“It’s almost seven o’clock. You don’t need to wait too much longer.”
I put a hand over my chest, trying to calm my racing heart. If I don’t, it might burst out of my chest. A bloody mess, that’s all I need to be on this wonderful date. My thoughts are interrupted by the knocking at the door.
“Oh my God.” I grab Millie hard. “He’s here.”
21
Brock
I suck in a deep breath as the door swings open and I see a true vision of beauty in front of me. Jodi is breathtaking. She’s gorgeous, especially today, with her hair all styled like that and her lovely dress on.
“Wow, you look amazing.” I run my eyes up and down her body, pausing to focus on her bump. God, I love that bump. I can’t wait until the time when she finally lets me touch it, to feel our baby in there.
“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself. I like your suit. You’re very fancy. What do you have planned?”
“I’m taking you to Caesar’s Palace, to the restaurant there if that’s okay with you?”
“But it’s so expensive! You can’t take me there! That’s far too posh for me. Plus, isn’t that the enemy?”
“Okay, that’s fine. Do you want to go somewhere else? I’m good with whatever you want to do. Also, there is no enemy. Competition, maybe, but I want to take you somewhere other than my place for a treat.”
She breathes in sharply a couple of times before nodding. “No, it’s okay. That sounds good to me.”
I hold out my arm for her to take it. “You don’t have to worry—there’s still no pressure. Just a casual date.”
“You can’t have a casual date where you’re taking me, but we’ll give it a go.”
She waves behind her, which is when I notice Millie there. I shoot her a grateful smile, knowing that none of this would be possible if it hadn’t been for her. She came to yell at me, not knowing how I’d react, and if she hadn’t have done that, I wouldn’t have ever pulled my head out of my ass. I’ll have to find a way to thank her properly someday.
But now isn’t the time. I let the girls say their farewells, and we head outside toward the car.
“A limousine?” She cocks an eyebrow at me. “Are you serious? This isn’t casual, is it?”
“I know. But I want to spoil you. I want to make up for everything I’ve done wrong.”
“You don’t need to. I’m not going to punish you. This is a fresh start for me and you.”
“And what better way to start it than in style?” I open the door for her and wait for her to slide inside. My heart flutters as I catch a glimpse of leg. “Here we go. Driver, please take us to our destination.”
I extend my arm across the back of the seat, and Jodi curls into me without hesitation. It’s so natural between us. Life is so much better with her next to me. I feel a warmth emanating from her that’s from inside, not from her body heat. This has taken me back to how it used to be before I fucked it up.
I need this, I remind myself. I need to make this right again. She’s my one.
“Oh my goodness. There are drinks, and actually nonalcoholic ones. That’s so rare.”
“Of course.” I lean forward and grab a couple of glasses. “I thought of you.”
“You can have a drink anyway. You don’t have to stay away from the booze because of me.”
“I don’t mind. I want to have a clear head for tonight anyway. We have a lot to discuss.”
“Ooh, that sounds heavy. I thought this was casual and carefree.”
“It is. Don’t worry. I would just rather not drink tonight. This stuff tastes nice anyway.”
We clink our now full glasses together and take a swig. I can see the tension rolling off her shoulders as she starts to relax. Good . . . the more time that passes, the more I want to get back to just me and her.
“I always love the strip at night,” Jodi muses as she stares out the window. “It’s so beautiful.”