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I glance at her. “You like surprises, huh?”
“Love them,” she says.
I wish I could watch her the entire drive, but I keep my eyes on the road, reaching for her hand. She accepts my advance and squeezes my hand.
I can’t explain this thing between us or how I fell for her. I’ve always been the guy who swore off relationships, but Briar has changed everything, which I still find crazy.
I pull into the deserted drive-in, and for the first time tonight, she looks confused. “Um…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it handled.”
I’m not sure if she was questioning the fact that it’s not open or that it’s still so cool at night, how could we watch it in comfort, but I’ve got it covered, and I don’t want her to worry.
“Okay.” She relaxes back in her seat.
I drive the truck to the middle of the gravel lot. A blown-up inflatable couch sits on a giant blanket with pillows, sleeping bags, and blankets. I bought almost every kind of candy at the store because I didn’t know her favorite, along with popcorn and chips.
“Emmett,” she says, sitting up straighter to take in the scene.
I park the truck to the side of my setup, so it can block the breeze a little, and shift to look at her. “Surprise.”
She opens her door and gets out before I can stop her and tell her that’s my job from now on. Immediately she slips off her shoes, sits on the couch, and fingers through the candy. “This is amazing.”
I take off my cowboy boots and walk over to her. “I know it’s not a five-star hotel or the opera. You’re accustomed to more high-end things in Chicago, I’m sure.”
She stands and places her finger over my lips. “It’s perfect. So perfect.”
I take her in my arms because it’s hard not to have her close to me every second of every day. We don’t kiss, but she rests her head on my chest, allowing me to hold her.
I never want us to end, but I can’t deny that I fear what the future holds. There are so many unknowns, and her waiting to tell Gillian about the baby, about us, is really wearing on me. I want everyone to know she’s mine. Maybe then they’ll see that I’m not the person they thought I was. That she’s changed me. But even if they don’t, it doesn’t matter as long as she knows.
There’s also the matter of wanting to bring her to my mom’s grave to introduce Briar to her. I need to thank Mom for sending Briar to me, because I know she had something to do with it.
“I didn’t know your favorite candy, so I bought one of everything.” We both sit down on the couch.
“I noticed you have quite the selection.” She pulls out a pack of Reese’s Pieces. “My favorite.”
“Noted.” I lean back on the couch, my arm swung over the back, watching her open the package and eat the first one.
Briar grabs a blanket, slides against my side, and covers both of us with it. Then she stares up at me, and I kiss her on her temple.
“This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“Surely not.” I run my fingers over her shoulder.
“It is. And it means so much more because it’s with you. How do you work that charm on me?” Her hand goes to my cheek, and she leans in, kissing me.
“I’m just that good.”
“Yeah, you are,” she says with a laugh.
The film starts, and she nuzzles up to me. I could get used to this life.
We watch the movie for the first forty minutes or so, but to be honest, it’s a little boring.
She unsnaps a few buttons of my shirt, sliding her hand through the space she created, her fingers weaving through my chest hair.
“Cold?” I ask.
