Page 23

TWENTY-THREE

Rowan

Date night.

I don’t know what that means.

Obviously, I understand the words and what it’s supposed to mean, but how does it translate to Blake and me? We’re in Vegas, and the boys lost last night. It was a close game, 2-1, but one bad bounce gave the hometown team the advantage. There was practice this morning, and then everyone was warned not to party. It’s Vegas, after all. I’m sure half the team will listen. The other half, well, it’s a crap shoot.

So that’s why I was surprised when Blake told me it was date night.

He also told me the destination was a surprise but that I didn’t have to dress up.

Which is why I’m standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom wondering if I look okay. It’s usually in the eighties during the day but the temperature drops considerably in the evening, so black jeans and a pretty top seem like the right choice. At least, I hope so since he won’t tell me where we’re going or what we’re doing.

I dab some gloss on my lips and fluff my hair.

This is as good as it’s going to get.

I slide my feet into a pair of cute flats, which is all I brought other than flip flops and the tennis shoes I wear for work. Then I head down to the lobby. We’re meeting at the hotel next door since we don’t want to be seen getting into a cab or Uber together, and I walk through the lobby, excited butterflies dancing around my chest.

I hate dating, but this is different.

This is Blake.

There isn’t going to be any getting-to-know-you small talk. No concerns about whether or not he’ll make a move on me—I know he will and can’t wait—and I already know we can talk about anything and everything.

“Hey.” He smiles as I join him in front of the hotel, where he motions for a cab.

We get in and head to the Strip, since we’re staying on the far end.

“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “Nope. Just relax.”

He puts an arm around my shoulders as we pull away and then leans in to brush his lips across mine.

“You look pretty.”

“Thank you.” I playfully run my hand down the front of his button-down shirt. “I like you in a dress shirt.”

“You see me in a dress shirt at every game,” he protests.

“Yeah, but that’s a full-on suit. This is… more casual. And a lot sexier.”

He chuckles. “Well, if you find it sexy, I’ll wear them more often.”

“Well…” I drop my voice to a conspirative level. “I like you naked the best, but I can live with the shirt.”

His lips find mine again, though we keep it chaste since we don’t need to put on a show for the driver.

“Dinner first, and then your surprise.”

“I’m curious and excited.”

He grins. “We’re going to Beauty and Essex for dinner. From there we can walk to your real surprise.”

Dinner is wonderful, but not knowing the surprise is killing me.

He knows I’m terrible when it comes to secrets and surprises, so he’s doing this on purpose. But it’s fun, and I love the fact that he remembers so many little things about me. He’s working hard to show me that he’s invested in whatever this is between us, which is both wonderful and scary. If I wasn’t having so much fun, I’d definitely be overthinking all of it, but I am so I won’t. At least, not now.

And I’m still confused when we get to our destination after dinner.

He has a shit-eating grin and as we approach a check-in area, I realize what’s happening.

“Oh my god. Blake!” I stare at him. “Are we… did you… are we going on a helicopter ride?!”

“Yup.”

“But how…” I don’t want to ask him how he could afford that since I know it’s expensive.

“Surprise.”

“Blake, this is so cool!” Since we’re already here, and there’s no point in being a jerk, I put the cost out of my mind and let excitement take over.

“Yeah?” His eyes meet mine with a combination of enthusiasm and concern, as if he’s not completely sure I’m happy about this.

“You remembered!” I whisper, throwing my arms around his neck.

We’d talked about taking a helicopter ride when we were in high school, and it was one of the top five items on our bucket lists. I just hadn’t gotten around to it.

“Of course, I remembered.” He presses his lips to mine.

“Blake, how did you…” I cut myself off. I’m not going to embarrass him by asking about his financial situation. Not now. “Let’s go.”

Flying in a helicopter is everything I could have dreamed of. The Strip is lit up since it’s dark out, and it’s absolutely breathtaking.

The fountain at the Bellagio.

The Formula One Pit building.

The Sphere.

Downtown.

Some of the best parts of Las Vegas, from an aerial view.

He’s so getting laid tonight.

Not that there was ever a question of that, but I should probably let him do butt stuff or something.

“This is amazing,” I gush, leaning over to kiss him.

