Sheriff Daddy’s Dreamy Little by Jess Winters

CHAPTER NINE

 

 

 

 

 

JOSH

When we got to the restaurant, I was blown away. I had never thought in a million years we’d be going to Chateau Pomegranate. It was beautiful, with hanging fairy lights outside and tables clothed in a thick black cotton.

When I’d suggested it, I didn’t think Josh was serious—this place was expensive. It would surely take me weeks to be able to afford so much as one meal by myself. Hell, it would probably take that much effort just to buy an appetizer.

“What do you think, baby girl?” he asked me after we were seated.

The waiter had brought us to the terrace overlooking part of the lake. I could see the fairy lights reflected on the water, and the moon was a thin crescent in the sky.

“It’s so magical Daddy, it feels like I’m living in a fairytale.”

He smiled warmly at me. “Perfect. I want you to always feel that way.”

I beamed at him.

It was like a fairytale. My knight had come and saved me on multiple occasions from my dreaded ex, and he’d even saved me from my terrible and toxic work environment. How was I ever going to repay him for his kindness?

The waiter came over and brought a bottle of champagne.

“I’m only eighteen,” I whispered to Josh.

“I know, but this occasion is special and I wanted you to have just a sip of this.”

To my surprise, the champagne was pink in color, and full of thousands of bubbles.

“It’s strawberry,” he explained as he opened the bottle and poured for us.

The waiter had gone off to fetch something else, and I was thinking Josh had probably tipped him off that he wouldn’t mind pouring his own drink.

“You’re so cool, Daddy,” I giggled.

“I am the coolest,” he teased.

I tasted a sip and immediately it was like a sweet strawberry explosion in my mouth. The aftertaste was distinctly similar to whipped cream, and I began daydreaming about all the delicious dessert we would get to eat.

“Baby girl, I’ve been thinking about all the time we’ve been spending together. You mean so much to me, and I’m so grateful you came into my life.”

I crossed and uncrossed my legs under the table, suddenly nervous. Did Josh bring me to this fancy restaurant so he could break up with me? That couldn’t be true, right?

I decided to try and calm myself down—whatever it was he was going to say to me, I could take it, I was strong.

“Are you okay?” he interjected, as if he could read my thoughts.

I nodded slowly. “I’m fine, I’m just nervous you’re going to deliver bad news.”

To my surprise, he roared with laughter. “Bad news? Why on earth would you think that?”

Suddenly our waiter reappeared. He had an enormous silver platter and whatever was underneath must have been special, for Josh was eyeing it quite excitedly.

He stopped at our table and opened the platter in front of Josh, revealing a small velvet box.

“Oh my god,” I said, all the air caught in my throat.

“Eva, when I met you I didn’t know who I was. I’ve been so lonely, I was starting to believe I was losing hope of ever finding the perfect Little to be with forever. And then you came into my life, and everything changed. Will you do me the honor of being by my side, and becoming my wife, until death do us part?”

I couldn’t have said yes fast enough, I practically leapt out of my seat when he slid the ring out of my finger.

“Yes, of course,” I said.

He picked me up and kissed me passionately, in front of all those strangers, who then began clapping for us, cheering on our love.

“I’m so happy,” I told him.

“I’m so happy, too,” he replied, letting me back onto the ground so we could resume our meal.

I was so buzzy by the time our entrees arrived I felt as if I’d consumed a large amount of coffee.

We finished eating, and our dessert was brought over filled with candles.

“Oh my gosh,” I said, taking in the beautiful lice of cake.

“I know your birthday is still two weeks away, in September, but I wanted to get you something that would make waiting for your other presents a little bit easier.”

“Daddy, it’s so good,” I said, eating forkfuls of the sweat creamy icing.

“Don’t forget about the cake itself,” he joked.

“But the frosting is so good,” I protested.

We spent the rest of the night eating and laughing. Josh saved the champagne, claiming he’d probably bring it by the precinct when everyone was getting off work and they’d have a second toast then.

As the restaurant started to filter out, I realized we were both still sitting there. The chilly night air began to march in.

“I don’t want to go anywhere,” I told him. “I want to stay right here, with you.”

“It is a perfect moment,” he agreed, gesturing to the clear navy sky, which was full of sparkling stars.

I don’t remember when I got sleepy, probably after all that dessert I had. At some point I asked Josh for his coat, which he gave me happily.

We walked hand-in-hand back to the car, towards our now shared home.