Smokescreen

When he joins me in the shower, we take our time exploring each other more until the water runs cold. He dries us off and leaves me to finish getting ready. After I dry my hair and apply my make-up I walk into my room to find a beautiful black bandeau dress laying on the bed. There’s a note beside it that says, ‘Meet me on the porch when you’re ready.’ I throw it on quickly and choose a pair of sparkly sandals. When I get to the porch to find Max and stop in surprise. He’s holding out a glass of champagne, waiting on me, dressed in a full black suit.

“Sweetie, I think you may be a little overdressed for the steakhouse.”

“We’ll see,” is all he says before sitting down and pulling me into his lap.

We clink champagne glasses and sip silently looking at one another. I want to speak, but the moment is too tender, too special, so instead, I lean into him.

“Thank you.”

“It’s me who should be thanking you, Stella Sullivan.”

“Me? What for?”

“For bringing beautiful into my life.”

I kiss him gently. Little does he know, he brought beautiful into mine too.

I’m beginning to learn with Max, he doesn’t do things halfway. When the limo pulled up to my house, I questioned him, but he blew me off again. I should have been suspicious with him wearing a full suit, the new dress, and the upscale transportation, but my head is in the clouds.

We made a wrong turn out of my neighborhood, which is when I finally started to clue in.

“Max, where are we going?”

“To dinner.”

“Where?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“What about my parents? They think we’re meeting at—”

“Your parents have been informed, Stella. Come here, relax.” He pulls me onto his lap and hands me another glass of champagne.

“You trying to get me drunk before the big family dinner?”

“No, trying to relax you.”

“I’ll relax more if you tell me where we’re going.”

“I’ll give you a hint—you’ll love the steak.”

“That’s not much of a hint!”

“I have something for you.” He reaches in his pocket and pulls out the square box that was on my pillow yesterday morning.

r /> “Trying to distract me?”

“Is it working?” He nuzzles against my neck making me squirm in his lap.

I open the gift and tears fill my eyes. The most stunning pair of Amber teardrop earrings and dinner ring lay on the black felt. “These are beautiful.”

“Do you know why I chose Amber Topaz?”

I have a feeling I do, but want to hear him say it.

“Your eyes, they’ll be my undoing. Every time I stare into them, feelings of serenity wash over me. I love the fact I can almost tell your feelings by the color. Amber, caramel, honey, all of those shades tell me a different story. All you have to do is look at me and anything you want is yours.”

“I have all I want right here,” I say softly, running my hands down his chest.