Page 33 of Assigned

Chapter Fourteen

Lucas

Russo’s is packed tonight. Even the servers are rushing around more than usual. Although to be honest, the last time I was here was three years ago. Maybe this is a typical Thursday night. Russo’s is not the kind of place I go to all the time. It’s a ‘special occasion’ kind of restaurant, which is why we’re here. Riley deserved to be taken somewhere elegant, somewhere special, somewhere I couldn’t go in a T-shirt and jeans, somewhere her father wouldn’t think I’d ever be able to afford or appreciate.

To say her apology rocked my world would be a world-class understatement and I’m not just talking about the sex, although that was mind-blowing. Those scars. She’s been through something. Something hard. Something it’s not easy for her to talk about. She’s trusting me now and letting me know I can trust her with Mason.

Her support touched me in a way I don’t expect. Something warm unfurled in my chest and the tightness went away. Could we make a home for Mason? A family for all three of us? Is Riley really here for the long haul? Maybe I should stop looking for signs that she’s going to leave. It’s possible that I’ve been too sensitive. Lisa’s engagement did bother me. Not that I expected my ex-wife to remain single the rest of her life, but there was a sting to it when I found out she was getting remarried. One more sign that I wasn’t good enough, that I’d failed as a man. I’d had the same feeling with Riley when she walked away from me at the beach, but she’s still here and she’s telling me she wants to be there for me and for my son.

I look to my right as Riley fidgets, adjusting the strap of her dress. The silky apricot fabric shines against her honeyed skin. “You look stunning.”

She dips her chin and smiles. Since when has she ever been shy? Or maybe I don’t compliment her enough. Gotta address that. She deserves to know how beautiful she is. All the time.

“Right this way.” The maître d’ leads us through the maze of tables to our seats.

The place is beautiful. White tablecloths starched within an inch of their lives and flickering candles. Glinting silver and carpet so soft I feel like I’m sinking into it. It’s pricey, too, but I have a lot to make up for. Stomping around like a damn fool instead of trying to make this marriage work. Luckily, Taya was able to pull some strings and get us in here. The manager used to work over at Shaken and Stirred, the restaurant she works at.

Riley peruses the menu and lowers it after a minute, her eyebrows raised. “Um, Lucas. You know we could’ve gone out for burgers, right?”

“Price isn’t an issue. Get whatever you want.” If only her father could be here. Certainly a far cry from the poor kid who wasn’t good enough for his daughter he thought I’d always be.

I sit back in my chair and relax for the first time in days. The soft ambient music and warm dim lighting help. The waiter approaches, his black uniform neatly ironed and crisp. Funny the things I notice thanks to the military.

“May I take your order?” He looks expectantly at Riley.

Riley glances at the menu once more, then hands it to the waiter. “I’ll take the salmon, but can I substitute white rice for the potatoes?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He turns to face me. “And for you, sir?”

“The butter chicken and pilau rice. Also, can I get two glasses of Moselle?” Another thing I wouldn’t mind Riley’s father seeing. I know what kind of wine to order with fish and chicken. Not exactly something he’d expect from a kid who’d grown up poor, like me.

Riley holds up her hand. “Just one glass. I’m going to stick with water.”

Damn it. I probably should have asked her what kind of wine she wanted instead of deciding for her. The Moselle is pretty midrange for Russo’s wine list. After the waiter leaves, I lean closer to Riley. “Don’t worry about the cost. Please, if you want a different wine, we can order it.”

“Lucas, I’m okay. I’d just prefer water.” She smiles and reaches out to put her hand over mine.

I hold still, relishing her touch even if it’s only this small gesture. She looks like she’s lost some weight. I know she’s been under the weather, but don’t really know what’s been wrong. Maybe it has something to do with those scars, the ones she showed me, but hasn’t been willing to talk about yet. Not that there’s been an opportunity really. Work has had me so busy. I hope that’s not what’s making her feel ill, that it’s not causing her too much stress. Some people aren’t cut out for dealing with the crazy and inconsistent schedules Special Forces members have. Hell, most people aren’t. There’s a reason the divorce rate is so high. That’s part of the reason the program exists in the first place.

I rub my thumb gently over the back of her hand, my eyes locking with Riley’s, and I get lost for a second in their endless blue. She is beautiful, but there’s a sadness there. A smile that never reaches those amazing eyes. I’ve noticed it before. Whatever happened in the years we were apart, whatever made those scars, it’s past time to see what needs to be done to fix it. “I know the whole program can be daunting. Is there anything you need? I probably should’ve asked a while ago and I’m sorry.”

“No, no. I’m good.” She takes her hand away from mine and takes a sip of her water. “Actually, I started volunteering down at Sandbridge. They have a surfing program for Gold Star families.”

I chuckle. That’s right. Riley used to move heaven and hell to have some time on the waves. Anytime she could get to Padre Island, she raced there. Even cutting class on occasion. “Sometimes I forget your love of surfing. Some of the guys surf. Taya’s husband, in fact.”

“You still haven’t gotten into it, huh?”

I shrug. “Done it a couple of times, but not really my thing.” I’m not entirely sure why. I love the water. Surfing is a little too out of my control for me to really enjoy it. Give me a hard run or a ropes course any day. Getting whipped up by a wave just to tame it? There are other things I like better.

Our food arrives and we both eat in a comfortable silence. For the first time in a while, I feel at ease with a woman. Most of my dates have had an uncomfortableness, a stiffness. Forced conversation and awkward pauses. But with Riley, it’s easy to just sit and take in the atmosphere.

She seems comfortable as well. It’s the first time we’ve eaten together that she hasn’t picked at her food as if she was trying to decide whether or not to eat it. Guess the restaurant was a great choice since she seems to be eating without hesitation. She never used to be a picky eater. Maybe she developed some kind of food intolerance that she’s not comfortable sharing. Riley was definitely the girl who never farted in front another person. I suppose it might have something to do with those scars. I’ll ask, but not now. Now I just want to enjoy looking at my beautiful wife over plates of amazing food.

With my plate nearly empty, I sit back in my chair. “How often do you volunteer?”

She finishes chewing, then swallows before answering. “Two days a week. But it’s also weather dependent. Plus, I got a call back for some work-at-home opportunities. That will probably impact my availability.”

That’s news to me. “Didn’t know you applied for a job.” I keep my voice even, pleased that she’s letting me in a bit more.

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