Frozen Desires [profxgirl][wlw]

Chapter Thirty Five

Saturday;

I pulled into the small parking lot of the park, turning off the ignition and taking a deep breath. I couldn't help but smile to myself—this play date with Tuna had me more excited than I'd care to admit. Following Montgomery's suggestion, I kept it casual; short denim jeans and a loose graphic tee. Comfortable enough for running around.

Checking the clock, I noticed it was just after five. Perfect timing. As I stepped out of my car, the sound of tires crunching on gravel caught my attention. Two spaces over, a sleek black Audi came to a stop. My eyes widened slightly—it was the same car I had seen at the hospital, and now it was right here.

The door swung open, and out stepped Montgomery, looking effortlessly elegant, her hair catching the last glimmers of sunlight. Even in something as simple as jeans and a crisp white blouse, she radiated class. Damn! I always knew she was well-off, but seeing her step out of that car, it hit me just how wealthy she really was.

"Valentina!" Her voice was soft yet warm, her smile even warmer as she waved. "How are you?" she asked, walking around to open the passenger door. Out bounded Tuna, tail wagging enthusiastically.

"Always good," I grinned, trying to keep things casual despite the sudden spike in my heart rate. "You?"

She opened the front trunk of her car—of course it's a front trunk in this fancy thing—and pulled out a small picnic basket. My eyes widened even more. A picnic? She really went all out.

"Just great," she replied with a smile that made something inside me flutter.

I crouched down to pet Tuna, his tail wagging so hard it was practically a blur. His fur was soft beneath my fingers, and I couldn't help but smile. Damn, I love this dog. I scratched behind his ears, earning a happy wiggle in return.

Behind me, I heard Montgomery close the trunk with a soft thud. "Ready to go?" she asked, her voice calm and warm. I glanced up at her, nodding, before rising to my feet and falling in step beside her.

Tuna trotted ahead, nose to the ground, investigating every blade of grass and bush we passed. The soft rustling of the leaves in the trees and the golden light of the setting sun made the park feel serene, like we had stepped into our own little bubble.

Montgomery stopped at the base of a large tree, its sprawling branches casting a gentle shade over the grass below. She turned to me, a questioning look in her eyes. "How about here? Will this spot work?"

I glanced around. The grass was soft and dotted with small wildflowers, their tiny petals adding a delicate touch to the space. It felt private, cozy, and just perfect. "Yeah," I said with a smile, giving her a thumbs up.

She nodded and set down the picnic basket. Bending gracefully, she opened it, pulling out a handful of colorful dog toys and tossing them beside the basket.

Then, she carefully unfolded a picnic blanket adorned with tiny sunflowers, spreading it out across the grass. The bright, cheerful design stood out against the green, making the whole setup feel even more charming.

Montgomery settled herself on the blanket with a casual grace, placing the picnic basket in the middle. She patted the spot beside her, a silent invitation that made my heart stutter for a second.

I hesitated, my gaze flicking to the space next to her. A part of me wanted to sit there, to feel that closeness, but I quickly reminded myself of the line I needed to keep. This picnic—though cozy and far from professional—was supposed to be just friendly. Right? Just two people spending time together, nothing more.

With a soft sigh, I chose the other side of the basket and plopped down, patting the grass to call Tuna over. He trotted to me, his tail wagging, and settled comfortably beside me, his big brown eyes looking up as if asking for attention.