“We’re definitely getting dessert. They have this awesome chocolate cake. You have to try it.”
The great dinner. The rotating restaurant. The amazing views. It was all way more than I was expecting. As we’re waiting outside for the car, I get up on my tiptoes and give Garret a kiss. “Thank you. I loved the meal. And the restaurant.” I kiss him again. “And my dinner companion.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad you liked it. We’ll have to go again sometime.” He takes my hand and starts walking down the sidewalk. “I see the car. Let’s just head down there so we don’t have to wait.”
Garret waves at the driver. He sees us but has to get over a few lanes. We wait for him in front of the jewelry store. I glance back at the ring I liked in the first window. I can’t imagine wearing a ring that sparkly and beautiful. And that expensive.
Garret sees me looking at it and squeezes my hand. “You really like it, don’t you?”
“I was just checking out how much it sparkles. That’s all.”
He leans down and kisses my cheek. “I won’t talk about the marriage stuff anymore. I know it bugs you and you’re probably sick of it. I’ll just have to find a new topic that drives you crazy.”
Where did that come from? I was just kidding when I told him not to talk about marriage. I actually like it when he teases me about it. It’s kind of become our thing. It doesn’t bug me. I just said it did because that’s what I do. I say the opposite of what I want. I’ve been doing it forever and although I’m trying not to anymore, I’m not doing a very good job.
I glance back at the ring one more time, then feel Garret tugging me forward to the car.
* * *
Crowds linethe entrance to Rockefeller Center. We weave through the people until we’re right in front of the magnificent tree.
“Wow.” It’s the only word that comes out as I stare up at the sea of lights.
“Pretty impressive, huh?” Garret stands behind me, his arms holding me close to him to shield me from the frigid wind.
Never in a million years did I ever think I would be standing in New York City in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree wrapped in the arms of a super hot guy who I love more than anything. I swear I’m going to wake up from this one day and realize it’s all been a dream.
“Do you want to walk around?” Garret asks after a good 10 minutes of standing there.
“Yeah. Sorry. I guess I have a thing for Christmas lights. I didn’t know that until you put those blue lights in my room. So it’s all your fault that we’ve been standing here so long.”
“I don’t mind. We can stay as long as you want.”
“No, I’m ready to go. We’ve been out a long time and your chest is probably hurting.”
He doesn’t deny it.
I turn to face him. “Garret! You have to tell me if you’re in pain. We could have skipped this tonight and gone tomorrow.”
“I wanted you to see the tree. And I wanted you to be next to it when I do this.” He leans down and holds my face in his hands and kisses me. A gentle, sweet kiss. The kind that makes me feel calm and safe and warm inside. It’s just what I need right now in the chaos of the crowds with the cold wind blowing by.
He keeps me close as people swarm past us. “This has been a perfect night, Garret. I’m pretty sure you can’t top this one.”
“I’m up for the challenge. We still have New Year’s Eve.”
“Why don’t you call the driver? I need to get you back to the apartment now that I know you’re in all this pain.”
“I’m fine, but we can go.” He gets his phone out. “I can’t hear with all the noise. I’m gonna go over to the side where it’s not as loud. Wait here. I’ll be right back.”
Garret disappears into the crowd while I get another look at the tree.
As I’m gazing up at it, someone bumps into me so hard it moves me forward and I almost trip.
“Excuse me, miss.” I hear a voice next to me and glance over to see an older man, nicely dressed in a dark wool coat, wearing one of those stiff hats you always see men wearing in black and white movies. “I’m terribly sorry. Some kids were running up behind me and they pushed me into you.”
“Yeah, don’t worry about it.” I focus back on the tree.
I feel his hand grip my arm. “Are you sure you’re okay? I feel terrible for bumping into you like that.”
