After finding the perfect pair of heels, I head downstairs, shoes in hand. I stand by the front door and slip them on when I hear Greyston descending the stairs. I nearly choke on my breath when I see him in the same well-fitted jeans as before, but he exchanged his sweater for a white button up shirt and a black tie. On his feet is a pair of matte black dress shoes, and his dark hair is finger combed back. My knees threaten to buckle, and I wonder if I’m going to be able to walk in these shoes now.
He’s in front of me in seconds, and I reach for him, grabbing his tie and thinking about pulling him in for a kiss that I’m sure will get out of hand. He’s stronger than I am, though. “We should go, or we’ll miss our reservation.”
I nod once, reaching behind me for the doorknob and turning it. “Later, then.”
Greyston exhales heavily and presses his forehead to mine, holding my gaze with his stormy blue eyes. “You can count on it.”
The drive to the resort that houses the restaurant isn’t a short one, but the view once we arrive at the top of North Mountain takes my breath away.
“This is incredible,” I whisper as we head into the main entrance and toward the restaurant.
Greyston’s hand clasps mine, tucking it into the crook of his elbow as he escorts me through the restaurant doors and toward the hostess podium. “Better than popcorn?” he teases.
I can’t help but laugh. “We’ll see.”
The hostess looks up at us, smiling brightly. “Good evening. How can I help the two of you tonight?”
“We’ve got a reservation under Masters,” Greyston informs her with a kind smile.
She glances down at her reservation book, nods, and grabs a couple of menus. “Perfect. Right this way.”
After hugging the menus to her chest, the hostess leads us to a table next to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and Greyston pulls my chair out for me before taking his seat across from me. I look out the window, my eyes going wide as I take in every last detail of the view from the mountaintop. Below us, I can see the Valley’s desert landscape and the bright lights of the city while the sun sets on the horizon.
“Your server tonight will be Emma,” our hostess tells us. “Can I take your drink order? Perhaps some wine for the lovely couple?”
“Oh,” I say, peeling my eyes from the amazing view. “Um, no thanks. I’ll just have water for now, please.”
“I’ll have the same,” Greyston replies, looking toward me with a smile.
I reach across the table, squeezing his hand. While I’m grateful that he’s willing to forego drinking if I can’t, I also can’t approve of the sacrifice. If I was twenty-one, I would absolutely indulge in a glass or two of wine. “Please, have a glass of wine. Just because I can’t, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to indulge.”
He raises his eyebrows, looking at me in a way that makes me wonder if he thinks I’m testing him. I laugh softly. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. I’d feel guilty if you didn’t.”
Greyston looks back to the hostess and orders a glass of red wine. When the hostess leaves, I open the menu and gasp, looking up at Greyston with wide eyes.
“What is it?”
My eyes move between his and the menu a few times. “Have you seen these prices?” I demand softly so as not to offend anyone within earshot. “Maybe the popcorn would’ve been a more reasonably priced meal.”
All he does is laugh. He laughs. Like this is no big deal.
“Enough with the popcorn. There’s no way in hell I am going to let that happen.” He glances back at his menu and shrugs. “Besides, these prices aren’t so bad considering the restaurant and the beautiful scenery.
I lean forward until my chest is pressed against the menu. “Greyston, I barely make minimum wage. This is crazy. I mean, thirty-five dollars for fish?”
Then he winks before offering me a smile I’m sure is meant to be reassuring. It’s not…at first. “True, but I’m willing to bet it’s amazing and worth every penny.”
My cheeks warm, and I scrunch my nose. “You’re right. I’m being kind of a downer, huh?”
“I never said that.”
“It was implied,” I quip, dropping my eyes back to the menu.
There’s a brief moment of silence before Greyston speaks up again. “I almost forgot to tell you that Callie’s mechanic was able to figure out what was wrong with your car. Apparently your alternator needs to be replaced.”
That sounds expensive. I worry about the food prices again.
“He’s ordered the new one and thinks your car will be ready in a couple days.”