Concealed by Victoria Michaels Page A

comfortable they were together. Sydney set the table while Wade laid out the food. The square shaped table was cozy and intimate, especially when Sydney put the place settings side by side rather than across the table from one another. If she was going to have this date, then for one night, she was going to enjoy herself, and the closer she was to Wade, the better.
    When they finally sat down, Wade filled her plate. Each bite was more delicious than the next. Flavors exploded in her mouth, and it was intoxicating knowing that he had gone through so much trouble for her.
    “This is amazing, Wade. Thank you.”
    “I’m glad you came. I know Melissa didn’t give you all the details on the auction before you entered and you could have said no.” For just a second he lowered his defenses and she could see his vulnerability.
    With a sincere smile she said, “I don’t think Melissa would have left for Europe until she forced us into this date.”
    “Forced?” he asked with a smile.
    “Coerced is probably a better word.” Feeling happier than she had in a long time, she raised her wine glass. “To Melissa and her brilliant ideas.” She knew she’d remember this night for the rest of her life and she had Melissa to thank for it.
    They spent hours talking and laughing about everything from movies, to music, to the people in town. Their time together flew by. It was great to see him so animated. It was a side of him she hadn’t seen before. He shared a lot about his family and she shared pieces of her past, without giving too much away. A part of her wanted to lay it out – the whole ugly truth. There was something about him that made her want to open up and trust him, but she knew it couldn’t happen. For a second she allowed herself to think that a relationship with Wade was possible, but then reality rushed back in. They were pathetic fantasies and she knew it, but it felt good to think about frivolous things for a change. All the darkness seemed so far way when she was with Wade.
    In the middle of their evening, Sydney’s phone beeped. She did her best to ignore it, angry that she hadn’t turned it off completely, but if there was a problem with Faith, she wanted to make sure she could be reached at any time. There was no way she could stand to be completely cut off from her daughter. She apologized, but Wade understood her need to stay connected to Faith and didn’t seem bothered in the least. When she checked the message, they both were relieved to see it was from Melissa. She sent a picture of the St. Louis Arch, assured them she was fine and sent her love.
    “She has always loved an adventure.” Wade laughed as he took the last of the dinner dishes and rinsed them in the sink.
    “I can imagine running around with you and her brother kept her on her toes and prepared her well for this trip.”
    “You have no idea.”
     
    AFTER DINNER, THEY WENT outside, where Wade led her to a porch swing that was tucked off in the shadows. He lit a few candles on the small table and placed a blanket across her legs as they finished the bottle of wine in the crisp fall air.
    “You’re so lucky,” she murmured turning to snuggle closer to him for warmth. It was impossible to keep from smiling when he slipped his arm around her shoulder and held her tight against his side. Sydney just hoped the darkness would hide her reaction from him a little.
    “Why?” he whispered against her temple.
    “Because you have all of this.” She waved her glass at the house and the property. “You have a town that adores you, a supportive family, you enjoy your job, and we’ve already established you’re good at just about everything.” His chest shook with laughter.
    “I like this,” he said softly looking out into the dark.
    “What?” Sydney murmured softly.
    “This. Here. With you.”
    It was as if the world around them had gone silent at his words. After all the months of wanting him, she finally had him all to herself. As