Between Then & Now // Hugh Jackman

21 // A Kiss to Remember

Tonight felt different. I was so nervous. I didn't know what to expect as Hugh hadn't told me what he planned for the evening, but Alana came home with a box in her hands a few hours later. She gave it to me with a small sigh and smile, saying it was from Hugh and that it was for me to wear to dinner.

Hugh had made it clear that tonight was going to be special. It seemed he was going out of his way for this, and I couldn't help but wonder if it was because we both knew the inevitable and the end of my stay was drawing closer. I also knew there was something more to it, something we hadn't explicitly said to one another. Not that we should. If we did, if either one of us confessed, it would further pull at my heartstrings.

When I opened the box, there was a simple but elegant black dress folded on top of a pair of strappy sandals that matched in color. It wasn't too formal, but it was clear tonight that Hugh was putting in all the effort to make it as meaningful as possible. So far, it was working.

Alana was kind enough to let me use some of her makeup, just the tiniest bit of blush and mascara. When I finished getting ready, I glanced up at the clock. Hugh could be here at any minute to pick me up.

To my luck, there was a soft knock at the door, breaking through my nerves and making way for excitement. My heart flipped in my chest as I took a deep and headed to the door. I opened it to find Hugh standing there, looking hellishly attractive in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and some dark slacks. His hair was tousled in that endearingly careless way that seemed to suit him so perfectly.

For a moment, we just stood there, taking one another in. His eyes traveled down the length of my body. The air between us felt charged with something I couldn't quite put into words.

Hugh's voice was soft and warm. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Wow, you're gorgeous..."

The compliment brought a smile to my own face. I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself. The rolled up sleeves are a nice touch."

He laughed, pretending to roll up his sleeves even more. "Good to know. Are you ready?"

I nodded and stepped out into the hallway, closing the door behind me. "Yes. Should I be worried about what you have planned?"

He shook his head and clasped my hand in his. "Not at all. I promise it'll be relaxing. Just you, me, and a little surprise."

My heart started to race as we headed out of the apartment complex and into the cool night air. The streets at night are a lot quieter than they are during the day. Even the lights coming from the surrounding buildings twinkled like stars, making the stroll to wherever we were going all that much more romantic. The nervousness I felt earlier returned a bit at the unknown of what we were going to be doing.

The silence between us wasn't awkward. We enjoyed the serenity that night brought. It was a tender moment, and I tried to shake off the lingering thoughts of how quick this was all going to feel like when I looked back on it the next day.

I recognized the path we were on as we got closer and closer to Hugh's apartment. He unlocked the door once we reached it. A thrill of anticipation and confusion went through me, but as he pushed open the door, he stepped aside to let me in first.

When I did, my jaw dropped in awe. I was greeted by the soft glow of several flickering candles.

The apartment had been transformed into something magical. The dining table that the candles led to was draped in a white tablecloth with 2 perfectly arranged place settings. There was a case of fresh flowers, the same kind as the one he bought for the picnic, and there was a scene of something delicious being cooked up in the kitchen. Whatever it was it smelled so good.