“Why? I mean, I know that we had our differences, but—”
“I can’t explain it,” I say. “I really just wanted to treat you to something nice tonight.”
She nods, smiling.
“Well, I like that. Thank you again, Robert.”
We don’t say much. The server gives me the check and I fill it out, slipping my card back into my wallet.
“Anyway, ready to go?”
“Sure.”
We walk out, not saying much until we’re outside. We head to the fountain, and Sara gazes up. Her green eyes sparkle as the reflections from the lights dance against her pupils.
“Say Sara?”
She turns, looking at me.
“Yes?”
I pause, wondering if I should do this. I don’t know what the future will hold. In a sense, I don’t want to pull away. Sara’s managed to sneak into my heart and push through barriers I thought were impregnable.
“I wanted to ask you if . . . ”
“If what?”
I purse my lips, trying to find the correct words.
“If me being wealthy is a bad thing? If you look at me any differently because of it.”
I’m used to the looks and the regards, but I want to know the truth right now before I get in too deep. She shakes her head and smiles.
“Of course not. In fact, I think it makes you more interesting.”
Sara’s words throw me for a loop. I’ve gotten lots of comments before, but interesting is definitely not the word I expected.
“I see. Interesting. I like that.” I can’t help but smile a little.
“Anyway, I told Katie that I’d be back soon.”
“Oh, right. Do you want me to drive you back to your place?”
“No, it’s fine. Besides, you told me that you don’t go to people’s houses on first dates, right?”
“True.”
We get in the car, and I drive back to the café parking lot. A few moments later, that silver Jetta sputters down the road. Sara looks at me, grinning. “Well, I had a good time.”
“I did, too.”
“And you have more than apologized. So, thank you.”
She opens the door and heads to the other car. They drive off immediately, but I sit there in the parking lot, taking in what transpired. I don’t want to feel this way. I don’t want to get hung up on someone, and then get disappointed. After Maria, I pushed away any aspects of dating. However, for the first time in who knows how long, I feel something. A long-forgotten feeling that I can’t help but enjoy.
The spark of desire.
Chapter seven