When Jason came out from the back, Billy sat back down.
“Elk tenderloin with truffle-whipped potatoes, baby carrots, and roasted baby beets,” he said, setting a plate in front of each of them.
They sat quietly after they finished their entrée. More of Ben’s music serenading them.
That’s when I met your mother,
The girl of my dreams,
The most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
She said boy can I tell you a wonderful thing
I can’t help but notice you staring at me
I know I shouldn’t say this
But I really believe
I can tell by your eyes
That you’re in love with me.
“This is such a different style for him.”
“He said he’s never written this way before.”
“He loves her so much, doesn’t he?” she asked.
“He does.”
Billy stroked her face. He looked into her eyes and she could see it, feel it—how much he loved her.
“I promise to love you, with everything I am and everything I’ll ever be, to give you my heart, to hold your hand. Forever, Renie—I promise.”
She closed her eyes, and smiled.
“You are so beautiful.”
“So are you,” she answered.
Jason joined them once again. “Your final course this evening,” he said, setting one large wine glass between the two of them. “Strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, with Grand Marnier and Crème Anglaise.” He winked at Renie before he left them alone.
“Billy, this has been a magnificently romantic evening. I love it so much, and you so much, for doing this. It means everything to me.”
“I would do anything for you.” He gripped the back of her neck and brought her head to his, until her forehead touched his. “Anything. I cannot live without you. Do you understand me?”
There was a cry in his voice that she understood all too well. She felt it in her soul, whenever she thought about losing him.
And then, as if he could read her thoughts, he said, “I promise to do everything in my power to never, ever leave you. I mean it. Forever, Renie—I promise.”
She cried then. Because that was her fear. What if she had to go through life as her mother had, without him, the love of her life?
What if she fell in love with Willow too, and Billy left them both? How could she go on…without him? She wasn’t as strong as her mother was. She wouldn’t be able to do it. She couldn’t raise Willow on her own, without him.
His eyes bored into hers. Even through her tears she could feel the heat of them. He understood. That was what he was trying to tell her. What he’d been trying to tell her all night.
“Oh God, Billy,” she cried. “I’m so scared.”