Part 35 ( Ellie )

I step out of the medical training facility, stretching my arms above my head with a slow exhale. My ankle feels better, definitely not perfect, but manageable. At least I can walk without looking like I'm dragging a dead limb behind me. Progress.

I pull my phone out of my pocket, unlocking it with one hand as I lean against my car. A few messages sit unread, but I skip past them, tapping on Juliet's name instead.

Me: Meet me at that new restaurant by the beach.

I drum my fingers against the side of the car as I wait for her response. It comes faster than I expect.

Juliet: Romantic dinner? By the ocean? Am I about to be proposed to?

I snort, shaking my head.

Me: I'll drop to one knee the second you walk in.

Juliet: If you do, I'm leaving.

Me: tempting.

A few seconds pass, then—

Juliet: Fine. But if this is some ploy to get me to watch the sunset with you, I'm ordering the most expensive bottle of wine.

I grin.

Me: Who's to stop you?

She doesn't reply right away, but I know she'll be there.

Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I slide into my car and head home to change.

-

By the time I step out of the shower, the clock on my nightstand reads 7:47 PM. I towel off, shaking the water from my hair before running a hand through it. I don't bother styling it too much, just enough to keep it from looking like I rolled out of bed.

I rifle through my closet, bypassing the hoodies and sweatpants, and settle on something cleaner. A white shirt. A fitted black blazer. Black pants to match.

I check the time again. Still enough of a buffer before I need to be at the restaurant. Grabbing my keys, I step out.

-

The restaurant is already buzzing when I walk in, low lighting, a warm, modern interior, the sound of clinking glasses and quiet conversation filling the space. The waves roll lazily under the moonlight, close enough to see but far enough that the wind and sand don't creep in.

I let the hostess lead me to a table near the windows. The seat across from me remains empty.

Juliet isn't here yet.

I glance at the menu before setting it aside and motioning for the waiter. "Just a drink for now," I say, ordering wine.

The glass is placed in front of me moments later, and I lean back in my seat, rolling my ankle slightly beneath the table, testing its limits.

I hear footsteps.

And there she is.

Juliet, effortlessly pulling attention without trying. A black dress clings to her in all the right ways, fabric draping over her curves with lethal precision. Her hair is styled to perfection, lips painted red deep and intoxicating.

My gaze drags over her, before landing on her face.

Her eyes meet mine, and she smirks.

I exhale, shaking my head as I take another sip of my drink.

"Two days in a row now," I murmur as she approaches, my voice just loud enough for her to hear. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to match with me on purpose."

Juliet arches a brow, sliding smoothly into the seat across from me. "Please. If I wanted to match, I'd do it better."

I smile at her.

She hums, scanning me with sharp, assessing eyes. "Nice blazer."

"Nice dress."

Her smirk widens. "I know."

I shake my head, amused. "So cocky."

The waiter comes by and asks if we're ready to order.

I order for the both of us without asking. I know what she likes.

When the waiter leaves, she folds her hands together, resting her chin lightly on her fingers. "So."

I lift a brow. "So."

"Why this place?"

I shrug. "Looked nice."

She gives me a look, like she doesn't quite believe me. "That's all?"

I roll the glass between my fingers. "Maybe I just wanted to take you out somewhere that doesn't involve a football stadium or my couch."

Juliet hums, pleased. "How thoughtful."

I watch her, taking in the way the candlelight catches in her eyes, the way she seems perfectly at ease in a place like this.

I smile at her. "You look absolutely beautiful. Have i told you that yet?"

Juliet tilts her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "No, you haven't," she says smoothly, lips curling into a smirk. "Tell me again."

I chuckle, setting my glass down and leaning forward just enough to meet her gaze head-on. "You look beautiful."

The teasing glimmer in her eyes softening for just a moment. She shifts slightly in her seat, her fingers grazing the edge of her wine glass before she speaks again, voice quieter than before. "Thank you."

Then, without missing a beat, she smirks. "You look gorgeous."

It's my turn to raise a brow. "Oh? Gorgeous?"

She shrugs, taking a sip of her wine. "If the word fits."

I shake my head, grinning. "I'll take it."

Juliet sets her glass down, tilting her head as she studies me. "So, what's the occasion, Crawford? A fancy restaurant, candlelight, matching outfits? This feels dangerously close to a date."

I don't hesitate. "It is."

She blinks, lips parting slightly as if she expected me to dodge the question, to turn it into another game. Instead, I just watch her, letting the words settle between us.

Her fingers skim the base of her wine glass. "You're serious."

I nod, leaning forward slightly. "Yeah. I am."

She doesn't speak right away, her gaze flicking over my face like she's trying to read between the lines. "You didn't tell me it was a date."

"I didn't think I had to."

Juliet exhales softly, shaking her head. "Of course you didn't."

I tilt my head. "Is that a problem?"

She presses her lips together, then lets out a quiet laugh. "No," she murmurs. "Not at all."

Warmth settles into my chest. "Good."

