Page 42 of Secret

My muscles cramp, as I push up the heavy weight for the tenth time before lowering it above my head and back into the holder. I sit up on the bench as Luke grins at me from the next bench.

"I've done five more than you, while I waited for you to finish."

"Shut the fuck up." I laugh, drinking some of my water as Luke laughs loudly.

We both get on the treadmill for half an hour before Elliot turns up.

"Hey, man," he says, heading straight for the punching bag, and then wraps his knuckles up before he starts punching the shit out of it. What the hell is he mad about?

"I'm off," I shout to Luke, who joins his brother with a wave at me. Elliot doesn't stop, but it's normal. After showering, I drive back home to get ready for my date tonight with Izzy. I really hope she likes it. I'm so nervous, it's crazy. With Allie’s help, I’ve planned for Allie to pick up Izzy and drive her to where our date will take place on the beach.

I head out after dressing in black trousers and a dark-blue shirt, which Seb said suits me. The fucker replaced most of my clothes over the years without my knowledge.

It's just getting dark as I arrive at the beach, and I park my car. I walk a few minutes down the beach to the small, beach café that has wooden decking all around, making it look like it’s floating on the sand. I've rented out the place for tonight, and they have done a great job with what I asked. The decking facing the beach is filled with little tea lights and a table with a light blue tablecloth is in the middle. There is a single rose in the vase on the table, and soft music is playing inside the empty café.

"Hey, man." I walk up to the middle-age owner who helped me do all of this. I was here earlier setting up all the candles and giving them the things to do this.

"Hello. I've left my best waitress and chef here for whatever you need. Please call me if there's any trouble." He smiles gently. My mom suggested this place because my dad took her once. I couldn’t think of a better place to take Izzy with her love of the sea.

"I'm sure there won't be, thank you again," I say, shaking the man’s hand, who seems surprised.

"You are a lucky man," he says, making me confused as he releases my hand and nods behind me. I turn around, and I'm met with the stunning sight of Izzy walking toward me. She is wearing a short, white dress, which shows off her amazing body, and her hair is flowing around her shoulders in a wave of white, just like I love it. I walk the last steps to meet her, and I shiver as our mouths meet.

"You look so beautiful, Izzy; I don't think I’ll ever forget how lovely you look tonight," I say honestly as she blushes. I love that I can make her fucking blush by telling her the truth.

"Blake," she sighs, rubbing her hands up my chest.

"So, Elizabeth, would you join me for a meal?" I ask a little more respectable than usual and wink at her.

"Of course, sir." She winks back at me.

"I think I like you calling me ‘sir,’" I whisper into her ear as I pull her to my side. She laughs again, and I know I'm falling in love with the sound of her laugh.

We sit down and soon after, we order drinks and our food.

"The view is so, well, there isn't a word to describe it," Izzy says, leaning across the table to hold my hand.

"I agree," I mutter, but my eyes are only for her; she is the only sight I need tonight.

We both eat in a comfortable silence, and eventually, we chat about normal day-to-day things. I've paid the bill already, so when we finish, and Izzy says she doesn't want dessert, we take a walk down the beach.

"I used to love coming to the sea with my mom," she says as we stop to sit down on the sand. The tide is coming in, but I’ve been told it’s safe for another hour.

"Well, would I sound like a stalker if I said I guessed the beach meant something to you?" I ask her.

"A little." She grins up at me.

"I saw your paintings in art class, of the beaches, and you were so happy here the other day when we came."

“How did you find this place?” she asks as she picks up a handful of sand, and I watch as it drifts between her fingers.

“My dad took my mom here on their first date, he actually asked her to marry him around here too,” I tell her, and her eyes widen a little.

"Thank you for bringing me here, and, well, for the whole night. It's perfect.” She smiles. “Like you,” she says as she leans up to kiss me. I wrap my hands around her waist, pulling her so that she is straddling me.

"Do you want to stay over at my house tonight? Allie said she would cover."

"I would like that," she says, pushing my hair out of my eyes a little.

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