Page 173 of Chasing Hope

“Usually I want to talk about other things,” he mumbles, and that’s when I tune them out, turning my focus to Evie and where she’s currently looking.

She’s spotted a group of girls at another table, all wearing similar expressions of disgust, as if they sucked on lemons. As I kiss the top of Evie’s head, she pulls her attention back to me. “How is your body feeling? You hit them pretty hard tonight.”

Now it’s my turn to wince. “Yeah, not my finest moment.”

Her hand finds its way back to my thigh, squeezing. “Are you okay?” she asks.

The noise of the bar fades once more, my friends around the booth disappearing as I look at the most beautiful woman in the world. Thick black lashes blink up at me, my jersey proudly on her skin making my heart leap and jump in bounds.

“Yeah, I’m okay, Dove,” I whisper.More than okay with her tucked into my side.

Her eyes flick to somewhere over my shoulder, her smile and the peaceful expression fading in an instant. Turning, I find why. Caleb stands in the archway leading to the back parking lot and bathrooms. He’s looking at my arm around his sister and at the booth with all his friends coupled up.

“Caleb,” I call out, but he just shakes his head and walks deeper into the bar, ignoring me entirely.

Evie’s sigh is full of sadness that I feel in my own heart. “Idon’t think he’ll forgive me until I tell him what I’ve been holding back.”

“I wish I could say I don’t think so but…” I shake my head. “I wish he would. I wish you didn’t feel pressured to share anything you aren’t ready to.” Turning back to her, at the sadness in her eyes, my heart plummets. “Hey, why don’t we get out of here?”

She looks up at me. “You don’t want to celebrate?”

Peering down at her, my lip quirks as I drawl, “Being with you is my celebration.”

Her lips twitch before they blossom into a full smile, her happiness contagious. “Okay, where do you want to go?"

The plan I organized prior to the game has a small smile lifting the corners of my lips. “It’s a surprise.”

“Will I like it?” she asks.

“I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise.”

We’ve been driving for forty minutes now, both of us sitting comfortably in silence as our intertwined hands rest on the middle console. I’m glad I take my truck to games because the farther we go up the mountain, the rougher the road becomes. My sedan would have popped a tire or scraped the underside by now.

Once I see the opening, I turn to Evie, slowing the car down.

I’m glad I have my eyes on her as I pull to a stop because I’m able to take in the way hers widen, lips parting with a surprised gasp. She shifts in her seat, leaning forward, the twinkling lights reflecting in her eyes.

“Oh my god.” Her smile is slow yet radiant as always. “It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah?”

She heaves out a laugh. “Matteo, I can’t believe you haven’t brought me here before!”

“I can make it better,” I whisper.

She turns to me, a dubious expression on her face. “How?”

Smirking, I point to the blankets in the backseat. She takes in everything I had organized prior to the game, just in case she did say yes.

Something akin to awe dances along her features. “You’re special, Valenti. So very special.”

With the darkness of the mountain cocooning us, I lean forward, gently kissing her with the sweetness she has always deserved. “Not as extraordinary as you.”

Her lashes flutter, my words sinking into the depths of her soul.

Brushing my thumb back and forth along her cheek I say, “Stay here while I set everything up and don’t touch that door.”

Chuckling with an eye roll she teases, “God forbid I open my own door.”