“I read on your blog that you finished everything on your Carolina bucket list.”
“I did. It’s a pretty awesome feeling.”
“So, what was your favorite one?” I sipped my wine.
I could tell his mood was playful. “You really have to ask?”
“Yes. Tell me. All-time favorite bucket list item. Go.”
He leaned closer to me so that his low voice didn’t carry to the other tables. “I would have to say the afternoon with you in the study room.”
I felt the heat rising to my cheeks.
“Wait, no that’s not the one. Probably trying to undress you in front of Gimghoul Castle.” It looked like he was undressing me with his eyes right now at the table.
“Ok, that’s not fair. It wasn’t that. It was definitely the fifty-yard line. I will never forget the fifty-yard line.”
I was having trouble breathing. My skin was tingling all over and I wanted to kiss him so desperately it hurt, but I kept my hands folded in my lap and tried to act as if what he said didn’t stir a burning for him in the center of my body.
“What about you, London? Do you have a favorite memory on your bucket list?” Oh my God, he was being so devilish.
“I. Um—” I wanted to say something sultry and seductive, something that told him that every memory of him kissing me was my favorite Carolina moment. “It wasn’t on my list before, but I think the night at the planetarium.”
He laughed. “Yeah, we almost burned down the place, but it was pretty hot.”
The waitress cleared our plates and turned for the kitchen. I played with the napkin in my nap, not sure what was supposed to happen next. Beau slid an envelope across the table and left it where my plate had been.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
I pulled on the inner flap of the envelope and freed the note from inside. I held the card close to the flickering candle and read the words aloud. “London, enclosed is a key for an overnight date with Beau in the dream suite. It is yours if you choose to use it. Signed Mitch Henderson.” I laughed at the pretend signature of Mitch Henderson.
“Mitch signed this?”
“That’s what it says. I don’t make the show rules.”
I looked at Beau and then at the card. I wasn’t sure what had caused his one-eighty attitude change tonight, but I hoped it had something to do with our amazing dinner, my little black dress, and what could happen if I accepted this key card.
“What do you think, Beau? Should I accept?” I wanted him to say yes, then pick me up and run to the suite, but I was trying to show some kind of restraint. Playing hard to get was getting harder and harder for me to pull off.
“I want you to do what you really want to do. This is our last date for the project. Do you want to go to the suite with me? It’s up to you.”
Something in the way the words left his lips made me sad. I didn’t want this to be our last anything.
“Yes. Absolutely. I accept the date card from Mitch Henderson.” I held the key card up.
He reached for my hand and gently led me from the table. “Then, let’s go.” He didn’t need to say another word. I was ready to follow Beau anywhere he wanted to go.
Outside of the room, I handed him the key card and waited with heavy anticipation for him to open the door. Beau fiddled with the card and slid it into the mechanical slot. The light blinked red. He looked puzzled, and then inserted it again. Another red blinking light appeared. He rattled the card in the opening, but the red light persisted.
“Do you want me to try?” I offered.
He looked doubtful as he retrieved the plastic key and placed it in my palm. I raised it to my lips and blew on it like a pair of dice. With the arrow pointed toward the floor, I placed it in the door. Green light. I giggled. “Follow me.”
“London, wait.” Beau reached for my arm, but I pushed the door to the suite open.
I couldn’t believe it.