Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Sophia

I walk down Front Street, my heels clicking against the sidewalk as the evening falls over downtown Wilmington. The nerves I've been battling all day flutter in my stomach again as I near Circa 1922.

Catching sight of my reflection in a shop window, I pause. My hand instinctively goes to my hair, smoothing a few errant strands. The charcoal gray pantsuit I'm wearing suddenly feels too formal. Maybe I should have gone with the green wrap dress after all.

I take a deep breath, reminding myself that it's Jake I'm meeting. Dinner with the man I've spent countless hours with over coffee and wishes.

The man who makes my heart race every time he smiles at me. It's the thought of that smile that gets me moving again.

I round the corner and spot him standing in front of the restaurant. He looks incredibly handsome in a blue button-down, gray sports jacket, and dark jeans. When he sees me, his face lights up with a smile that makes my knees weak.

"Hi," I say, hoping my voice doesn't betray how nervous I am. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

"Not at all," Jake replies, his eyes warm as they meet mine. "You look amazing."

I feel warmth creep up my cheeks at his compliment. "Thanks. You clean up pretty well yourself."

"I do my best." His grin helps ease some of the tension. He opens the door and I step inside, taking in the familiar atmosphere of one of my favorite Wilmington eateries.

"Your table should be ready in 15 minutes," the young hostess says. "Would you like to wait at the bar?"

"Good with you?" Jake asks, turning to face me.

I nod and order my favorite, a lemon drop martini when we get settled.

"I'll take whatever local beer you have on tap," Jake says.

"Cheers," I say, raising my glass once our drinks arrive. "To... new adventures?"

Jake clinks his glass against mine, his smile doing nothing to help me keep my heartrate under control. "To new adventures."

As we sip our drinks, I take in the restaurant's beautiful interior. "I've always liked this place," I say. "Do you come here often?"

"Not at all. It's my first time. Elena recommended it," Jake says. "She said it was perfect for a special occasion."

I raise an eyebrow. "And is this a special occasion?"

I watch as a faint blush creeps up Jake's neck. "Well, I'd say having dinner with you qualifies as pretty special."

His words send a warmth spreading through me. I don't know what to say, but I like what I'm hearing.

"Your table is ready," the hostess says, appearing out of nowhere. "If you'll follow me."

Once seated, we peruse the menu. I decide on the sweet potato ravioli, while Jake goes for the steak with chimichurri and fries.

"How was your day?" I ask, deciding emotional declarations can wait until after the food arrives. "Any interesting customers at Coffee Loft or new wishes posted to the Wishing Wall?"

Jake shakes his head. "Afraid not. Up until now, it was a fairly ordinary day. You could even call it boring. How about you?"

I laugh. "Anything but boring, I had an interesting interview today."

"Oh yeah? Do tell," Jake says, his genuine interest in my work one of the many things I adore about him.

"It was with this local podcaster, Mitch Hanson. He does a show about Wilmington happenings," I explain. "We were talking about upcoming fall events. I even managed to work in a mention of the Wishing Wall."

Jake grins, his eyes twinkling. "Sneaky. I like it. How did he react?"

I laugh. "He was fascinated. Wanted to know all about it. I may have talked it up a bit."

"May have?" Jake teases. "Knowing you, I bet you had him ready to come down to Coffee Loft and pin up a wish himself."

"I don't know about that, but don't be surprised if you get a call. I may have suggested you would make a great guest for his show."

Jake takes it all in stride. "Why am I not surprised? Knowing you, it was more than a suggestion."

I playfully swat his arm across the table. "Hey now, are you implying I'm pushy?"

He holds up his hands in mock surrender. "Not pushy. Passionate. It's one of the things I admire most about you."

Our eyes meet, and for a few seconds, the busy restaurant around us seems to fade away. The moment is broken by the arrival of our food, but the warmth in Jake's gaze lingers.

As we dig into our food, the conversation flows easily. We talk about everything from our favorite books to our most embarrassing childhood memories. I find myself laughing more than I have in ages, completely captivated by Jake's wit and charm.

"Mmh, this ravioli is incredible," I moan, closing my eyes as I savor a bite. "How's your steak?"

"Perfectly cooked," Jake replies. "Want to try a bite?"

