Page 115 of The Meeting
* * *
Kailynn pulledon the new dress she had just finished sewing. It was black and fitted, showing off her curves and flattering her in every way possible. It looked exactly as she had envisioned it.
Since she was in such a great mood, she let Maddie leave an hour early. It was only a Tuesday, but Maddie had been doing a great job of getting Kailynn’s work out there. Kailynn was finally receiving large requests for her products, which wasn’t something that happened when Drew and Jessica were doing the marketing. She realized how blessed she was to get out of the situation with him.
Despite her feeling the betrayal from him, she almost thought it was for the best. It was a lot easier letting go of a nine-year relationship when you knew the guy was a complete scumbag.
It wasn’t lost on her that she wouldn’t have gotten to know Chase so well if it weren’t for her having to cut things off with Drew. Sure, she would know him as Abi’s neighbor and eventually as her own, but she wouldn’t have spent long hours with him if he hadn’t been her lawyer. Everything worked out perfectly, and she couldn’t be happier.
A knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. She pulled it open to find Chase on the other side. He wore a pair of khaki slacks and a blue button-up shirt, enhancing his olive skin perfectly.
He let out a low whistle. “You look incredible. I can only assume you made that dress yourself.”
She smiled, always so excited when he noticed. “I did.”
“It’s stunning. You’re stunning.”
Her heart fluttered. He had always been so supportive. It would continue to surprise her, and she hoped it never ended.
“Thank you. That means so much to me.”
He tugged her into his chest and placed a kiss on her forehead. “I only speak the truth.”
She took a second in his embrace before locking her apartment door and walking with him to his car.
* * *
Chase helpedKailynn out of the car and looked her up and down once again. The dress fit her perfectly and enhanced everything beautiful about her, inside and out. Aside from her being stunning, the passion that went into making the dress was a huge draw to her. He loved that she was a perfectionist and wouldn’t let a product leave her hands until it was flawless. He loved that she was passionate about her work and never gave up.
He loved her.
He held her hand as they walked up to his favorite Italian restaurant. Calling ahead, he asked the restaurant to set up a special table just for them. He watched her face as they were led outside to the garden area, which had been strung with white lights. Her face lit up as she looked around. They were seated at a solitary table in the middle of the garden, exclusive for them.
After the waiter handed them their menus, he left them alone. Kailynn looked around in what he could only describe as wonder before her eyes settled on him.
“Wow! Chase, this is incredible.”
He reached across the table and took her hands in his. “Anything for you.”
Her eyes lit up. He never wanted to stop surprising her. Never wanted to stop making her happy.
The waiter appeared again with a bottle of wine, which he showed Chase. It was a Pinot Noir shipped directly from Chase’s grandparents’ winery in Italy. He nodded his head to let the server know it was okay to pour. Once their glasses were filled, he left the bottle on the table and disappeared again.
Kailynn took a sip and closed her eyes as she swallowed. “Wow! That has to be the best glass of wine I’ve ever tasted. What’s the name of it?”
Chase smiled. “Actually, it’s my grandparents’ wine. I had it shipped her for tonight.”
She looked at him in surprise. “You had wine shipped here for us?”
“Of course. I told you it’s the best wine in the world, didn’t I? And tonight is special. I wanted to make it as special as I could.”
She looked at him with curiosity etched across her face. “Not that every night with you isn’t special, but what makes tonight itself so special?”
He had to drop that little nugget in there just to pique her interest. Truth be told, he had been planning this evening for the last month, and with the help of Abi, his parents, and grandparents, he was able to make it happen just the way he wanted.
He picked up his glass of wine and took a savoring sip before setting it back down, her curious eyes still peering at him.
“Do you remember how I told you my family goes to Italy every year to see my grandparents and spend some time at their vineyard?”
