Page 72 of Give Me Forever

Chapter Eighteen

Avery

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Once I got home, Ilooked around. My heart was beating insanely fast.Is Sam already here? He said he’d meet me.

"Sam?" I called, but I got no answer.

A huge bouquet of flowers on the kitchen island caught my attention. He got my favorites—peonies. I practically ran toward the island, burying my nose in them and drawing in a deep breath. I couldn't believe he remembered these were my favorite flowers, or that he found them at this time of year. They weren't exactly in season.

I was so busy smelling them that I didn't notice he'd left a card for me. I looked at it greedily:Do you want to go out with me? If yes, then turn the card around.

I grinned, doing just that.

Come upstairs on the roof. Wear warm clothes.

Oh my God.He was waiting for me on the roof. I didn't even know we could use it.

I licked my lips, glancing at the card and the flowers and trying to judge if I would freeze my ass off if I went on the roof the way I was dressed. Yeah, I probably would. I was wearing a very thin sweater and a skirt with sheer tights, which had been fine for working indoors, but it wouldn't do for outside.

I ran toward my room, changing the sheer tights for wool ones. I also took off my oversized sweater and put on a nice top. It was definitely more of a summer outfit, but I paired it with an elegant sweater. I liked layering clothes in winter. Hurrying back to the living room, I put on my coat and a beanie.

I was giddy as I stepped out of the loft and headed up the fire escape. My heart seemed to thump harder with every step I took on the metal staircase, wondering what Sam was doing up here. Maybe we were just going to stargaze or something for a bit and then go back down. Although, he probably wouldn't have told me to dress in warm clothes if that was the case.

When I reached the rooftop, my jaw dropped. He'd arranged an outdoor date, complete with a firepit. "Oh my God, Sam. I can't believe this. A firepit?"

"I know you love it," he said. "And I charmed you that way once, so I thought it might work again.”

I was instantly transported to that night. It was in our senior year of high school. We went for a weekend in the mountains with our whole class. Our cabin had a fireplace, too, and when the others went out skiing, I pretended to be sick, and Sam pretended not to want to ski. We were seniors and good students, so our teachers felt confident leaving us alone. They shouldn't have because we did what teenagers do and got down and dirty right in front of the fire.

I grinned at him. "It definitely worked, yes."

He smiled brilliantly, even taking out his phone and playing romantic jazz music. My heart was so full that I was barely keeping myself in check. I felt the need to dance and jump him and kiss him all at once.

"Where did you get the firepit? And how are we even allowed here?"

"The firepit was easy. They’re for sale everywhere, especially at this time of the year. And you're right, we’re not allowed on the roof, but the owner was easily swayed."

I gaped at him. "Easily?"

"I have to say my charm works in unexpected ways."

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