First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 98

  Dani lingers in my arms, her smile tugging slow at her lips like she's trying to hide how much this is hitting her. I brush a kiss over her cheek, then pull back just enough to look her over.

  "Alright," I say, tapping her hip lightly. "Go pick one of the dresses to wear. We've got a reservation to make."

  She laughs, still shaking her head. "I should've known you were up to something. You've been way too smug all day."

  "Smug?" I repeat, feigning offense. "I call it confident."

  "Mhm." She slips out of my arms and heads to the closet where I hung her dresses. She pulls out the soft black dress I put in there for her. She holds it up, one brow raised. "You did not pack this."

  I grin. "Guilty. But it's perfect. And I really wanna see you in it."

  Her eyes narrow playfully, but she's already holding it against herself in the mirror, the smile she tries to fight slipping through. "You really thought of everything."

  "Of course I did," I say, sitting on the edge of the bed to watch her. "It's your birthday. I wasn't about to half-ass it."

  She glances back at me, lips curving, then disappears into the bathroom with the dress draped over her arm. The door clicks shut, and I flop back on the bed with a grin, staring at the ceiling like I just pulled off the world's biggest win.

  Knowing I need to get dressed for dinner as well, I quickly change into a pair of black slacks and a black button up long sleeve. I leave the top three buttons undone, tuck it into my slacks and roll the sleeves half way up my arms. I check my hair then slip my loafers on and sit on the edge of the bed.

  When the bathroom door finally opens, I shoot up fast. Dani steps out, smoothing her hands down the black fabric, the neckline dipping low enough to make my pulse spike. Her hair falls loose around her shoulders, lips glossed, eyes lined just enough to catch the light.

  "Holy shit," I whisper before I can stop myself. My mouth is dry. My chest is tight.

  Her cheeks flush, and she bites her bottom lip, walking toward me slow, heels clicking against the wood floor. "So I pass the test?"

  "Baby, you didn't just pass. You ruined me."

  Dani laughs, sliding her hands to my shoulders as I stand. I adjust the collar of my shirt, suddenly self-conscious, and she smirks like she knows. "You look good too. Really good," she says softly, straightening buttons that don't even need fixing.

  I lean in, brushing my nose against hers. "I better, standing next to you."

  She kisses me quick, just enough to make me want more, then pulls back with a grin. "I definitely will not be able to wear this again for a while. Alright, enough stalling. Take me to this fancy dinner of yours."

  I lace my fingers through Dani's as we step out of the cabin, the evening air warm but soft with a hint of breeze. The Hill Country sky is streaked with fading orange, the sun sinking low behind the hills. Dani squeezes my hand, looking around like she's soaking it all in.

  "This already feels like the perfect birthday," she says.

  "Good," I tell her, tugging her closer as we head toward the car. "Because I'm just getting started."

  Dani shoots me a look, eyes glinting in that way that tells me she's both suspicious and amused. "You really are too much sometimes."

  "Too much?" I smirk as I open her door. "Or just enough?"

  She slides into the seat, shaking her head but grinning, and I swear my chest swells. By the time we pull up to the restaurant... quiet, tucked away, all glowing lanterns and stone walls wrapped in ivy, I'm fighting the urge to just sit there and watch her instead of moving.