narrator appeared in our car to point out a historical landmark and give us a story behind it. I had no idea if the stories were made up or real, but I got sucked into them along with everybody else. He wasn’t so boring either, making us laugh and teasing the passengers good-naturedly.
At one point, I caught August watching me as I chuckled, and I waited for him to say something about my change in attitude, but he didn’t.
And I appreciated it.
I could be difficult at times, and generally Declan confronted me. August’s look said he saw right through the BS, but he didn’t need to point it out because he knew I also already knew it was just that. Bullshit.
Once I allowed myself to relax, the evening surpassed my expectations. Dinner had to be ordered upon making the reservations, and since it was all a surprise dinner, I never had any input in what I wanted to eat.
Still, August had chosen well—a vegan meal for me. I was glad he hadn’t ordered the same for himself, just to make me feel good. I even accepted the slice of cheesecake with blueberry syrup he’d ordered for dessert.
I could always work it off tomorrow.
“So how is it?” August asked me when everyone minded their own business and we didn’t have to listen to any more narration.
“I might’ve been wrong about my prior assessment of dining on a moving train.”
“Might’ve?”
“That’s as much admission as you’re getting out of me. It’s even kind of romantic.”
“Kind of?”
“Yes, kind of. It’s still missing something.”
And I wasn’t about to be the one to enlighten him on what. Even with the missing piece, I was actually having a blast.
At one point, we were told we could explore the train. August laughed as I was one of the first to get to my feet.
“It’s a three-hour train ride. What did you expect?”
But it was more than having the opportunity to move around after being seated. I wanted to make the most of our date. In just shy of a week, Declan and Owen would be back. Everything would go back to normal, including August being just family.
All the three different cars of the train had its own unique name. We had the opportunity to walk through all three, me leading with August holding my hand and tagging along. We viewed the art pieces, which all had to do with some historical facts about the railway, and we listened to the three sisters sing again to entertain the passengers.
At the tavern, we ordered a drink, while the others went ahead to meet the kitchen crew. The co-owner had explained to us that all the meals were prepared on the train, which was the reason the orders were taken ahead of time to get a start with the food preparation.
“Best part of the evening?” August asked me as we savored our drink.
“I’m still waiting on the best part to happen.”
I stared directly at him when I said it, not shying away from the chemistry that ran hot between us all evening. It might’ve been tempered, since we were around so many people, but it was there.
“You know what my best part of the evening was?”
“What?”
“Getting to know you.”
I scoffed at that. “We hardly got to speak.”
“Sometimes it’s not the things we say that matter. It was great watching the way you enjoyed the evening. I wanted tonight to be special for you.”
I laughed uneasily. “We didn’t even have to go on a date, you know.”
“Are you telling me you don’t have to be wined and dined to put out?”
I shrugged. “If I were playing games, I wouldn’t mind, but the older I get, the more I just take what I want when I want it.”
August’s face crinkled with humor. “Is that so?” He took a drink. “Any idea what you’ll be taking home tonight?”
“You.”
He got to his feet and placed his glass on the counter. “Let’s get through the rest of the night and see if you’re right.”
It became almost impossible for us to talk again as we tried to catch up with the rest of the crew from our car, but they had already doubled back. August and I forged ahead until the conductor invited us to blow the horn.
“This is ridiculous,” I mumbled, but August took my hand in his.
“Nope, it’s fun, and you can do with some fun.”
“You realize that’s all I’m criticized for doing? Having too much fun?”