by Jami Wagner
We’re on our second bottle of champagne when Paul announces we have less than five minutes before they turn the lights on. As each minute passes, I repeatedly wipe my sweaty palms against my jeans and occasionally tug at the collar of my button-down. I know she knows it’s me, but this is it. The moment she’s finally giving me a chance.
“Okay, everyone! Are we ready for the first countdown of the night?”
Hoots and hollers fill the room as chairs scratch against the floor. No one in this room wants to wait another minute.
“Okay, here we go! Ten…nine…”
The room joins in with her as if it’s the countdown to the New Year.
“Eight…seven…”
My heart starts to race.
“Six….five….”
”Allie?”
“Yeah?”
“Four…three…”
”I’m really glad you showed up tonight.”
“Two…”
”So am I.”
“One!”
The lights flash on, and I blink as my eyes adjust. When I can finally keep them open, I see the beautiful face in front of me.
Her shy smile is one I’ll never get used to and when she looks at me with those sapphire eyes, I fall for her all over again. Wasting no time, I rush around the table. I grab her and kiss her as fiercely as I can. She responds instantly, weaving her tongue with mine and wrapping her arms around my neck. At the same time I move my arms and hook them around her waist, lifting her off the ground and making this moment as romantic as I can. She deserves the best, and I plan to make it my goal for as long as she lets me.
A fit of laughter comes from a woman across the room. Our lips part and our heads snap around at the noise to find my brother hugging a happy and excited Kelly.
He pulled it off.
“I know how she feels,” Allie says, regaining my full attention. I can’t hide the grin on my face. “But how did he make that happen?”
My hands cup her face and I press my lips to hers. She tastes like mint and champagne, and I don’t ever want to live without her taste again.
“Once the men in my family set their eyes on something, they don’t give up?” I say, kissing her again. Our lips never part until we hear the second countdown of the night.
This is going to be one hell of a year.
Chapter Fifteen
Allie
The sun’s out, snow’s falling lightly, and there’s no wind. It’s the perfect day to start the New Year and an even better day for a first date. Technically, it isn’t our first date, but it’s our first date being exclusive. I have more nerves now than I did when I first tried skydiving—and I thought that was bad.
I pace my apartment while Bell watches from where she lies on the kitchen’s linoleum floor. I reposition pillows, restack magazines, and wipe the counters off twice before I finally convince myself to sit down. This is going to be great. He is going to be great. Stop worrying.
I sit on the couch and start to browse though a few social media sites on my phone. I scroll the pages, but can’t focus. If Parker doesn’t get here soon, I’m going to start convincing myself this whole week has been a dream. A crazy one at that. I can’t believe I ever doubted him and I can’t believe he still wants to take my crazy ass out on a date. My entire body tightens and I inhale deeply to keep from squealing or laughing. I’ve never been so excited about a date.
He only has to knock once before I spring from the couch. I stop in front of mirror by the door and brush down any flyaways with my hand, and then I fix my grey shirt, pull up my black boots, and open the door.
Parker’s smile is instantly contagious, and I feel my cheeks begin to heat as his eyes lock with mine. You’d think we’ve never met before by the way my body reacts to seeing him. My stomach won’t stop fluttering at the thought of being alone with him.
He clears his throat and extends a bouquet of lilies. “You look amazing.”
I accept the flowers and like an idiot I just keep grinning. My hand brushes against his, and a chill runs through my body. He looks dashing in a dark pair of jeans, black belt, and a baby blue button-down shirt.
“You do, too,” I say softly. “Please come in while I put these in water.”
I step into the kitchen and grab a flower vase from the bottom cupboard. Parker joins me just as the water starts running. He leans his hip against the counter and crosses his arms. His jacket stretches from the tightness against his arms, and I feel my eyes go wide. Have his arms always looked that good?
“I like your place,” he says with a grin. He totally caught me checking him out. “I’ve always been a fan of studio apartments.”
His eyes warm up as he watches me, and I can’t help but to let out a small laugh at his attempt at small talk. I don’t want him to talk; I want him to kiss me already.
Setting the vase onto the counter with the flowers inside, I turn to face him. Our eyes meet and he pulls me toward him. With me flush against his body, he leans down and presses his lips against mine. We keep it G-rated for all of two seconds before I open my mouth and let his tongue tangle with mine. He grabs my hips and lifts me onto the counter. He stands between my legs as he holds my face in his hands to kiss me like I’m his air.
When his hands move down to my waist and he pulls me closer, I break the kiss. If I don’t do it now, we’ll never make it out on our first date.
Parker rests his forehead against mine to catch his breath. Then, he kisses my forehead and steps back. “Ready?” he asks looking a bit embarrassed.
“Yes,” I jump off the counter. On the way out the door, I grab my jacket and purse from the coat rack. I quickly put on my hat, gloves, and scarf before we step outside.
As I take the last step off the stairs that lead to my apartment complex, Parker’s hand finds mine. He weaves our fingers and leads me around the corner.
