26 Happy Birthday, Boots 2 (2/2)

”It's perfect. Thank you!”

Hunter helped Ash put on the bracelet. As he closed the clasp around her left wrist, Ash kissed him lightly on his cheek.

”You will come home with me, yes?” he asked earnestly as he looked into her eyes.

Ash nodded. Hunter felt a sudden joy explode in his heart.

Even as Hunter was overjoyed, a look of worry came over Ash's face.

”I haven't told them yet. I'll have to tell them I'm going with you, but I don't know how to say it,” she said. Ash chewed nervously on her bottom lip.

”It's all right, Boots. We'll figure it out. You'll find the right moment and you'll know what to say.”

The car slowed to a stop in front of a restaurant. They were having steaks for lunch, Isabelle's treat.

”We're here, Sir,” the driver announced, looking into the backseat via the rearview mirror.

”Thank you. I'll call you when we're done.”

The driver nodded. Inside, he was relieved that the young man seemed to have forgotten his earlier fit of jealousy. The driver had been afraid that he would cause a scene in front of his girlfriend. Thankfully, nothing crazy had happened on the drive.

Hunter stepped out of the car and held Ash's hand as she got out. Celia and Isabelle had already entered the restaurant, and Isabelle was waving to them through the glass door.

Ash squeezed Hunter's hand---the same hand that still hadn't let hers go after she had stepped out of the car. She walked ahead and led him by the hand inside the restaurant.

[Here we go,] she thought, as the server opened the door to let them in.