Chapter 7

Ash

I f it weren't for Soren's text yesterday asking me if I was allergic to anything, I would have thought he'd changed his mind. Thankfully, he didn't, and now that I was done with my shift at the restaurant, I was waiting for him outside to pick me up for our date.

The fight Kai and I had at the beginning of the week left me feeling like shit, and the words he'd thrown at me hit their target. I knew there was no way Soren was actually interested in me, and I didn't need Kai to say it, too, but he did anyway. The fact I'd lied about my age also didn't help my nerves about this date, and now, I was sweating into my clothes with the fear I'd mess the whole thing up.

Five minutes before the time we scheduled, Soren's car pulled up in front of me, and a moment later, Soren got out.

"You look handsome," he said as he rounded the car to greet me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I bit my lip. We weren't the only ones out here on the street, and Soren sure did attract attention. Especially with the way he looked today. He screamed of old money, dressed in a white linen shirt, gray slacks that looked expensive, and a pair of stylish sunglasses.

"I look like a joke compared to you," I said, a bit embarrassed of my ripped jeans and a plain T-shirt. I'd never cared much for fashion, so my closet was pretty cheap. The truth was I had more wet suits hung in there than actual clothes.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Soren gave me a flattering once-over. "You look absolutely gorgeous, Ashton."

Ashton. My name slipping out of his sophisticated mouth ran shivers down my spine. A blush crept to my face, and I tried to brush it off by rubbing my cheeks with the back of my fist.

"Let's go, or we'll be late," Soren offered, cutting off my awkwardness while opening the car door for me.

"Where are we going?" I asked after getting in, enjoying the scent of the leather seats mixing with Soren's clean cologne.

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Are you worried I might kidnap you?" Soren asked while waiting for me to step out of his car and join him on the runway.

Taking his hand, I finally did, my eyes never leaving the private jet standing in the middle of the lane.

"You have a plane?" I blurted out, asking the question I'd had in mind ever since we entered the small private airport.

"Well." Holding my hand, he began leading the way toward the jet. "It's one of the family's private jets, so technically, it isn't mine." As we reached the stairs, he waited for me to climb first, then continued. "But I use it quite often."

Going to school in Bay High, I was used to teens flexing their money. Kai and Zoe both came from wealthy families, but not this type of wealthy.

The small crew greeted us, and once Soren and I settled on the comfy leather seats, the flight attendant announced we'd take off soon.

"Is there anything you'd like to drink?" Soren asked, and I shook my head.

I was too overwhelmed to drink, eat, or even breathe.

Still nervous, my eyes continued to look around the small jet until something occurred to me. "I have work tomorrow morning."

"You're so cute," he chuckled and reached to rub my hand. "But don't worry, we'll be back in LA before night."

His light touch made me a bit less nervous, and I nodded. This date, which had only just started, felt like a scene from a movie I didn't belong in. But whenever Soren looked my way, with eyes the color of stormy clouds, I wanted to belong. And why shouldn't I? My current life wasn't at all that glamorous. My heart just got broken by the person I loved the most in this world, and it didn't look like it was going to get better anytime soon.

So, if a man I hardly knew was already able to make me feel more precious than Kai ever had, why shouldn't I enjoy it? Why should I keep thinking back on how cruel Kai was when I could enjoy Soren's company? I shouldn't . As easy as that.

And if I thought for a mere moment that a private plane would be the pick of the evening, I was wrong.

So incredibly wrong.

After an hour-and-a-half flight, we landed in Sonoma Valley, where another car awaited us. Again, not knowing my way around cars, all I could say was that it looked pretty. And expensive.

It was still daylight as we drove through miles and miles of vineyards until we reached a restaurant located in the middle of one. It was a beautiful building made out of stone that reminded me of houses in Italy. I'd never been there before, but my parents' honeymoon was in Italy, and Mom still had a photo album from then. I used to spend hours looking at the old images of my parents being young and in love, secretly hoping to create my own memories there one day.

"I can't say this is the same as the one in Europe, but it's as close as it gets," Soren said, referring to the winery we were led through while being walked to our tables. "I would have taken you to Tuscany if it weren't for school and work. But perhaps, next time, we can arrange a long weekend?"

My heart missed a beat, not only because he'd just described my secret fantasy but also because he mentioned a next time .

Does that mean he likes me?

"I don't think I can afford to go there," I said, feeling sad because it could have been a dream come true.

Shaking his head, Soren placed his hand behind my back and leaned close. "When you're saying such cute things, I find it hard to resist." He let go of me and went on to speak with the waiter, leaving me confused.

Resist? Resist what? And what part about me being broke was cute?

I couldn't dive deeper into it because soon, we sat down next to a small table with a stunning view of the valley. It was just then that the sun began to set, painting the sky with beautiful shades of peach.

Not a minute had passed, and the waiter had already placed the first dish before me. I looked down at the fancy-looking plate, beef tartare, and then up to Soren.

"I hope you don't mind that I took the initiative and ordered for us," he explained while spreading a white napkin over his lap. "This is a three-star restaurant. The waiting list is around two years in advance, but thankfully, the chef is a dear family friend, and he made sure we'd have the best table."

Did I mind it? Not at all. If anything, I found it flattering that he'd taken the time to think all this through.

"Is this why you asked me if I had any allergies?" I asked while debating with myself if I should start eating or wait for him.