I nod eagerly, and he cuts off a piece, holding it out to me. Without hesitation, I lean forward and take the bite directly from his fork. The intimacy of the gesture sends a shiver down my spine.

"Mmm," I hum appreciatively. "That is good. But I think I still prefer my ravioli."

Jake chuckles, shaking his head. "Your loss. More for me."

As we near the end of our meal, I can't help eyeing the few remaining fries on Jake's plate.

"See something you like?" he teases, catching my gaze.

I grin, not even trying to hide my interest. "Maybe. Those fries look awfully tempting."

He pushes his plate slightly towards me. "Help yourself."

I reach over and snag one of the fries. "Don't mind if I do," I say with a wink, popping it into my mouth.

Jake laughs, and I marvel at how comfortable this feels. Being here with him, sharing food and conversation, it all feels so natural. Like we've been doing this for years instead of having our first real date.

As the server clears our plates, I lean back in my chair, a contented smile on my face. "This was perfect, Jake. Thank you for a beautiful evening."

"The pleasure was all mine," he replies, his sincerity evident in his warm gaze. "Though the night doesn't have to end unless you're ready to go home."

I take a sip of ice water to cool the nerves that are coming back alive. "What do you have in mind?"

His gaze doesn't leave mine. "We could take a walk along the riverwalk. The view of the city lights on the water is beautiful this time of night."

My heart skips a beat at the suggestion. "That sounds perfect."

As we stand to leave, Jake offers me his hand. I take it without hesitation, intertwining my fingers with his, and the simple touch sends a jolt through me, straight to my heart.

"You're shivering." Jake lets go of my hand and shrugs out of his jacket as we stroll along the riverwalk. The evening breeze off the Cape Fear River has a distinct fall chill to it. The city lights dance on the water's surface, creating a magical atmosphere.

He drapes it over my shoulders. The warmth of the fabric, infused with his scent, envelops me.

"Thank you." I'm touched by his thoughtfulness.

He smiles softly, reclaiming my hand. "Can't have you freezing on me."

We continue our leisurely walk, content to simply enjoy each other's presence. The quiet between us feels comfortable, filled with unspoken understanding.

We pass under a street lamp, its warm glow illuminating Jake's features. I gently tug on his hand, bringing us to a stop.

"Jake," I say, my heart racing as I turn to face him fully. His eyes, curious and warm, meet mine, and I find myself momentarily lost in their depths. "I just... I wanted to tell you how much I admire you. How grateful I am for our partnership."

His expression softens, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. I press on, the words tumbling out. "Working on the Wishing Wall projects has made such a difference in my life. It's not just about the stories or the community impact, though those are incredible. It's also boosting my profile at work. I'm getting more serious assignments, more recognition."

There's a subtle shift in Jake's expression as he listens. The warmth in his eyes dims, and a shadow seems to pass over his face. He's trying to hide it, but I can see a flicker of disappointment.

"That's great, Sophia. I'm happy for you," he says, his voice not quite matching the sentiment.

My heart races when I recognize the misunderstanding. It's time to lay all my cards on the table.

"Jake, no," I say quickly, reaching up to cup his cheek with my free hand. His eyes widen slightly at the contact. "That's not... I mean, yes, all of that is true, but it's about so much more than that."

"It is?" He doesn't move, doesn't blink.

"There's something between us, Jake. Something special. Something worth exploring. At least... if that's something you're interested in." I can't read his expression, and for a heartbeat I worry he isn't.

"Sophia," he says, his voice low and intense. "I'm very interested."

Before I can respond, Jake leans down, closing the distance between us. His lips meet mine, and suddenly the world around us disappears. The kiss is soft at first, tentative, as if he's giving me a chance to pull away. But as I respond, sliding my hand from his cheek to the nape of his neck, it deepens.

Jake's arm wraps around my waist, pulling me closer as his other hand tangles in my hair. The passion in his kiss is overwhelming, filled with weeks of unspoken longing and desire. My knees go weak, and I'm grateful for his strong embrace holding me up.

I lose track of time as we stand there, lost in each other. When we finally part, both breathless, I keep my eyes closed for a moment, savoring the lingering sensation of his lips on mine.

When I open them, I find Jake watching me with an expression of awe and affection that makes my heart soar.