Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“Are you about to tell me I’m a great cook?” Seven asks, quirking his eyebrow as a smile plays on his full lips.
I laugh, “Yeah, I was.”
“I don’t want to lie to you,” he says, his smile all but disappearing. Something different crosses his face before he schools his features. I find myself wishing I knew what he’s thinking. “I picked this up from Mario’s. It’s an Italian place in town.”
“I think it’s my favorite,” I murmur.
“Mario’s?” he asks while taking another bite.
“Italian food.” That answer seems right. I don’t have to think hard about it. “I don’t remember if I’ve ever eaten at Mario’s. You would know more than I do about that. Do we go there together?”
He looks uncomfortable a minute before staring straight at me. “You’re forgetting our deal.”
“What deal?” I ask, tilting my head as I try to remember. Seems like all I do now is try to remember this or that. It makes my brain hurt.
“This is our first date. There’s no past for us. We will discover if you like Mario’s together.”
“Well, we already have because I love this. In fact, I’m enjoying the whole night,” I tell him sheepishly.
“Good, I’m glad.”
“What about you?”
“Me?”
“Yeah, if we are pretending this is our first date, shouldn’t I ask you how you are enjoying yourself?”
It’s so strange. This is something that we have likely shared over and over again. He’s my fiancé, for goodness sake. Yet, I feel like I’ve just met him. The plus side is that not many couples get to redo all their firsts. Even if I do remember later, I will have two sets of memories. That’s definitely better than no memories. Even if I never remember the past, I’ll have all this to look back on.
“I’m having a great time. Even better now that I know you’re enjoying it, Gracie.”
Seven’s eyes soften as he stares at me. His gaze always feels like an intimate touch. I resist the urge to squirm under it.
Glancing away, I take in my surroundings yet again. Realistically, I know I’m not outside, but regardless, it feels like we’re dining in a beautiful park surrounded by nature.
“This place is amazing. I feel like I’m camping.”
“That is the reason we created it,” Seven responds with a soft smile.
“Why? I can’t remember ever seeing anything like this. I doubt I have. Is it a bomb shelter? Are you military?” I ask, resisting the urge to giggle as I think of ridiculous answers. “Ooh, maybe it was aliens? I got it! Vampires afraid of the sun.”
“You watch too much sci-fi,” Seven says, shaking his head.
“That’s another thing I don’t know.”
“What’s that?”
“I have no idea what type of movies I like. Maybe we can watch some together and I can figure it out.”
“Are you asking me out to the movies, Gracie?”
“Does that mean you have a movie theater in here too?” I ask, my eyes going wide. I know there are parts to this place that I haven’t seen yet. With rooms like this, I can only imagine what else there may be.
“We have a projection screen set up. It takes up almost a whole wall. I don’t know that it classifies as a theater, but close.”
“Maybe that can be our second date. I’m enjoying this one right now,” I tell him.
“I am, too.”
“I loved dinner. I’m stuffed now, though,” I admit, pushing my plate back.
“In that case, it’s time we move on to phase two,” he announces, standing up and taking my hand.
“Phase two?” I ask. “What is phase two?”
“You’ll see,” he says as he leads me out into the yard.
I’m preoccupied with his touch. His calloused hand dwarfs mine and sends an electric heat through my body. The same heat I’ve been trying to ignore. I follow him out into the “yard” and see a blanket with pillows spread around it.
I can’t stop the grin on my face. “This is something I never would’ve imagined,” I giggle, taking it all in.
“What?”
“Stargazing indoors.”
“You never told me before but I’m pretty sure you love looking at the night sky.”
“I can’t remember the past, but I know I love it tonight.”
He sits down on the blanket and reaches up to me. I put my hand in his and go down on my knees. He lays down and I find myself curling into him. I breathe in his scent and as he holds me close, I let my body relax. I may not remember my life with Seven, but right now there’s one part of me that’s recognizing him completely—my body. Being with him like this feels right.
It feels natural.
“The stars are beautiful,” I practically hum. My voice is soft because I’m busy thinking that as beautiful as they are, there’s no way they can compete with the way being close to Seven feels. I’m happy.