“So…where are we going?” I ask, not doing anything to hide the grin on my face.
“To a small café down the street here,” he points ahead of us. “Harper’s Café and Bakery, have you heard of it?”
“Yeah, it’s one of my favorites.” I fall back into step with him. They have the best hot chocolate and homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies I’ve ever had. I could eat a dozen or more in one sitting, but Parker doesn’t need to know that.
“Oh, good. I thought we could grab lunch there then go across the street for ice skating?” he says, and it sounds more like he’s asking for my approval then telling me.
“That’s sounds fun. I haven’t done that in years.”
“Me neither, so let’s hope we both leave with all our bones still intact,” he jokes.
Parker and I have no problem creating conversation on the rest of the way to the café. The conversation never stops through lunch. After we eat, we walk across the street to the outdoor rink. We rent our skates, mine are white and his are black, and put our shoes and other personal items in a locker. We’re now ready to skate our hearts out. There’s only problem. I can’t skate unless I step onto the ice.
Parker
Allie looks completely adorable holding onto the wall with her death grip. Her eyes are closed and her chest moves slowly as she takes a couple of deep breaths. She removes one hand and turns toward the rink, only to chicken out and grip the wall again.
“We can do something else if you want. I don’t want to terrify you on our first date.” After the past few nights, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.
“No, no. I can do this. I want to. I’m just a little nervous,” she says, opening her eyes and looking at me. I can visibly see her entire body relax, which in return sends a shiver through my body at the thought that I’m the one to make her feel this way.
“I can hold your hand,” I offer, holding my hand out to her. She doesn’t say anything, but her arm extends quickly and she places her hand in mine. This isn’t the first time Allie has held my hand, but it still gives me a tingling feeling inside.
“That’s a perfect idea.” She beams at me.
When I join my hand with hers, she holds it tight and then lets go of the wall. We skate slowly, but stay within her arms’ reach of the wall. Her feet move in small motions so it’s basically me who skates us along but I don’t mind. I like knowing she needs me. She exhales a deep breath and then smiles.
“Okay, it’s coming back to me. I think I can try it on my own,” she announces sounding confident. I nod and loosen the grip my hand has on hers.
She peels her hand slowly from mine and a part of me hopes she’ll get nervous, want to hold my hand again, and then keeps it there until were done with our date. Her pace picks up as she gets farther from me and I’m both happy and disappointed as I watch. I’ll have to find another reason to hold her hand or be near her.
My legs move quickly to catch up with her, but she stops before my brain has time to process that I too need to stop. She turns around to face me just as my body collides with hers. I grip on to her and pull her as hard as I can so she can fall on top of me and not the other way around. She lets out a small scream before we hit the ice.
I land more on my side then on my back, lucky my head didn’t hit the ice, and Allie lands on her stomach, hanging over my side. She grunts as she rolls off me then erupts into laughter.
“That was bound to happen. Maybe I wasn’t ready to skate on my own after all.”
“I think that was my fault entirely. I was going too fast and couldn’t stop,” I say, laughing with her.
We both maneuver ourselves to our knees, carefully trying to get onto our feet without slipping. I stand first and then reach down to help Allie, hoping I don’t slip and fall all over again. She grabs hold of my hand, and I pull her up. Being lighter than I expected, her body comes up fast, landing flush against mine. We wobble for a moment before we catch our balance.
Still holding on to me, Allie glances up, gives me a shy smile, and presses her lips to mine. Everything in life until this moment was just my body making movements to pass the time. Up till this now, I never knew what my purpose in life was going to be. Now I know. Allie is my purpose, and spending the rest of my life with her is the best thing that’s ever going to happen to me.
Epilogue
Allie
The last year has been the most incredible year of my life. Being promoted to head librarian was a huge bonus, but moving in with Parker and creating a life with him was the most amazing part. He’s the kindest and most caring man I’ve ever met, and I still get goose bumps when I think about how we ended up together. I was a crazy girl to ever doubt him.
Kelly and Miles have had quite the year as well. I know Parker and I had a spark from just those three nights, but those two, they didn’t waste any time. It’s crazy to think that their first daughter, Elle, was born just a few weeks ago and that they’re getting married in a few months. I’m so unbelievably happy for them. The only way I could happier is if all that were happening to me.
It’s New Year’s Eve all over again, but this year there isn’t any worry about finding a kiss at midnight or going along with some crazy dating idea. This year it’s going to be just me and Parker. Kisses are included all year round these days. I have no problem with that, and neither does he.
I zip up the little black dress I picked out. If I turn at just the right angle, my dress shimmers in the light. Tonight, my hair is pulled up into a curly up do, and Kelly helped me with my eye makeup. I never was very good with a smoky look, but with Kelly’s help my eyes have never stood out so beautifully.
We’re going dancing, and I want to look my best. Not only is it New Years Eve but it’s our anniversary, and I want Parker to know how special he is to me.
