Page 56 of To Have and To Hold

“Fucking feels real to me.”

Antonio appeared in front of us. “Good evening. May I get the two of you something from the bar. A bottle of wine perhaps?”

Isabella stiffened at my side.

“I believe we will begin with water.”

“Very well. I’ll be back with your water.”

Once he was gone, Isabella leaned closer. “You don’t have to not drink alcohol just because I can’t.”

I lifted my brow. “You can’t? Do you have a physical reaction to alcohol, an allergy?”

She grinned. “I’m not old enough.”

My smile grew. “But say in the privacy of your home…”

“My family serves wine with dinner.” She scrunched her nose. “I’m not a big fan.”

“Then you’ve had the wrong wine. My father owns a winery here in Southern California. If you’re interested, we can find you the right wine. I’m not much of a drinker, but I know my mother and sisters have their favorites. When you could be called on at any hour of the day or night, alcohol consumption is at a minimum.”

Isabella’s pink lips curled. “Good. I’m glad you’re not abstaining because of me.”

“Oh, it is because of you. If anyone thought they could steal my girl, I plan to be sober so as to not miss my mark.”

She laughed as if it were a joke.

It wasn’t.

Antonio arrived with our water in a tall glass bottle. He proceeded to pour it into our goblets as he explained the specials of the day. We ordered our meals. After the waiter walked away, I said, “Some say it’s bad luck to toast to water.” I winked. “I can’t associate you with bad. So here goes.” I lifted my glass of water and Isabella did the same. “To us.”

Our glasses clinked and we both took a sip.

“I mean it, Isabella. It might seem fast, but I want to marry you. I’ve asked Jano to talk to Dario.”

She pressed her lips together and blinked her eyes. “You asked?”

“I did.”

“My father will never approve.”

“I won’t give up.”

From soup to salads to entrees, the food kept coming. When Antonio questioned us about dessert, Isabella placed a hand over her stomach. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”

Nodding to Antonio, I said, “Our check please.”

I sent a text message.

With my hand in the small of Isabella’s back, we walked back out onto the sidewalk. The number of people had doubled as the dinner hour attracted more customers. I led us south, the way that we’d come. “We can continue to walk around this neighborhood, or we have enough time to make it to Imperial Beach for the sunset.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of that place. Isn’t there a long pier?”

“Almost 1500 feet.”

She reached for my arm. “My tour continues.” Lifting her face to the sky, she closed her eyes and hummed. “I love being outside.”

She was so fucking vibrant and beautiful. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and repeat our kiss from earlier. No, I wanted more than a kiss. The thought of holding her soft curves against my hard body had my circulation rerouting as we walked.

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