"Hmmm. This place seems nice and cozy. It’s certainly quiet." Abigail answered, but she was taken aback when she caught him staring at her with the sa intensity he had in the car earlier.
She tries to put aside her nervousness and smiles back at him.
"Glad you like it, Abby."
"Sawyer, do you own this place?"
It was easy for her to assu this; after all, only the owner could arrange for the chef to prepare a fine dining course specifically for them after the restaurant closed.
He shook his head slightly before taking a sip of his water.
"Don’t try to avoid it, Mr. Jones," Abigail said, amusent dancing in her eyes as she observed him. She can see tension clear in his gaze.
This wasn’t the first ti she had seen him in this state, which made it easy for her to guess what he was thinking. She had been right a few tis in the past.
Sawyer chuckled, finding her curious expression endearing. "How do you do that?" he asked.
"You an, how do I always guess correctly?" she replied, holding back a smile when she noticed him narrowing his eyes at her.
"You can assu that if you want, Abby," Sawyer answered vaguely. He realized he couldn’t openly discuss his business with her just yet—not until she accepted him as her lover.
Abigail no longer pressed Sawyer with any further questions.
She tried to enjoy the appetizer the waiter had just served while calming her mind. She didn’t know why, but she could feel Sawyer’s gaze was different from his usual.
’Or was I just overly sensitive now?’ Abigail silently smiled, feeling amused with herself. After a few minutes, her nerves began to settle.
However, once the waitress left them, Sawyer suddenly surprised her with his words, "Abby, I told my elders about you—"
"Cough! Cough!" Her loud coughing echoed in the room, startling Sawyer.
He quickly offered her water to help clear her throat.
After a mont, once she felt slightly better, Abigail looked at him with teary eyes and flushed cheeks.
Sawyer appeared concerned as he noticed her face turning red and tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. He offered her a soft, clean handkerchief.
"Don’t worry, it’s clean," Sawyer added when he noticed her hesitation.
After wiping away her tears, she looked at him again and asked, "What did you tell them? Why did you do that?"
She still couldn’t believe that Sawyer had ntioned her to his family.
Sawyer took a deep breath before explaining, "My grandpa and father are trying to set up with another woman. So, I honestly told them that I have soone I want to marry and asked them to stop."
Abigail’s hand clenched at his words, but she didn’t argue, even though her heart was racing at the thought of Sawyer’s family now knowing about her.
"I’m sorry, Abby. I didn’t have a choice but to tell them about you. I was only trying to be honest with them." He felt sorry for putting her in this position, but it was the only way to reject his father and grandfather’s plans for him.
Abigail’s heart softened when she heard his gentle voice and saw the warmth in his eyes. She calmly asked, "And how did they react? Did they believe you?"
"Of course they did. They’re no longer trying to force into an arranged marriage. But they did ask to take you to lunch with them," Sawyer replied, not entirely truthful this ti; he wanted to see how she would react.
Abigail didn’t know how to react to his words.
She got lost in her thoughts and began eating the main course—black pepper grilled lamb ribs—ignoring Sawyer’s gaze. Her mind was overwheld with questions.
Once she finished the at on her plate, she heard Sawyer’s soft voice, prompting her to look up at him. The warmth of his smile cald her down once again.
"Abby, I’m worried now. I feel ignored. Are you upset with because I told them about you?" he asked.
"Why do you always assu I’m upset with you, Sawyer? I’m not," she replied, managing a faint smile.
"I’m just shocked that you brought into your family conversation. It leaves confused about our relationship. As I recall, we’re just friends, right?" she added.
Putting down his cutlery, Sawyer kept his gentle gaze on Abigail, causing her to feel tense.
"You already knew from the beginning that I wanted to marry you; you know that, right?"
"I know. You asked out almost every hour while we were in your cabin." Abigail’s smile recalled those monts.
"I’m sorry for that, Abby. But you must know I want you forever, not just for a while."
She only gave him a faint smile as she heard him continue.
"I promised you earlier that I would propose to you properly. But it seems I need to do sothing now..." Sawyer stopped, smiling at her. "Abby, I don’t care if you can’t love yet. It’s fine with , but please date . Beco my girlfriend, please."
Seeing her still silent, Sawyer continued, "I’m sorry, but I can’t wait until you’re ready, Abby. I’m afraid soone will steal you from . I’d be heartbroken if that happened." He had never worried about being rejected, but now he felt it.
"Okay," Abigail answered softly. She no longer wanted to make him wait. Besides, this man would never stop asking if she didn’t give him a firm answer.
Sawyer took a deep breath, trying to remain calm as he asked, "Abby, do you really accept ?" His voice trembled with excitent, but he could not conceal the joy bubbling inside him like fireworks about to explode.
During their vacation at his cabin, Sawyer realized that Abigail liked him, too. However, she always avoided his questions whenever he tried to discuss their relationship.
"So, are we officially dating now?" he added, concerned that he might have misheard her earlier words.
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