Turning her attention to browse seriously for a moment, she lowered her hand once more and stroked along his wrist, “I think I might get the poached salmon. That sounds tasty.” She replied flicking her gaze upwards. Noticing his stares, she looked from side to side before she bit her bottom lip and leaned in again; whispering, “Penny for your thoughts?”
Smiling to himself, he glanced down and wet his lips, “I’m thinking that I was lucky to find you. You’re…so incredible, but you don’t even know it. I don’t think I’ve met someone who could be my best friend on this kind of level, but also my lover. You’re really out of my league, you know that?” he asked.
She tilted her head softly to the side. The way his hand squeezed hers was like to the way her heart felt in her chest. Slowly, the corners of her mouth lifted. While the sun slowly lowered to the horizon, Cherish couldn’t keep her eyes from him. The view outside wasn’t nearly as mesmerizing.
Just as she was about to crack a soft joke about how they weren’t lovers yet, he leaned in closer against the table and felt fully aware of the situation, “The way we met was insane, but it worked out so well. I never thought I could be this happy again.” He shook his head before his brows dipped. Hardly able to believe it, “Happy birthday, Cherish.” He whispered.
Breaking into a full smile, she slowly lifted the glass of water to her lips and took a sip. Her gaze never left his before she sipped and lowered it, “Thank you, so much Simon. I would tell you how much you mean to me, but I think you already have the idea. I’d rather show you now.” She whispered smiling at the delight in his face.
The waitress broke their conversation as she returned with the champagne and the flirtatious air between them settled. Ordering their food, they bantered as usual, never ran out of things to say to one another, and flirted shamelessly for forty-five minutes. Entertaining Simon’s perversion, Cherish’s fingers played with his for most of the night.
Halfway through their meal, she leaned back against the chair and twirled the fork between her fingers, “So, where do you see yourself in five years? Don’t hold back.”
Simon’s ego was boosted because he had a good feeling they’d go all the way after dinner. His eyes flicked up while he pretended to think of an answer for her, “Hmm I’ll say on top of you making another Jr. We’ll call him “Jr. Jr.” he said.
Her eyes narrowed, and her mouth gawked open at him with a laugh. She quickly placed a napkin over her mouth and glanced behind her, “You are ridiculous!” she retorted with inflection.
“That was only a half joke.” He added while finishing his champagne.
With her eyebrow arched, she pursed her lips together, “I’m almost scared to ask which part you were joking about.” She stated in a matter-a-fact tone.
He continued to eye her with a smirk, “I see myself married. Maybe more kids since the twins will be starting school. Hopefully I’ll have my own firm by then because I’d really like to make a legacy for my kids to inherit. Go on big vacations every year anywhere we want in the world. Exotic places…” his finger ran along hers suggestively, “…doing exotic things.” He murmured.
Married, he saw himself married which only meant one person. Cherish clenched her jaw tightly before clearing her throat and following suit with her own drink. As he blatantly made another pass at her, she could feel deep down in her soul that she would lay down her body with him if he didn’t stop. Instead, she rolled her eyes in an over exaggerated manner and focused on another aspect of his answer, “We?” she asked softly.
Her eyelashes lifted over her brown eyes as the atmosphere quieted between them. Inhaling a deep breath, she was about to put out on the line that she would’ve loved to marry him as well, until she saw the door open behind him and Susan stepped within. Her mouth dropped slightly as she felt a bout of awkwardness fall over her shoulders. This woman was dressed in a manner which caused Cherish to feel like a paper bag. Her clothing, alike to Simon’s, was that of quality.
The air around Susan commanded respect and Cherish felt off the moment her gaze landed on the blonde. Those sharp, blue eyes of hers stared into her before realizing Simon sat across from the nuisance. She smirked slightly as Cherish’s gaze faltered and she approached them.
Cherish rolled her mouth to the side and felt as though this night had just been knocked down a peg. She shifted uncomfortably as Susan rested her fingertips lightly on Simon’s shoulder and gave an award-winning smile, “Simon! What are the odds?”
Just when he was about to ask what it was, he was surprised by an all too familiar voice. Out of all places, she was there? Looking up, he couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason or why, but their mood lowered into discomfort, “Susan? Hello, we weren’t expecting to see you here.” He replied.
Susan tucked a bit of blonde hair behind her ear, “Oh, I was referred here with a couple of friends for the night. It’s amazing to see you, this place is great. The food here is wonderful…” She then lowered a look across the table and stared down at Cherish, “Hi, Cherish right? How…nice to see you here as well. Having dinner without the kids?” she asked.
Cherish rubbed back of her neck nodding, “Yes. Simon’s parents gave us a break.”
Susan cleared her throat as she glanced between them, “Oh…” she then pointed to Cherish looking to Simon for an answer, “…is she still
