BEN
The setting sunwashes Skyler’s face with an orange glow as we exit the commercial building we’ve just toured.
“Thanks for driving all the way out here, folks.” The realtor, Ronnie, tips his cowboy hat and hands me a crisp white business card with his name and number. “If you think of any other questions, or if you want to put a bid in, don’t hesitate to give me a call.”
I nod to him. “We appreciate you showing us around.”
“My pleasure,” he says. “Do y’all need a ride back to your hotel or anything?”
“No, we’re good,” I say, taking Skyler’s hand in mine. “Thanks for the offer, though.”
Ronnie nods and then heads off, leaving Skyler and me by ourselves in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. As soon as the realtor is out of sight, Skyler turns to me, a brilliant smile gracing her pink lips.
“So, what did you think of the place?” she asks.
I begin leading her down the sidewalk toward a line of shops and restaurants that are quickly filling up with the weekend dinner crowds.
“I think it’s got potential.” I rub my thumb on the back of her hand. It’s amazing to be able to hold her hand out in the open like this. Back at the gym, I’d have to worry about whether I was standing too close to her or watching her too intently. But here, we’re just two small fish in a sea of strangers. The ease with which we’ve been able to act like a normal couple is making me greedy. It’s making me want to do these sorts of things back home, too.
But I know we can’t. At least, not right now. So I focus on how lucky I feel to be able to kiss her right here on this sidewalk, leaning down and pressing my lips against her smiling ones.
“What made you to do that, Daddy?” she asks with a soft chuckle.
“The simple fact that I could.”
Skyler’s grin lights up her whole face.
“The space is certainly big enough,” she says, returning to the topic at hand. “The second floor looks like it could be broken up into at least three large studios, and the location is perfect for drawing in foot traffic.”
My chest swells with love for the girl at my side. Listening to her talk about the future, like she’s invested in the outcome, makes me want to cradle her face and tell her how badly I want her to be part of mine. She’s already changed my life in the short amount of time we’ve known each other.
But the thought of moving too fast and scaring her off still terrifies me, so I settle for squeezing her hand as we continue down the sidewalk.
“You’re right,” I tell her. “This is definitely the best location out of all the ones I’ve looked at. Great parking, too.”
We weave through a throng of people waiting outside a small trendy bistro. Skyler pauses to read the menu posted in the window.
“This place seems cool,” she says. “Want to eat here for dinner?”
“Hmm, it does look good. But I actually already have something else in mind.”
She gapes at me, eyes wide with exaggerated shock. “What? Mr. I-only-eat-food-as-fuel already researched places to eat in the area?”
I laugh and gently tug her arm so we can resume our stroll. “Yes, Ms. Food-should-always-be-delicious. Even I can take an interest in dinner when the situation calls for it.”
She bounces on the balls of her feet. “Well, where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Uh-oh. Should I be nervous?”
“Depends on whether or not you trust me.”
She nudges my arm with her shoulder, then goes quiet for a moment. When she speaks again, her tone is both soft and serious. “I trust you, Daddy.”
* * *
“Are your eyes still closed?”I steal a glance at Skyler, who’s practically vibrating with excitement in the passenger seat of my truck.