“It’s pretty cool, right?”

“Oh, yeah. Definitely in the top three things I’ve ever experienced.”

“Top three?” he asks.

“Well, number one is Greece. I went there a few summers ago and it was truly the trip of a lifetime. The sunset in Santorini is magical…”

“And number two?”

“The Christmas market in Strasbourg.”

He’s thoughtful for a few seconds. “Okay, I think that’s fair. What’s next on your bucket list now that this is checked off?”

“Paris.” I grin.

“Still your number one destination for your honeymoon?”

“Yup.”

He laughs. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Oh, for the love of everything holy… why does he say shit like that?

Like we may get married someday.

Like we’re going to find a way to make this work.

Even though we’re sneaking around.

Even though he’s probably not staying in L.A.

Even though we’re fucked if he does stay.

That just makes me sad, though, so I lean against him and stare out at the magical view that’s coming to an end.

This is absolutely my number one date ever.

I still love Greece and Strasbourg, but those were vacations. I’ve never been on a date like this, and it makes me ridiculously happy.

“Tonight,” I whisper, “you can do anything you want to me.”

His eyes turn to liquid fire.

“Don’t I already?”

“Maybe, but tonight you get carte blanche.”

“Baby, I don’t need carte blanche—I only want to do things that make you feel good.”

“Everything we do together feels good.”

“That’s why I don’t need anything more.”

I am one thousand percent falling in love with him all over again.

Maybe I never stopped.

Maybe memories of what we had is what’s kept me from letting anyone get that close. I probably fooled myself by saying I’m busy, cautious, haven’t met the right guy. And all of those things could be true. But the bigger truth is that no one else has ever been Blake. Even as hurt and angry as I’ve been over the years, I’ve also never forgotten the good times. How it feels when he touches me. What it’s like when we’re just hanging out, when it’s carefree and comfortable and… real.

That’s what it boils down to.

Sometimes romance is all fantasy.

Blake is the only guy I’ve ever been with who can combine the fantasy with reality. There have definitely been hard times—really bad ones—but the good seems to make up for them.

Tonight is no exception.

This is a night I’ll never forget.

As I stare down at the beautifully lit up city below, I try to memorize every detail. I’ve taken a bunch of pictures, but nothing will come close to what it looks like in person. How it feels to soar above the buildings and chaotic traffic and throngs of tourists. It’s glorious and ethereal, like floating. Watching. Taking it all in.

I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced anything quite like it—or if I ever will again.

Our fairy tale helicopter ride comes to an end too soon, but I don’t feel disappointment as he slides his hand into mine and we walk toward the exit. I’m eternally grateful I got to experience it. With him. An evening I’ll never forget.

His phone rings, snapping me out of my reverie, and I see him frown as he glances at it.

“Not tonight, Dad. Thanks for playing.” He pushes the button that I assume will send the call to voicemail and sticks the phone back in his pocket.

“What if it’s important?” I ask gently.

“If it’s truly important, my mom or Phoebe would call. And honestly, I’m having too good of a time to let my dad spoil it.”

“Well, thank you,” I say sincerely. “Tonight was absolutely magnificent. I have never, and probably will never again, enjoy a date as much as this one.”

“Challenge accepted,” he says solemnly.

“It’s not meant to be a challenge.” I stop walking and turn to face him, trying to decide how much to say. How vulnerable to make myself. But there’s no holding back. Not anymore. He deserves to know the truth. Both good and bad. “You are the love of my life, Blake. I don’t know if we’re going to make it work considering all the obstacles, but nothing can change the fact that there’s never been anyone else for me. And believe me, I’ve tried.”

His face softens and he puts one of his big, warm hands on the side of my face. “Ditto. I tried so hard to forget you, to pretend that we were just a couple of hormonal teenagers. That adult love has to be different. Better . Something we were missing as kids. But it’s not. Not even close.”

I stare up into pale blue eyes and realize no matter what happens, I’m in this until the end. Whether it’s until the end of the season, just the summer, or the rest of our lives, there’s no way I’m missing out on spending more time with him. If my heart gets broken again, well, I’ll survive. There’s simply no choice.

It’s always been Blake.

And there’s no point fighting it anymore.