Juliet picks up her glass again, studying me over the rim before taking a sip. When she sets it down, her voice is softer. "You really planned this?"

I nod. "Wanted to take you somewhere nice."

She hums, running a finger along the condensation on her glass. "No stadium. No locker room. No rushing out the door to get somewhere." She meets my eyes. "Just us."

I swallow, my fingers tapping against the table lightly. "Just us."

Juliet's lips twitch like she's holding back a real smile. "I like it."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Yeah?"

She nods. "Yeah."

I shake my head, grinning. "Glad to hear it."

She glances toward the window, where the ocean stretches out under the moonlight, the waves glistening under the dim glow. "You really are leaning into the whole romantic atmosphere," she muses.

I smirk. "Don't get used to it."

Juliet arches a brow. "No? You're not going to wine and dine me every night?"

I take a slow sip of my drink, pretending to consider it. "Depends."

"On?"

"How much I'm enjoying myself."

Juliet leans forward slightly, elbows resting on the table. "And? Are you?"

I hold her gaze, letting the moment stretch just long enough before I nod. "I am."

Her lips twitch, and I know she won't say it out loud, but I can tell, so is she.

Just as she opens her mouth to respond, the waiter arrives, setting down our plates with practiced ease. The aroma of perfectly cooked steak, seasoned vegetables, and fresh bread fills the air.

"Your meal," the waiter announces before stepping away.

Juliet picks up her fork, glancing at the plate before looking back at me. "Ordered for me without asking," she muses. "Confident, aren't we?"

I smirk, cutting into my steak. "I know what you like."

She eyes me for a second before shaking her head, amusement flickering in her gaze. "That you do."

We settle into our meal, the conversation flowing as effortlessly as ever.

-

The check arrives, placed neatly in the center of the table. Before Juliet can so much as reach for it, I already have my card out, sliding it onto the tray without hesitation.

Juliet's eyes narrow. "Ellie."

I sip the last of my drink. "What?"

She leans forward slightly, fingers grazing the edge of the bill. "I can pay."

"I know," I say easily, signaling the waiter before she can protest further. "But I asked you out, so I'm paying."

Juliet scoffs. "That's not how this works."

I raise a brow. "Says who?"

"Says me," she counters. "You paid last time."

"And I'll pay next time too."

Her jaw clenches slightly, eyes flickering between me and the check, like she's debating whether it's worth starting an argument over.

The waiter returns, taking the tray before she can make a move. I smirk. "Too late."

She exhales, shaking her head as she reaches for her wine glass, only to realize it's empty. With a sigh, she sets it back down. "Fine," she mutters. "But next time, I'm paying."

"We'll see about that."

Juliet rolls her eyes and stands, smoothing out her dress. I follow suit, sliding my blazer back into place as we make our way toward the exit.

The faint scent of salt carried in the breeze as we step into the parking lot. I reach for her hand, fingers intertwining with hers as I tug her slightly to the right.

Her brows furrow. "My car's the other way."

"I know," I say, tugging her along. "Come on."

Juliet resists slightly, but not enough to actually stop me. "Ellie, what are you—"

"I wanna walk on the beach," I say simply, steering us toward the small pathway that leads down to the sand.

She gives me a suspicious look but doesn't pull away. "Since when do you want to walk on the beach?"

"Since right now."

Juliet exhales, but there's something amused in the way she lets me lead her.

-

The sand is cool beneath our feet as we step onto the beach, the distant crashing of the ocean filling the space between us. The moon casts a silvery glow over the water, waves rolling gently against the shore.

We walk in comfortable silence, my thumb tracing slow circles against the back of her hand. Juliet's gaze flickers toward me every so often, but she doesn't press for answers. Not yet.

It isn't until we round a slight bend in the shoreline that she stops short.

Her hand tightens in mine.

I watch as her gaze sweeps over the roses, scattered across the sand in a small tent, The sign, partially hidden beneath them, is unmistakable.

Be mine?

Juliet is speechless.

Her fingers tighten around mine as she slowly turns to face me. "Ellie..." she says in almost a whisper.

I swallow, my heart hammering harder than it probably should. "Too much?" I ask, forcing a small smile.

She blinks. "You planned this?"

I shrug, shifting slightly on my feet. "Wanted to make it official."

Juliet exhales, eyes flickering back to the sign before settling on me again.

I step a little closer, my fingers brushing against her jaw as I tilt her chin up slightly. "I mean it," I murmur. "I want to be with you."

Juliet swallows, her breath catching just slightly. "You want this?"

I nod, my thumb tracing the line of her cheek. "I've never been more sure of anything."

But I don't stop there.

I take her hands, squeezing them gently. "No more figuring it out," I say, voice steady. "No more 'we're getting there.' No more waiting to see what happens."

Juliet's breath stutters, her lips parting, but I don't give her the space to doubt, to question, to deflect.

