Page 47 of The Lake House

I smile back. “That, my friend, was exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. What should I wear?”

Liv smiles harder than I’ve ever seen her smile before. “Oh, don’t you worry… I got you.”

ChapterSeventeen

DECLAN

“Wow,” I breathe out as I take in the vision of Giuliana when she opens her door.

The day has finally arrived, and I’m standing on her doorstep, picking her up for our date. She’s breathtaking in a short floral sundress and open-toe sandals.

She smiles and looks down as she tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Then she looks back up at me and that smile is killing me. Fuck, she’s so damn beautiful.

I swallow hard and then remember what I’m supposed to do next. “Oh, these are for you.” I hold out the bouquet of flowers I had picked up for her. Just like I promised myself I would do, I had a humongous arrangement of flowers put together. I think I succeeded by the look on her face as she takes them.

“Oh, my God, Dec… these are gorgeous. Thank you.”

I smile back, pleased. “You’re very welcome.”

I want to tell her their beauty is nothing compared to her, that no matter how beautiful she may really think they are, nothing is as gorgeous as she is right this second. As the light from the sun setting hits her rosy cheeks and the swish of the wind blows through her hair, nothing is worthy of her beauty.

“Ready to go?” I ask to break the silence that has fallen upon us.

She nods. “Yes, definitely. Let me just put these in water and grab my purse.”

She spins around and heads back inside her house. Then, just a few minutes later, she comes back out; a black pocketbook sits on her left shoulder. “Okay, now I’m ready.”

Even just a week ago, I never imagined I’d hear her say those words to me. I mean, I’m thankful for it and so happy that we’re going to be spending some time together. I just didn’t think there was even a chance for me to show her just how much I want to be with her.

I smile. “Great, let’s go.”

We walk off her porch and head toward my car. Once we’re both settled inside, I start it up and then pull out from the parking spot. Her sweet-scented perfume fills my nostrils; she smells amazing. “We honestly could have walked there, but I think I’ll park a little closer to it and then, if you don’t mind, we can get out and walk the rest of the way.”

I see her nodding from my peripheral. “I don’t mind at all. It’s beautiful out tonight.”

I agree. It’s the perfect night and I don’t think it can possibly get any better right now.

“So that brings me to the one thing I’ve been wondering since we set this date up,” she says.

“What’s that?” I ask.

“Where are you taking me?”

I chuckle to myself. “You’ll see. You’ll see.”

* * *

Her expression as we reach our destination is priceless. I love seeing her light up as the lights and attractions from the fair grab her attention immediately.

As we walk through the entrance, I say, “I know you’ve already been here since you’ve gotten back, but I figured it would be a perfect place for a night out.”

She nods, unable to hide her smile. “Yeah, I agree. It is perfect.”

I’m relieved she feels the same way. “Cool, are you hungry?” We pass by a few games and an ice cream stand.

“I’m famished.”

We walk some more, passing crowds of couples and teenagers, hoping to get into some mischief for the night. I remember when that used to be me, long ago. But it was always harmless.

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