Page 53 of When Morning Comes Around

“She did put a condition on it, though.”

“A condition? What kind of condition?”

He stepped toward her but then stopped. He wanted to rest his hands on her shoulders and look down into her eyes when he told her. But he wasn’t sure that he should.

“She said that she was happy to send takeout for our date tonight but that when I take you out on a proper date – for dinner – I need to take you into the restaurant.”

Her eyes widened.

He had a moment of panic, but it was only a moment. He smiled as he closed the distance between them and put his hands on her shoulders like he wanted to.

“This is a date, right?”

He relaxed when she smiled and said, “I was hoping so.”

“Me too. And I’m hoping that we’ll both want another one – and when we do, I’d like to take you to the restaurant.” He chuckled. “And not just because Taryn will give me hell if I take you anywhere else first.”

“I’d like that.” She glanced toward the living room door. “Do you want to come and say hi?”

“I do.” He winked. “I have a surprise for him.”

“What’s that?”

“I told Taryn that he likes all things toffee, so she sent a toffee dessert for him.”

She laughed. “I’d say that you’ll win him over with that, but you don’t need to. He already thinks the world of you. I keep meaning to ask how well you guys know each other.”

“It’s only from me coming to the garden center. We just clicked the first time we talked. After that, I kept coming back. He’s a great guy.”

“He is. Come on.”

In the living room, Harvey muted the TV and greeted him with a smile. “Good to see you, Dom.”

“It’s good to see you as well. Taryn sends her regards; she hopes you’ll enjoy your dinner.”

“Give her my thanks, will you? From what I hear about that one, I’d like to meet her – I think she’s been here to buy plants, but I haven’t had a real conversation with her.”

“I think the two of you would get along.”

Harvey chuckled. “Are you saying that we’re the same kind of ornery?”

“I’d never say that.”

“Not out loud, right?”

He laughed. “Exactly.”

“You’re a wise man. Anyway, are we going to plate up this dinner?” he asked Sadie.

“I am. Are you ready?”

“I’m ready for you to bring it in here for me.” Harvey met Dominic’s gaze. “You don’t mind if I don’t join you, do you?”

“I…”

Harvey laughed. “I’m more comfortable here in my chair, and I reckon the two of you will be more comfortable without me.”

The older man held his gaze, and it felt important to Dominic to acknowledge the truth of what he was saying, rather than make polite noises.

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