"I know that I want you," I continue, my voice softer now, but no less firm. "I want you now. I want you later. I want you forever." My fingers tighten around hers. "I don't care how long it took us to get here. I don't care how messy or complicated it was. The only thing that matters is this. You and me. We're not kids in college anymore. We don't have to make excuses. We can do this."

I exhale, pressing my forehead lightly against hers. "Be mine, Jules." The words are not a question, not a plea, just the simple truth of what I want. "Really. Fully."

For a long moment, she doesn't move, doesn't say anything.

She bites her lip, shaking her head, almost like she can't believe me. But then she exhales, like she's letting go of every doubt, every hesitation, every excuse.

She cups my face, tilting me up into a kiss that's nothing short of everything.

It's deep, stealing the breath from my lungs and replacing it with hers. My arms tighten around her waist, pulling her impossibly closer, like if I hold her tight enough, she'll understand just how much I mean every word.

She exhales softly against my lips, and I chase the sound, tilting my head to deepen the kiss. Her fingers slide into my hair, nails scraping lightly against my scalp, sending shivers down my spine. I groan into her mouth, the warmth of her, the taste of her, dizzying.

She presses forward, and I let her, letting her take whatever she wants, whatever she needs. The kiss slows, then deepens again, like neither of us are ready to pull away. Like we're afraid of what will happen if we do.

Her hands trace down my back, then over my shoulders, gripping the lapels of my blazer like she's anchoring herself. I grip her hips, thumbs slipping beneath the fabric of her dress, brushing against the soft, warm skin there. She shivers, and I swallow the little gasp she lets out, drinking her in like I'll never get enough.

The kiss grows more urgent, more heated. I slide my hands up her thighs, fingertips grazing the lacy edge of her stockings. She gasps against my mouth, and i deepen the kiss further. Her tongue flicks out, teasing the seam of my lips, and I open for her with a low groan.

She tastes like wine and sin, and I can't get enough. My fingers dig into the soft flesh of her hips, pulling her impossibly closer. I can feel every curve of her body, every dip and swell, and it's driving me mad with desire.

She makes a needy sound in the back of her throat, and it goes straight to my cock. I'm hard as steel, straining against the confines of my trousers. I want nothing more than to lift her up, wrap her legs around my waist, and carry her to the nearest flat surface. I want to strip her bare and worship every inch of her skin with my mouth.

But I force myself to slow down. This isn't about my pleasure, it's about hers. I want to make her feel good, to show her just how much I want her, how much I need her. I slide my hands up her back, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin fabric of her dress. I can feel her heartbeat, fast and erratic, matching my own.

She breaks the kiss with a gasp, her chest heaving. Her lips are red and swollen, her eyes dark with desire. She looks wrecked, and it's all because of me. The knowledge sends a surge of power through me, and I lean in, pressing soft, open-mouthed kisses along her jawline.

"You're so beautiful," I murmur against her skin. "So fucking perfect."

She shivers, tilting her head to give me better access. I take full advantage, trailing kisses down the column of her throat, nipping lightly at her pulse point. She arches into me with a soft moan.

I slide my hands into her hair, gripping the silky strands and tugging lightly. She moans again, and I take advantage, capturing her mouth in another searing kiss. Our tongues dance, tangling and twisting in a desperate quest for more. She tastes like heaven, like everything I've ever wanted and never knew I needed.

The world falls away, and there's nothing but us, lost in a sea of sensation. The heat between us is palpable, the tension wound so tight it's almost painful. I know we're reaching a breaking point, that one more touch, one more kiss, and we'll both shatter.

And god, do I want to shatter with her.

When she pulls back, my heart is pounding, my body thrumming with the need to pull her right back in. Her eyes are bright, her lips slightly swollen, and her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm yours."

My chest tightens, and for the first time in years, I don't feel like I'm chasing something I can't have.

Because she's right here.

And she's mine.

Her lips part, and she's closing the space between us, again.

Her lips meet mine, warm and sure, and I melt into it immediately. I pull her closer. The ocean hums in the background, but all I can focus on is her, her scent, her warmth, the way she tastes like wine vanilla.

She breaks away just slightly, her forehead resting against mine. Her breath is warm against my skin, her hands still clutching the lapels of my blazer. For a second, she just looks at me, her expression open in a way I don't see often.

Then, softly, like she's still wrapping her mind around it, she says, "I love you."

The words hit me like a slow burn, spreading warmth through my chest, settling into every part of me like they belong there. Like they always have.

I inhale, tightening my grip on her waist, like holding her closer might somehow capture this moment forever. "Say it again," I murmur.

Juliet huffs a quiet laugh, tilting her head. "I love you."

I exhale, my forehead pressing against hers. "God, I love you more."

She exhales, closing her eyes for half a second before opening them again.

Then, she whispers, "Okay."

A slow grin spreads across my lips. "Okay?"

She leans in, pressing another kiss to the corner of my mouth. "Okay."

I grin, feeling a weight lift from my chest, a sense of certainty settling into place, solid and unwavering.

I kiss her again, slow, deep, certain.