“Some people call it tacky, but I know what you mean. I love it too. I love the flickering lights and the idea that the city never sleeps. There’s always someone awake doing something.”
“Usually gambling,” she teases. “The people up at two in the morning are usually gambling.”
“I guess so, but it isn’t just that, is it? Remember, I run a casino, and during the early days I was always up at two in the morning watching what was going on. Sometimes there’s magical things going on at that time. People meeting, reconnecting, weeping over lost love, finding someone new . . . amazing things can happen at that time.”
“Yeah, I suppose that’s a much nicer way to look at it. Magic at two a.m.”
We pull up outside Caesar’s Palace, and I guide her inside. The wonderful Roman-themed casino surrounds us, filling us both with the sensation that anything is possible. We go to the restaurant with the deep orange lighting. Candles sit on every table, causing shadows to dot the walls. Jodi sidles c
loser to me, almost as if she’s nervous to be here. I rub her arm, hopefully reassuring her as the waiter takes us to our table.
“Are you okay?” I ask with a smile as we take a seat. “You seem really anxious?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to. I’m just trying to wrap my head around all of this. A couple of days ago, I had all the worries in the world resting on my shoulders, and now I’m here with you.”
“Yeah, well, that’s my fault. Again, I’m very sorry about that.”
She rests her hand on top of mine and smiles. “I don’t want you to say sorry again. We’ve done the apology thing. Now it’s time for us to focus on moving forward. I wouldn’t be with you if I didn’t forgive you.”
I nod, trying to drink that in. It’s nice to hear it, to know that we’re both on the same page.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll stop saying sorry then. I don’t want to focus on the past either.”
Jodi picks up a menu, and I do the same, taking the lead from her. In moments, the waiter comes over, and we both order nonalcoholic drinks. I’m not touching alcohol tonight, just as I promised her.
“Have you ever eaten here before? Do you have anything you can recommend?”
“I haven’t ever been here, but it has a good reputation. I’m sure it’s all good.”
She peers over the top of the menu and smirks at me. “So you haven’t been here with girls?”
“I don’t usually take anyone out on a date, if that’s what you’re referring to.”
“I thought you were a playboy back in the day? You can’t tell me you haven’t dated.”
“Not so much, but remember, that’s the past me. And I’m honestly not that bad.”
I catch a glimpse of something in her eyes, a dark desire floating there in her gaze. It leaves me wondering what she’s thinking about. Is she remembering all the awesome times in the office? God, I wish I could hire her again so we could relive all of that. But I suppose we’re long past that now. This is another time.
“Okay, so I have the honor of being a very rare date of yours. That’s interesting . . .”
“You do, and I’m hoping that you’ll be the very last date I go on in my life.”
The sizzling increases between us, buzzing so loudly I’m sure the whole room must be able to hear it. My heart hammers loudly against my rib cage as I look at her. Intensity encompasses me.
“So this is very serious then. You’re telling me you want something serious.”
Screw being casual. I need to tell her how it is. “Of course I want it to be serious. I love you.”
She freezes for a moment, and I wonder if I’ve gone a step too far. “I love you too.”
Before we can go any deeper into that, the waiter returns to take our order. I barely know what I’m saying as I make my choice, and I don’t think Jodi is focused on food either. We’re back to being so wrapped up in one another that the rest of the world doesn’t exist. I love being in our little bubble. It’s the happiest place in the world.
“This was a really nice idea,” Jodi tells me seriously. “Thank you for this. It’s amazing.”
“Well, like I said, I want this to be a fresh start, and you deserve to be spoiled.”
“Some fresh start. We’ve already skipped along too far . . . since I’m having our baby.”