Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
He nods, and I’m just about to command that he say more when he speaks. “You’re welcome, firefly. I’m happy to do all of it.”
I offer a smile, turning my head to look out the window, watching the sunset as we go. Before long, the car rolls to a stop at wherever he’s decided to take me.
“What is this place?”
“We’re in St. Paul, and this is the firefly arboretum.” He lifts his hand and points into the distance, and that’s when I see the arboretum and the garden of trees surrounding it.
As the last bits of sun fade away into the distance, the garden comes alive with the flickering light.
Standing motionless, I watch as the fireflies spiral up into the air, dipping and weaving in an intricate dance.
Their lights flash in unison, and for a moment, time stands still, and all that exists is the magic they create.
It’s incredible.
My heart beats faster as I take in the space. We are the only people here. “It’s empty…”
It’s as if all the air has been sucked out of the room, leaving only a vacuum in its wake. I don’t understand how this could happen. My mind races with questions, but they all seem to fade into the background as I focus on the one voice that seems to answer them all.
“Of course it is,” he says simply. I can see the truth in his eyes, even if I don’t want to believe it. “I bought out the location for the night.”
And just like that, everything falls into place. In an instant, I see the beauty in his plan. The perfection of it. And I can’t help but be impressed. He leads me toward a table set up in the middle, and on top of it is food and wine. It’s lavish and romantic.
I don’t know how to feel about it.
Why is he going to so much effort for me?
My hands shake at my sides as I make my approach.
It’s mind-blowing the thought he’s put into this, and I’m not sure if I love it or if it makes me scared.
Scared to let him do nice things for me because I’m not used to anyone doing anything for me that doesn’t come with a price. A price I’m not willing to pay.
But despite all these thoughts, I can’t deny that this place is beautiful.
Together, we approach the table, and Gideon steps forward and pulls my chair out for me.
The way he’s acting, it’s like we’re on a date.
A very expensive, very elaborate date. One that typically ends with a question and a yes that’s cried out.
Not this time.
A large part of me wants to close down, put my walls up, and not enjoy this, but I don’t allow myself to do that.
Instead, I give myself this reprieve from hating him.
Oh, who am I kidding? I haven’t hated him since he gave me back my cello.
Taking a seat, I sit with my hands in my lap, playing with my fingers as Gideon takes the spot across from me.
It’s an intimate setting.
In front of us, the table is set with a beautiful array of food. Plates of cheese and meats. Filets, mini quiches. There’s a bit of everything here, and I’m not sure where to begin.
Quietly, I start to eat, and after a few bites, I reach across to the glass of wine that had already been poured for us prior to our arrival. I don’t usually drink, but a small sip won’t hurt.
“Now that you have me here…why?” The words are out, and I wish I could take them back. They sound so ungrateful. “Not that I don’t appreciate it. I do. This is…wonderful.”
He nods. “I guess I should explain, but I’m not going to. It’s for me to know.”
“Why?”
“Because I can.”
I bite my cheek, thinking about his non-answer. “That’s not really an answer.”
“It’s the only one I’m willing to give, firefly.” He looks at me with a sly smile. I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking. “I did this because I wanted to,” he says finally. I shake my head, not understanding why he would go through all this trouble just for me. “It’s as simple as that, firefly.”
“And the name—”
He shakes his head. “What?”
“Why do you call me that?”
“I call you firefly because you’re a little light shining bravely in the darkness.” He shrugs. “Your light illuminates the darkness.”
For a moment, the world turns on its axis.
My heart hammers in my chest, hummingbirds trying to take flight inside me. I close my eyes, trying to halt the feelings running through me.
“But why all this—” I whisper. “It’s so much.”
Something in his demeanor shifts. His back straightens, and his features darken slightly. “After your brother…The way he fell. I owe you—”
I furrow my brow at his words and the change in him. “What do you mean? What do you know about his fall?” Everything inside me feels frozen, but he’s quick to shake his head.