Page 149 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

She tips her head to the side as she approaches. “What?”

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

She looks down at herself. “Is it bad?”

“Bad?” I laugh. “Pretty girl, you look fucking incredible.”

Her cheeks turn pink. “Thank you.”

I have my hand in front of myself. “After you.”

Before climbing in the back with Jade, I see Tessa wearing a black skirt, pink top, cropped jacket, and cowboy boots. Yeah, she looks great.

I glance at Lucas and chuckle, “Unclench your jaw and breathe before you get us shot.”

“Shut it, man.” He grumbles.

Scrunched up in the back, I lean in and rest my forehead against Jade’s and say nothing.

She closes her eyes and releases a tiny little cinnamon-scented breath.

Then, she begins to pull back I whisper, “Don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because you are my pretty girl, perfect in every way, but if I don’t stay right here, like this, looking right to that gorgeous face of yours, I am going to let my eyes wander, and that wouldn’t be appropriate for double date night.”.”

“I mean, I don’t mind.”

We pull into the parking lot of Dockside and Jade looks out the window, “this is fancy.”

“You Ross girls deserve the best.” I kiss her nose and she smiles, God I love that smile.

Lucas gets out of the car, folds the seat forward and I somehow manage to get out, without sputtering about how bad my back fucking hurts. Which, truly I hadn't thought about until right this minute. That's what she does to me; Jade Ross makes everything better.

I hold out my hand, and she takes it as Lucas walks around to open the door for Tessa.

When we get to the door, I open it for her. “After you.”

I glance behind me and see Tessa and Lucas finally catching up.

Once we’re inside, the hostess leads us to the back dock that overlooks Cayuga Lake right next to the outdoor fireplace. The hostess takes the reservation card off the table and smiles at me as we pull out the chairs for our ladies; we are handed our menus immediately.

“You look great every day, but wow, Jade, just wow.” I smile as I finally allow myself to look her over.

“You sure? You didn't say anything the whole time, and I thought⁠—”

“He was thinking about puppies.” Tessa giggles

Lucas laughs, “Dogs, baby, not puppies.”

“What?” Jade asks, confused, and she's not alone. I have no fucking clue what they're talking about.

The waitress appears, setting a bottle of wine in the middle of the table, then 4 glasses of water before asking us, “Do you need more time or are you ready to order?”

“We'll need a few more minutes,” Lucas says.

“Pretty girl, look at you, you turn into Pretty Woman tonight.”