuff on the regular.”

He guides me to a love seat as we sit side by side. He uncovers the dome, displaying a decorated plate of strawberry cheesecake and chocolate mousse cake.

He smiles, “See…piece of cake.”

I laugh at his small joke. “Ha-ha, that was kind of corny.”

He smirks, “Y

eah, you’re right. That was pretty lame.”

Major passes me a fork allowing me to slice into my cakes and bite into the delectable deliciousness. The smooth creamy cheesecake fills my mouth and I moan as I savor every inch. Major slices into his piece of chocolate mousse and licks his lips. I catch myself staring as he licks his fork. Hot damn, this man is freakin hot.

Major peeks at me and I look away, hoping he didn’t catch me staring, so I stuff my face with cheesecake. My cheeks fill with the pastry filling and I can only imagine I must look like a chipmunk right about now.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Major holding in his laughter as I swallow the huge piece of cake. I slap his shoulder just as he bursts into laughter. “Not funny!”

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