Our dinner seems to come and go quickly. The four of us were so caught up talking and just enjoying the time together that when I glance at the time on my phone, I see it’s almost nine pm.
“Should we order dessert?” I’m nowhere near hungry, just having ate what was probably hands down the best dinner I have ever had in my life. And that says a lot because Tom is a hell of a cook back home.
“No!” Trent nearly snaps, causing me to flinch slightly.
“Trent!” His mom eyes him in warning before looking over at me. “Fallon, dear, raincheck on dessert. Tom and I are getting old. We need our sleep.”
Without another word, they both stand and come around to hug and kiss us goodbye.
“Merry Christmas, you two.”
I smile. “Merry Christmas, good night.”
I sit there, slightly confused, as Trent takes care of the bill. I feel deflated. That’s not how I expected dinner to go. Not with his parents rushing off after eating. It’s Christmas, I wanted to spend more time with them. I mean, yeah, I want to be alone with Trent, but it’s still Christmas and they are family. Those two people are so important to me. More important than my own parents, whom I’ve yet to receive a text or call from today.
I turn toward the wing our room is down, but Trent catches my wrist. “Let’s take a walk on the beach.”
“Okay.”
Suddenly, he pulls me into him, his dark eyes searching mine. For what, I don’t know. It’s enough to make me worry.
“What’s wrong?” His voice is laced with nothing but concern, and it makes me feel guilty.
“Nothing, I just, it’s just you snapped about dessert and your parents rushed off. I worry you hurt their feelings or something.”
My words are rushed. I’m feeling all sorts of emotions and can’t seem to sort it all out to explain.
“Babe, I didn’t hurt their feelings. Look, I just have different desert plans for us.”
“Oh.”
“Are you okay, seriously, Fal?”
“I’m fine, you could have warned me though, you know?” I shove at his chest.
“What, and ruin the surprise? No way.”
He releases my wrist, moving his hand back to where it rests on my lower back, guiding us out of the sliding doors. Salty air fills my lungs instantly. It’s dark but the moon casts its glow, allowing us to see all it touches. The ocean waves crash quietly as we continue walking.
Not far ahead, the moonlight beams off of something, catching my eye. There’s something on the beach, but I can’t quite make out what the object is.
Trent’s hand moves to mine, squeezing it tightly. I look up at him and he gives me a quick glance before staring straight ahead. The way he swallows causes that worried feeling to resurface.
As we walk closer, I can finally make out what it is. It’s a circular table, covered in a white tablecloth. Two chairs. Red poinsettias are placed in the center. We seem to be heading to it.
There’s also a small globe glowing on the table. Two glasses of what I can only guess to be champagne. Based on the bubbles anyway. There are also two small dessert plates with some sort of chocolate on them.
“Trent, what is this?” I ask as we walk up to the table.
“Dessert.”
Trent doesn’t say anything else as he guides me to my chair before walking to his and sitting down. I study him. The light bounces off his face just right. In this moment, I don’t think Trent could look any hotter. Strong jaw lines, light stubble. Dark eyes that bore into mine. He looks confident. Never in a million years did I think I would ever date this man in front of me. A silly crush once upon a time that faded only to come back to life years later.
“It’s chocolate truffle.”
Trent pulls me from my head as he lifts the small piece of chocolate from the plate. I do the same and take a bite.
It’s good, so good.