“Parker isn’t going to know what to do with himself.” Kelly glances over my finished look. Slipping on my last heel and standing tall, I catch the glare of a tear in her eyes.
“Kelly, you can’t cry. It’ll mess up your makeup.” I give her a hug. Ever since Elle was born, her emotions have been tripled. Most of the time they’re happy tears, but it never fails—if she cries, I cry. “These are more happy tears right?”
She bobs her head quickly and takes a deep breath before checking her reflection in the mirror and touching up her eye shadow. “Happy tears run my life these days.” She laughs. Her phone chirps and she rushes to grab it off the dresser. She sighs and sits on the bed. “No worries, it’s not the sitter. Our ride is here.” She grabs her clutch and stuffs her phone inside. Giving herself one last look in the mirror, she smiles at my reflection behind her. Kelly chose to wear a red dress tonight and she looks stunning. You’d never guess that she’s a new mother.
“Is Parker here?” I ask, slipping on my white pea coat and heading for the door.
“Actually no, the boys sent a limo to pick us up.”
“A limo!” I stop to face her. “Seriously! That’s so romantic.”
“Yeah, I have a feeling this night is going to be one we’ll never forget.” She walks out the door. I follow behind her, agreeing a hundred percent, and there, right outside as she said, is a white limo with a gentleman in all black waiting with an open door.
We ride for less than five minutes before the driver stops and again opens the door for us to get out.
“You made it,” Miles says from behind us and quickly makes his way toward Kelly. He wraps his arms around her waist and twirls her around before placing her back on her feet and kissing her. It’s short and sweet, and I’ve never seen Kelly this happy. Finally, pulling their gazes away from each other, Miles looks at me.
“Parker’s inside. Kelly, why don’t you go with her? It’s cold out here and I need to talk to the driver.” He kisses her once again against her temple and walks away.
“I still think they should have done another date-in-the-dark event this year,” I say to Kelly as we walk inside. Our evening of dancing is happening at the same place we met. The only difference is, this year it won’t be in the dark with a stranger. I wouldn’t mind another heated kiss, but I can arrange that later.
“Yeah, Miles said they wanted to change it up and are planning to do that event for Valentine’s Day next year.” Kelly opens the door and warm air greets us. The lobby is empty, but I can hear the music playing in the back room.
“Well, I hope at least one couple is as lucky as we were.”
“Me too,” Kelly says. “I need to run to ladies room. Why don’t you go in? I’m going to wait for Miles when I’m done.” Her smile is ear to ear. I’m taking that as a hint she wants alone time with him.
“Don’t be too long,” I joke with her, walking toward the dance room.
I push the door open gently to find the entire room filled with darkness. The exact same way it was one year ago. Most normal people wouldn’t go inside but knowing one of the best nights of my life happened in a room like this, I step inside, and close the door behind me. Where is everyone?
“Allie.” The smoothness of Parker’s voice comforts me.
I turn toward the sound of his voice, and a hand slips into mine. He squeezes it tight and pulls me into him. The smell of citrus and sandalwood fills the air, and I breathe him in.
“What’s going on? Why are all the light off?” I ask.
Moving slowly together, Parker takes us to another spot in the room. I still can’t see anything, but tears prick at my eyes when “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran begins to play around us. With one hand of his on my hip and the other laced with mine, we dance. I lay my head against his chest and close my eyes. I love this man.
“One year ago, I stumbled onto the chance to work with an amazing woman. I didn’t know it then, but from the moment I first saw her, I knew I’d found the most beautiful woman on earth. She took my breath away.”
The warmth of his breath touches my ear, and I melt into him.
“I thought I blew it when she turned me down that first day, but her decision to say no brought us together in a way I would never change. Fate knew I was meant to be wi
th her and was on my side.”
A tear slips down my check and wipe it away with a shaking hand. My heart starts to beat faster as I take a breath.
“The first time my lips touched her, I knew, she’s the only woman for me. She’s perfect, kind, loving, and the best person I’ve ever known. I hope that as long as she’s mine, we’ll have a happy life together and she’ll always feel the same way about me. Not a day goes by that I don’t love her more.”
I’m full-on crying now, silently, but crying. No one has ever made me feel so loved. We stop dancing and stand facing each other as he holds each of my hands. As quickly as they did a year ago, the lights flash on. I watch as Parker drops to his knee in front of me and gazes up to meet my eyes. I gasp and cover my mouth when he opens the box in his hands.
“I love you with all my heart, Allie. I want to hold you, love you, and be everything for you for the rest of my life.” He takes the ring from its place inside the box and places it at the tip of my finger. “Allison Rose Monroe, will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I say without question and kiss him like my life depends on it.
Anything can happen in the time leading up to midnight on New Year’s Eve. It’s up to us to decide how we want to handle it. For me, a date in the dark with a complete stranger was the best thing I could have ever done.
THANK YOU for reading Date in the Dark and taking a chance on my debut novella. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it.
Visit me at https://www.jami-wagner.com for the upcoming release dates on my latest work, The Black Alcove Series.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