"Yes." Soren smiled. "I have the most annoying allergy to mushrooms, so I always make sure to check."

"Is it a bad one?" I used to have a friend who had a life-threatening allergy to peanuts.

"If you ever want to kill me, give me a champignon mushroom." He winked, and I chuckled.

"Don't worry, I won't."

"Here, try this." Putting a bit from the tartare on his fork, Soren then brought it to my mouth. Parting my lips for him, I took the small bite.

It tasted weird , and I guess my face was telling because Soren laughed.

"You don't like it?"

"No." I shook my head, an awkward smile on my face. "It's not that. It's just so… raw?"

"That's the point of tartare." His voice was adoring. "But it can be an acquired taste, same as with wine, and speaking of which, I would have offered you a drink, but as you're not twenty-one yet, it's a bit problematic."

My cheeks burned with the shame of my lie. I wondered how he'd react when he found out about my real age. Pushing the thought aside, since I'd rather enjoy my date, I took another bite of the beef.

"You know, on second thought, it doesn't taste too bad," I lied again since it was still too fucking raw.

As dinner progressed, so did our conversation. If at first there was awkwardness, little by little, my stress began to disappear, until I truly enjoyed myself. Soren was so charming and handsome that half the time, I didn't even realize he'd spoken because I was so immersed in his looks.

"Are you any good at it?" Soren asked after I told him I love surfing.

"I did participate in a few competitions and even won first place, but I don't think I'm better than anyone else." I also planned on making a career out of surfing, but I couldn't tell him that without selling myself out.

Shaking his head, Soren leaned back on his chair. "If you won first place, you're most definitely better than others, Ashton. It almost sounds like you're apologizing for winning."

It wasn't that I felt bad for taking first place, but more like I didn't enjoy the attention that came with it. I didn't surf to win prizes but because I loved it. I'd only started to compete after realizing it was the best way to make a career out of surfing. Which could be awesome, considering I hated school.

"I just don't like to brag," I said.

"It's not bragging when it's justified." Soren tilted his head, his stunning eyes piercing into me. "Don't be ashamed of being a winner."

I somehow found his cockiness sexy. Was that weird?

"Can you still compete while going to college? Isn't it a bit too hard?" he asked after putting down his wine glass.

Trying to avoid the question, I took a big bite from my food. After taking my sweet time chewing, I cleaned my lips with the napkin. "Well, enough about me. Maybe tell me about yourself?" So far, he'd asked most of the questions. "Why did you choose to become a lawyer?"

"I always loved the theater, and there's no better stage than the court."

My brows pulled close. "Are you serious?"

"Oh, for sure." He grinned. "In the leading role, you have your defense lawyer, while the judge and jury are your crowd, and the courtroom is your stage."

Putting my elbows on the table, I leaned closer. "And what about the defendant?"

Soren huffed. "He's nothing but an extra," he said, giving me a teasing look. "A trial is a one-man show in which you need to sell your case. Whether arguing for someone's innocence or reciting Shakespeare's lines, it doesn't matter. As a defense lawyer, you act the part and sell the show."

The more Soren spoke, the more I realized how incredible he was. If he carried the same attitude in court, I had no doubt he'd never lose a case.

"But isn't working with criminals scary? Wouldn't you rather work for the attorney general?"

"Working for the attorney general?" He snorted a laugh. "You are honestly the cutest little thing." He bit on his bottom lip before emptying his wineglass.

"W-What did I do now?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And, to answer your question, no. I don't find working with criminals scary at all. My grandfather, whom I always looked up to, was a defense lawyer. He also had his own law firm that my father now runs."

That sounds sweet, like a family business.

"So, are you going to work there once you graduate?"

"Of course not."

Wait, what?

"Why wouldn't you?" I asked, confused.

"Because I love winning, and as much as I love my father, I plan to learn from the best, and he's not the best."

The waiter then came and took away our empty dishes and quickly cleaned up the table, supplying us with new cutlery for dessert.

"Isn't that a bit mean? Won't his feelings get hurt?"

"I believe involving emotions where they don't belong is pointless, Ashton. Hence, the use of ‘mean' is irrelevant in this case. My father knows he'll forever have my love and respect, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't take away his clients one day."

"That's a bit harsh," I said.

"That's life for you."

It was crazy to believe Soren was only a few years older than me, with how smart and mature he was. His perspective on life was clearly different from my own, but perhaps I should learn from him?

Reaching forward, Soren grabbed my hand and tangled our fingers together. His soft skin was overshadowed by how cold his hands were, and it made me think of an old, lonely man. Still, I enjoyed the touch.

"I sense you're thinking too hard about the things I say, Ashton, so don't. I'm well aware I can come off like a total snob."

"No!" I cut into his words, clenching his hand harder. "Not at all." My cheeks flushed red.

"Good. Because I truly enjoyed tonight and would love to see you again."

Holy shit. Is this actually happening? Not only was it ridiculous that Soren wanted us to go on another date, but it was also exactly what I wanted, too.

"Well, we still have the whole flight back home for you to change your mind." My joke failed as it only fed my insecurities.

Soren noticed my change of mood, and he caressed my hand with his thumb before bringing it to his lips and kissing the back of my palm. Despite his cold skin, his touch was nothing but warm.

"You'll find out, soon enough, that I never change my mind once it's set."