Page 56 of When Morning Comes Around

“I didn’t think you were. I just… Can I do it?”

She nodded, and a little thrill rushed through her veins when he held a chair out for her. As she stepped closer to sit, he ducked his head and pressed a quick peck to her lips.

Her fingers came up to touch her lips as he stepped back, and she sat there smiling at him.

His eyes seemed to twinkle as he said, “I’ll be right with you.”

He took a dish down from the cabinet and turned his back to her. She wanted to ask if he needed anything, if she could help, but she managed to stay quiet and let him do his thing.

When he turned back to face her, he kept the bowl behind his back.

She had to laugh. “What are you up to? What is it?”

He grinned and set the bowl on the table before her with a flourish. “It’s something that I figured you would like.” His smile dimmed a little as he added, “But it’s not a problem if you don’t.”

She looked down at the bowl. “Tiramisu? That’s one of my favorites, how did you know?”

“It is? That’s even better. I had no idea that it was your favorite, but when you take a taste, I think you’ll know why I chose it.”

She gave him a puzzled smile as she picked up her fork. He nodded encouragingly. “Go on, take a bite.”

Even before she tasted it, she knew why he’d chosen it. Just the smell gave it away. “Bailey’stiramisu? Wow! I didn’t even know that was a thing.”

“I didn’t until I started working at the restaurant. Julio, the chef, likes to put a boozy twist on some of the desserts. When you mentioned the other day that you love Bailey’s, I knew I had to get you to try this.”

She closed her eyes and had to swallow around the lump that had formed in her throat.

“Go on, taste it,” he encouraged.

She nodded, hoping that she’d be able to hide the rush of emotion that had hit her.

Apparently not. His eyes filled with concern, and he squatted down beside her chair. “Hey, what’s wrong? Shit! I’m sorry. I thought…”

She rested her hand on his shoulder. “Please don’t say you’re sorry. It’s wonderful. This is such a lovely thing to do.”

He gave her a puzzled smile. “That was what I hoped, but going by your reaction, I feel like I screwed up.”

“Oh, Dominic, no. You didn’t screw up. Far from it. I… You just have to forgive me, I’m being silly. It’s just so thoughtful of you. Thank you.”

He leaned in closer until their noses were almost touching. “Shit, Sadie. I already suspected that your ex was an asshole. But if a little thing like bringing you dessert is enough to make you cry, he must be a major dick.”

His words were so unexpected that she choked out a laugh. “Oh my God, you’re totally right. He really is.” She looked down at the bowl in front of her. “But I wouldn’t call this a little thing, Dominic. This is huge! You listened to what I said – about likingBailey’s – and not only that, you also remembered it, and you did something about it.”

His eyebrows drew together. “That’s not huge. It’s not a big deal. It’s normal.”

“Not in my world, it isn’t.”

He frowned. “Maybe not in your old world, but in your new world – in this world, in the one that I’m in. This kind of thing is normal.”

A shiver ran down her spine as she looked into his big, brown eyes. “I don’t know what it’s like to live in a world like that.”

His full lips turned up in a small smile. “Then it’s time you found out.”

She nodded; she’d like to, but she didn’t know if he meant that he wanted to be part of it.

He leaned in and brushed his lips over hers. “In case I didn’t make myself clear, I’m saying that I’d like to be the one who gets to show you how you should be treated.”

Her hand came up to touch his cheek of its own accord. “I’d like that. And… You haven’t told me much about Polly, but I know that you loved her – that you still love her – very much. I know I won’t be able to compare to her…” Her words trailed off when he squeezed his eyes shut. Damn, she hadn’t meant to say the wrong thing.

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