“Yeah. She said she’s never had that before, so I figured it was time.”
“Definitely.” Her face grew serious, and she dropped her voice so Hannah wouldn’t hear her over the water running in the sink. “Hurt her again, and I will fuck you up, dude.”
Matt’s eyes widened at the threat. “I won’t.” She’d caught him off guard, even though he shouldn’t be surprised she threaten him again. She had before, after all.
Narrowing her eyes at him, she stared at him for several drawn-out seconds before nodding once. “Okay. Make sure you don’t.”
He looked up to see Hannah throwing him a quizzical look as she settled her gray pea coat around her shoulders, buttoned it closed, and wrapped an ivory scarf around her neck. He shrugged and gave her a smile. The rose he’d given her sat in a slim vase in the center of the dining table next to her. Walking up to him, she hooked her arm through his and tugged him toward the door.
“You two kids have fun. Don’t stay out too late.”
Hannah stuck out her tongue at Elena. “Sure thing, Mom. Same to you.”
Matt chuckled and held the door for Hannah, taking her hand to walk down the stairs and out to his truck.
“What was that about in there with Elena?”
“Nothing.” He shrugged again. “She wanted to warn me of the consequences of hurting you again.”
She huffed, half laugh, half exasperation. “Sorry about that. I’ll talk to her and tell her to lay off.”
“It’s not a big deal. She gave me the same sort of warning the summer we met. She’s protective of you. It’s not a bad thing.” He held her door open for her to climb into the truck, giving her a hand up to steady her in her heels. When he got in on his side, she’d let it go.
“So where are we going? You’ve been holding out on me.” Her voice held equal parts excitement and frustration, her narrowed eyes just visible under the fluorescent lights of the parking lot.
He chuckled. “You really want to know? You don’t want to be surprised?”
Sucking in a breath, she held it in while she considered her answer, then let it out in a whoosh, shaking her head. “No. Just tell me. It’s been killing me all week that you’ve been so secretive about it.”
“Fine.” He laughed again at her eagerness. “We’re going to Chateau de Provence. Have you been there before?”
She shook her head. “No. It sounds fancy.”
“It’s great, you’ll love it. The food is delicious, and they change the menu with the seasons so it’s always fresh. The owners are French.”
“Sounds like you’ve been there a lot.”
He glanced over at her while he drove. She had her lower lip between her teeth like she was nervous. “Just once. But their website is full of information. I looked at it while I was on hold to make the reservation. We got lucky. They only had a few spots left. And they’re doing a Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu that sounds really good.” When he glanced at her again, she was biting at her thumbnail. “Hey. What’s wrong? I thought you’d be excited.”
Her hand fell to her lap as she turned to face him. “No, no, I am. It sounds lovely. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
She shrugged, an unreadable look on her face. “I just feel kind of bad, you know? You got me a gorgeous rose and now you’re taking me out to dinner at an expensive restaurant. I didn’t get anything for you, and you’re spending all this money on me.” Her hands fluttered in her lap, worrying the edge of her coat.
He reached over and covered her hand, finding her palm with his, and lacing their fingers together. “Hey. Don’t worry about it. I want to do this. I like getting to take you out to a fancy restaurant and buy you gifts.” Based on this, he was a little worried how she’d react when he gave her the necklace that sat nestled in a little velvet pouch in his pocket. He’d picked out a silver pendant, a flower mandala design on a slim silver chain, from one of Megan’s friends in the art department who made jewelry. Megan had a few pieces her friend had made—the ring she wore on her thumb, a couple of bracelets, and a necklace—and she’d hooked him up when Matt had told her he wanted to get jewelry for Hannah. He hoped she’d like it.
He also hoped she’d react well when he told her he loved her. That he wanted her to wear the necklace as a way to have him with her when they were apart—a reminder of his love. It sounded sappy, but he couldn’t help it. This girl had him heart, body, and soul. He had no intention of letting her go, and this seemed like the perfect time to tell her. He just hoped she felt the same way.
She smiled at him, her worry seeming to ease a bit, and they rode the rest of the way to the restaurant in silence. They were led right to their table and ordered drinks—a beer for him and a Lemon Drop for her—while looking over the menu options.
“I’m going to do their prix fixe menu with the steak and raspberry ganache torte for dessert. What are you thinking of getting?”
Hannah’s eyes were wide. The dim lighting made her pearly skin seem to glow, the warmth from the oil lamp on their table casting a golden hue on her complexion, making her eyes a deep forest green. “Everything’s so expensive.” Her eyes darted around, and she leaned closer to make sure he could hear her whisper. “Are you sure? I could just get the chicken.” She made a face when she looked down, and he could tell that she’d noticed that the chicken dish she referred to cost
