“You deserve it,” he stated, sipping on his wine and looking very pleased with himself. He had certainly outdone every expectation I could have ever had for a romantic dinner, and the food hadn't even come out yet.
“Aiden...” I bit my lip as he looked up at me. I felt terrible complaining about such a wonderful gift like this, but it was too much. This couldn't have been cheap, especially on an assistant's salary. I had to say something. Maybe if we left early he could get a portion of his money back. “You really didn't have to do this. I mean, it's fantastic and beautiful, but it's too much.”
“Is there something wrong with it?” He frowned, glancing at the ornate silverware and candles. “There was an option for an indoor version, but-”
“No, there's nothing wrong with it,” I cut him off. “It's just that this couldn't have been covered by the all-inclusive part of this resort. I don't know what you paid, but it was too much just to impress me. You've already impressed me.”
Aiden stared at me for a moment as if I were speaking a foreign language and then started to laugh. “Lena, you're amazing.”
I opened my mouth, but I couldn't find anything to say. I was certainly not expecting to be called amazing for telling him that he didn't need to spend this much on me. “How in the world does me telling you that make me amazing?”
“Please don't worry about the cost. It's all comped. One of the benefits of working where I do.” He reached out and took my hands in his. I narrowed my eyes, trying to determine if he was telling me the truth. It sounded possible, but this was still way too expensive for the likes of me. “You are amazing because you are concerned about my well being. Most of the girls I've dated would want to know why there weren't roses on the table as well.”
“It's just so much,” I said, looking around at the extravagance. I could only imagine what the resort was going to cook up for us as far as food. “If they don't think this is too much, then you've been dating the wrong kind of girls.”
“I most certainly have,” was all Aiden said. I wanted to ask him more, but he smiled and squeezed my hands. “You deserve this.”
I wasn't sure I did, but he obviously had his mind made up about it. I would just sit back, enjoy it, and order the cheapest thing on the menu. Just because it was going to be comped didn't mean I needed to take advantage.
A waiter cleared his throat gently to gain our attention. With a polite nod of his head, he placed a plate of cheeses on the table. “I hope the two of you are hungry,” he said with a thick island accent. “The chef has prepared his best for the two of you.”
I grinned at Aiden, reaching for a piece of cheese. I had never had the chef prepare me something special, but then I had never had dinner on a beach with candlelight either. The waiter murmured something about getting more wine before hurrying away to leave us alone with the cheese.
I nibbled on a soft white cheese I was pretty sure was the best brie I'd ever tasted. The wine complimented every bite, bringing out new flavors and highlighting the original ones. I felt very rich and spoiled, munching on fancy cheese and sipping wine as the orange sun hung heavy on the edge of the horizon with dark, gray clouds filling the sky for contrast.
Aiden cleared his throat. He fiddled with the stem of his wineglass for a moment in an uncharacteristic display of nerves. “Lena, I was hoping I could ask you a favor.”
“Is that what all this is for?” I asked, indicating the fancy spread before us.
“No, though I hope it helps you decide to say yes.” A quick grin flashed across his face.
“Okay.” I nodded. “I will certainly take it into consideration.”
Aiden took a sip of his wine and carefully set the glass down before speaking. “My brother is getting married in two weeks. I need a date for the wedding.”
I couldn't stop the grin from filling my face, but I managed to keep it under control. “And you need me to introduce you to someone. I think my roommate has a couple of weekends open...”
His hazel eyes opened in surprise when I didn't immediately say yes, then crinkled at the corners as he realized what I was up to. “Lena, I don't want your roommate.”
I knew this was a big deal. It would mean meeting not only his brother, but his father as well. It meant that he thought I was worthy to present to them. My heart was full to bursting that he thought that highly of me, but I wanted him to ask me directly. I needed him to after the conversation we had last night. “Well, I might have a co-worker who I could set you up with.”
“I don't want your roommate, or your co-worker, or even your dog groomer.” He smiled, knowing that I was just messing with him. He stood and came to kneel by my chair. “Would you please be my date to my brother's wedding?”
I grinned at him. “Yes. I would be honored to.”
“You had to be difficult, didn't you?” he asked. I nodded and he leaned forward and kissed me, putting his hand in my hair and pulling me into him. Happiness washed over me like a wave. This was going to be more than just a vacation fling.
“This has been the best trip of my life,” I whispered, my words coming straight from my heart. There was a chance for us. “I'm so glad I met you.”
He grinned. “You sure it's not just because I got you some amazing cheese?”
I pretended to think on it for a minute as he walked back to his chair. “Nope. It's all you.”
“Good.” He popped a a cracker into his mouth and winked. “But it did help, right?”
I laughed. “You got me. I'm actually part mouse. I probably should have told you earlier.”
“That does explain the tail...”
I threw a piece of cheese at his head. It missed by a mile, but he still ducked.
His eyes met mine and I couldn't look away. They absorbed me. “Do you believe in fate?” he asked. His eyes were so beautiful I almost hated when he blinked.
“Yes,” I said with a nod. “I do.”
“Then you don't believe in free will?” He took a small sip of wine, waiting to see my reaction.
“I believe in both,” I stated. He raised his eyebrows, the gentle merriment in his eyes telling me that he was genuinely interested in my thoughts. Not only was the man good with wine, but he apparently enjoyed philosophical discussions as well.
“How does that work?” Aiden asked, taking a piece of cheese for himself.
“I believe that fate pushes in the direction we're supposed to go, but we have to chose how to go there. We get to choose the path that leads us to our fate.”