The town car wound its way through the vineyard and Drew marveled at the neat rows of grapes in various stages of harvest. An elegantly hand-lettered sign pointed towards the tasting room to the right. Drew’s stomach flipped with anticipation. He hoped Emilee enjoyed the dinner he’d planned. The long, dirt road stretched seemingly forever and Drew’s nerves had him fidgeting in his seat.
Another half mile and the car turned at the sign for the restaurant, which was generating buzz for its new celebrity chef who created quite the splash when he joined temporarily at Christmas and then fell in love with the head sommelier.
The car reached the empty parking lot and the driver parked and opened their door. Drew took a deep, grounding breath as he exited the car and held his hand out for Emilee. They held hands as they walked across the lot, and he indicated Emilee should precede him up the stairs to the front door. Drew knocked and waited for Felicity to answer.
“Are you sure they’re open tonight?” Emilee asked as she glanced around the empty lot.
“They’re open for us,” Drew replied.
Before Emilee could ask any further questions, the door swung open and Felicity greeted them with a wide smile.
“Drew! It’s so good to see you. I’m glad you’re finally taking time to visit.” She pulled him into a quick hug before turning her attention to Emilee. She held out her hand. “I’m Felicity. Welcome to Chateau Felicity.”
Emilee accepted Felicity’s offered hand. “I’m Emilee. Your property is lovely. I’m very much looking forward to dinner. Although, the restaurant doesn’t seem to be open…”
Felicity laughed. “Not typically today, but Drew called and so we opened just for him.”
Drew flushed as he was always self-conscious flaunting his wealth. He’d paid Felicity generously for the privilege—he was sure she made more tonight than on her busiest Saturday night.
Emilee’s shocked gaze pinned him in place. “You rented out an entire restaurant? For me?”
Her eyes held surprise and also…affection. Her appreciation warmed him. He loved nothing more than making other people feel good. What was the point of having all his wealth if he couldn’t use it to make others’ lives a little brighter?
Emilee followed Felicity as she led them out to the patio strung with twinkle lights. Beyond the wrought iron railing, the vineyard stretched into the horizon.
“Ohhh,” Emilee breathed as she took in the vista. “This place is magical.”
She turned in a circle, arms out as if she were a child, soaking in the atmosphere. A bottle of wine chilled in a silver holder next to their table, which featured a bouquet of wildflowers.
“The flowers are from our property,” Felicity explained.
“They’re beautiful.” Emilee took the seat that Drew had pulled out for her. He joined her at the table as Felicity uncorked the wine and poured a small amount in Emilee’s glass.
Drew watched Emilee’s lips curve around the glass and her delicate throat work as she sipped the wine. She nodded her approval and Felicity poured a full glass for Emilee and Drew. “Your waiter will be out momentarily,” she said before she disappeared into the restaurant.
Emilee turned to Drew. “I can’t believe you did this!”
“You’re worth it. I’ve been waiting a lifetime for the opportunity to romance you.”
Emilee blushed and ducked her head. “I hope I live up to your fantasy.”
Drew reached across the table to take her hand. “You’ve already exceeded every fantasy I’ve ever had about you.” And there had been many.
“It’s surreal we’re here together after all this time. And we’ve crushed on each other for years without knowing it.” Emilee’s eyes shone with happiness and Drew’s heart nearly burst with his own joy. Something new had sparked between them tonight—shared feelings he’d never dared hope for. He could picture them, just like this, in fifty years. Sitting across a table, holding hands, and talking. It was as if he’d been waiting his whole life for just this moment with this woman.
“I wish I’d said something sooner. If I’d realized you felt the same—“
Emilee silenced Drew with a squeeze of his hand. “We can’t go back and change the past. After all, it’s what’s brought us here to this moment. Let’s enjoy our present—together.”
The waiter appeared to present the menu for the evening. Drew had arranged for a three course menu of the restaurant’s specialities. He leaned back in his chair as the waiter described each course in detail, finally feeling able to take a deep breath. Emilee wanted him. For himself, not for his fortune. She’d wanted him all along but he’d been too insecure to see it. Looking back, those small moments in his memory clicked together like puzzle pieces. A brush of her hand on his, Emilee leaning closer as he explained a chemistry concept, and the times she spent gazing at him over his kitchen table.
Now, Emilee was pinning him with the same look she had all those years ago—a mix between wonder and longing. Except now, they could put their longing into action. Drew wished he could fast forward through dinner to a private dessert. All in good time.
When a large plate of fresh strawberry shortcake appeared between them to share, Drew breathed a relieved sigh. He was barely holding onto his restraint with each of Emilee’s moans and sighs ratcheting up his desire. He was a second away from pulling her into the woods and taking her against the nearest tree.
Emilee licked a stray bit of whipped cream from her lips and Drew leaned across the table to follow the path with his mouth. He swiped a bit of the dessert on his finger and held it to Emilee’s lips so that she could lick the bite from his finger.
Felicity reappeared with loud, purposeful steps to alert them to her approach. There was no need to settle a bill as he had prepaid for the entire evening, generously tipping the server ahead of time. Felicity graciously received their compliments on the meal then pointed Emilee in the direction of a restroom.
Once Emilee had left the table, Felicity leaned in and whispered, “Feel free to stay as long as you like. There’s a path through the trees that leads to a clearing overlooking the vineyard. There is a chaise lounge, so you and Emilee can relax and watch the sunset. It’s very beautiful. And extremely private.”
Drew smiled his understanding and stood to give Felicity a hug. “Thank you. This evening has been wonderful.”
Felicity’s returned smile had a sad edge. “It’s my job to make our guests happy—the vineyard is my namesake after all.”
Emilee returned and Felicity said goodbye, leaving Drew and Emilee to retreat to the sunset view.
Dinner had been more than perfect and he wasn’t nearly ready to say good night.