Page 53 of The Game Plan
“Reese, this is—” Her words ended on a gasp when she saw golden balloons that spelled out ‘Happy Birthday’ floating nearby; the balloons were attached to a makeshift wall draped in white fabric, soft-white lights adding to the romantic atmosphere.
She turned to him and placed her hands on his cheeks to kiss him.
When she pulled away, he asked, “So, I guess you like it?”
“It’s amazing, thank you.”
He motioned for her to head for the table, and a gentleman appeared to take the flowers from her seat. Reese moved behind her chair to pull it out for her, helping her get settled before taking his own seat. He grabbed the champagne from a bucket next to the table and stood, popping the cork away from them before he grabbed the flutes to pour. Tucking the bottle back in its frigid home, he held his glass out to her.
“Cheers.”
She tapped hers against his and took a sip, setting the glass down when the same gentleman appeared again, this time with their appetizers.
A beautiful crab salad with cucumber sat on the plate, the faint aroma of the citrusy dressing reaching her nose.
“This smells divine,” she said, taking a bite. “And tastes even better.”
She glanced up to see the gentleman lean out to look, then disappear behind the giant fake wall that hid the kitchen.
“How did you know I liked peonies?” she asked, taking another bite.
“I might have checked out your Instagram since I follow you. Plus, I talked to Carrie. She was very informative.”
She covered her face with her hands. “Please tell me she didn’t tell you anything embarrassing.”
She peeked through her fingers at his laugh. “I asked her about your likes and dislikes only so that nothing you didn’t like ended up on the menu. And any allergies. The last thing we need is a trip to the emergency room on your birthday.”
She pulled her hands away from her face, and her smile returned, doing her best to ignore the way her stomach fluttered with nerves. No one had put this much effort into her in a long time, and she was so surprised and truly happy.
“Did you learn anything else in your quest for information?” she asked, clearing the plate of the small salad.
“I did.” He set his fork down. “You hate mushrooms. You love coffee. You had the biggest crush on Chad Kroeger when you were eleven, and you still love Nickelback to this day.”
“I don’t understand the hate that Nickelback gets, I really don’t,” she commented, sending them both into laughter.
“Me too,” Reese replied, setting his elbows on the table.
The second course arrived, and her mouth watered at the lobster with steak filet medallions on the side in a play on surf and turf.
“Oh my God,” she whispered, leaning over to him. “This is amazing.”
He leaned in. “Isn’t it? Just like you.”
She blushed and looked down at her food to take another bite as they fell into silence.
It feels so different. But it’s so nice.
Hanging onto that feeling, she asked, “So, are you going to ask me?”
His hazel eyes met hers, and he motioned to the decorations. “Is this not asking?”
She shrugged. “It could be considered asking, but it’s nice to hear the words.”
He smiled, and her stomach flip flopped at the sight. “Okay.”
He set his fork down and reached across the table to take her hand in his. “Sutton Cooke, will you officially be my girlfriend? No more fake dating. Let’s give the real thing a shot.”
She stared at him for a moment, then smiled.