Page 40 of One Last Wish

“I think we’ve earned a drink, don’t you?” Darce asked while we were locking up later that evening.

“Are we talking about coffee or a proper drink?”

“Definitely a proper drink. It’s been quite a week already.” I was glad Darce felt that way, too.

“Oh, in that case, I’m in. Clover bar is only a few blocks away.”

“Lead the way,” Darce gestured, letting me go first. “If Theo saw you agreeing to go for a drink with me, it would break the last piece of his heart that’s intact.”

“It’s a shame he was off today. I wouldloveto see that.”

“You really are a wicked thing.” Something was playing in his eyes, but I wasn’t sure what. I wanted to say desire, but he was difficult to read.

Clover bar wasn’t overly busy, so we managed to get a small table in the corner once Darce got the drinks. He’d gone for a whiskey, but I was more in the mood for a cocktail.

“If you could do anything with your life, what would you do?” Darce asked, sipping his drink.

“Wow! You really do enjoy dropping random questions on me, don’t you?”

“I’m curious.”

“If I answer, will you answer the same question?”

“A question for a question. You’re learning.” That smile. How was I not meant to fall into a dark abyss with this man?

“Mmm... maybe see the world. I’d love to have enough life experience to write a book one day.”

“Oh, the reader wants to become an author one day. That isinteresting.”

“Maybe. I don’t know. How many authors do you know that can’tfeel? I have a feeling you need emotions to be an author.”

“Depends on what you write. If you did non-fiction books, for instance, those wouldn’t need an emotion.”

“You mean go around the world writing about all the wars and natural disasters?” Darce shrugged. “That would be a little depressing.”

“You have no emotion. You won't get depressed.” I snorted into my drink. “It was just a thought.”

“What about you, then? What would you do with your life?”

“If I could doanything?” I nodded, sipping my cocktail while hanging on his every word. “Oh, I don’t know. I’ve craved a simple life for so long that it will probably sound pathetic.”

“I don’t care. Tell me, I want to know.”

“To love without restriction.” That madenosense.

“You have to explain more thanthat. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Have you ever loved something you weren’t allowed?”

“Um...hello, no connection. I’ve never loved anyone,” I pointed out, huffing a laugh into my cocktail glass.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot.” He was pensive for a few moments, watching me before carrying on. “I’ve only ever wanted one female for most of my life. The two of us...well, we’re not really compatible. If I could do anything with my life, it would be to find a way for us to be together.” My heart sank. I didn’t even know this woman, but I hated her. Okay, I wasn’t capable of love, but knowingshewas probably the reason Darce wasn’t acting on his impulses left me feeling pretty deflated.

“She must be quite a woman,” I sighed, looking around the bar in an attempt to hide my disappointment.

“Oh, she’s incredible.” Downing my drink, I looked at the pride on his face as he spoke about her. I’d had enough of this conversation. I wanted to go home.

“Thanks for the drink. I’m going to head back home now.”

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