Page 56 of The Lake House

“So, how was your day?” Declan asks as we make our way hand-and-hand down the street.

The area looks oddly familiar, but since I haven’t been back to Silver Mist in so long, I’m not quite sure where we are or exactly where he’s taking me. He said the place is not that far from here, but since it’s a busy night, we had to park a few blocks away. Which is fine with me because it’s another gorgeous night and I don’t mind walking at all.

I adjust the strap of my purse on my shoulder. “It was good. How was yours?”

He takes a moment before answering, and he does once we stop at the corner waiting on the light to change to red so we can cross the street. He turns to face me, never letting go of my hand, and then he grabs my other one so he’s holding both in his. “It was long... I couldn’t wait to see you, Giules.”

My heart stops at his words. I couldn’t wait to see him, either. Hell, I’d been counting down the minutes for God knows how long.

Our eyes search one another’s, and it’s like time stands still. It feels as though he’s getting ready to kiss me, and dammit, I want his lips on mine so badly. If he doesn’t kiss me before the end of the night, I’m going to make sure I do because I want him so much. I want to taste his full lips.

Letting go of my left hand, he pushes a strand of hair out of my face. “You’re so damn beautiful.” He leans slowly, and I match his movements leaning in, too. Our lips are so close to touching that I nonchalantly hold my breath and wait for them to meet.

And right as our lips touch and we kiss for the first time, the beeping of horns from cars in the street breaks the spell and kills the magic that we created.

“I guess we should cross the street now,” he says, as we reluctantly turn our bodies from one another and begin walking across the street.

“I guess so.” As we hit the next block and then make a left turn on it, I ask, “Where is it we’re going, anyways? This all looks so familiar to me, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. Idofeel like I’ve been here before, though.”

He lets out a small chuckle. “You may very well have been; it’s a very well-known spot around Silver Mist.”

We take a few more steps and then it dawns on me. “Oh, my goodness! Are we going to Chuck Larry’s?” I can hardly contain my excitement as the sign above the restaurant lit up in neon lights comes into view.

“We sure are!” he answers.

Oh my God, I can recall all the times my grandmother had told me about the stories of when she and grandpa started dating. As a matter of fact, I believe their first date was at Chuck Larry’s. Suddenly, the emotions from all the memories and the way I’m feeling for Declan tonight come rushing full force and my eyes well up with tears.

He turns to face me, and we stop in our tracks. “Hey, are you okay?”

I suck in a sniffle, not having realized that my watery eyes are causing the tears to stream down my face. “Yeah, yeah. I’m okay… it’s just that this place brings so much of my past back to life. I used to listen to my grandmother tell me all about this place and all the times she used to come here with my grandfather.”

The expression on his face quickly changes as he lets go of my hand. “Oh, no. I’m sorry. We don’t have to stay here if you don’t want… we can go someplace else…”

“No, no! It’s fine. I want to be here… with you.” Somehow, I manage to spit the last two words out without making it weird.

We search one another’s eyes, and dammit, if I don’t want to kiss him right now. I wish he would.

His lips break into a small smile and he whispers as he stares at my mouth, “Well then, let’s get going.” He grabs my hand once more and leads me inside the restaurant.

* * *

“She’s super excited. She’s spending the night with my sister. An all girl’s night.” Declan pushes back in his seat and stares directly into my eyes.

It’s been a wonderful evening so far, and we’ve just finished our meal. Now we’re sitting at the little table in the far left corner of the restaurant, finishing our wine.

Music fills our ears, and there’re plenty of couples out on the dance floor swaying to the sound.

“She must love that,” I respond.

Declan chuckles. “She does. Every chance she gets to be a girly-girl, she’s all for it.”

I let his words sink in and picture how difficult it must have been for him when his wife first took off and he was left all alone to raise his little girl. I know he had help—and lots of it—despite that, it couldn’t have been easy. I admire his strength and courage.

“Hey, what are you thinking about?” Declan says, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I smile. “Nothing much. I’m just still amazed at what a wonderful job you did raising your little girl.”

He chuckles softly. “I had a ton of help, thank God.”

---