Page 46 of Beautifully Complicated

“I broughtusdinner. Just because we can’t be together yet doesn’t mean we have to be alone.”

Swoon! Who knew Kier Caldwell could be so romantic?

Well, he did follow me across the country in a manner of speaking, but I suspect that was an easier feat than cooking given the takeout menus I know he keeps in his desk drawer.

“Did you make all this?” I ask.

“Sort of. It’s one of those meal kits so I only had to mix together what was provided in the box.” He blushes, showing me a side of himself I’d yet to see. Average.

It’s pretty adorable.

And also, pretty impressive. “How much food did you make?”

“Enough to have some leftovers. And I wasn’t sure what you liked so I ordered some of everything. Ham and turkey, sweet and mashed potatoes, stuffing. And pie of course. Pumpkin and pecan, but those I got at the bakery. I know my limits.”

The ham and turkey are already sliced, so I assume they came that way and he only had to heat them up. The potatoes look homemade, as does the stuffing, so it’s clear a fair amount of effort went into preparing this, and that makes me smile like a giddy schoolgirl.

When all the food has been unpacked Kier uncorks the wine and pours us each a glass, holding his up as he speaks.

“I always thought it was silly when my parents made us say what we’re thankful for since they’re Irish, but I get it now. You don’t have to be American to reflect on the things you’re thankful for, but you do sometimes need a reminder like Thanksgiving since life can get so busy. And for us, having all these restrictions can make it hard to be thankful at all. But I am, because we found each other again, and even though the wait is maddening, in the end it will be worth it.”

I have never been a crier, but this man makes me feelso much, it’s hard not to tear up.

“We’re here now becauseyoulistened to your gut.Youtook the risk on a new job, a new state, and me, even after you learned I left some things out the first time we met. So, I’m thankful that you’re decisive, persistent, and above all, forgiving. And—” my gaze catches on his soft lips “—so help me if you don’t put that glass to your mouth right this instant, I’m going to cover it with mine, so…drink.”

Kier chuckles as the two of us hastily sip our wine, then dishes us each a plate, which we eat shoulder-to-shoulder sitting on the tile floor.

“Did your parents celebrate Thanksgiving because you were born here or because it’s a national holiday?” I take a bite of mashed potatoes.

“Both, I think. They made it a point to teach me about their history, so I’d have that knowledge, but they also tried to make sure I knew my own.

“You never mentioned why you decided to stay here. Why aren’t you spending the holiday with them?” I try the stuffing next.

He washes down a bite with his wine. “They’re actually visiting family back in Ireland.”

“Is it hard for your dad to travel without his leg?”

Kier gets a wistful look on his face as he traps his lips between his teeth. “Yes and no. He can walk just fine using the prosthetic but going long distances or moving quickly are hard. Airports usually have scooters and things to help with that, so it’s manageable. The plane is another story. He has to have an aisle because the prosthetic doesn’t fit well in tight spaces, and getting up and down is hard because he has limited leverage, so it’s like doing a one-legged squat. Fortunately, he’s in decent shape, so he can maneuver better than most, but it’s still not easy.”

“Do you think you’d have gone into this field if he hadn’t lost his leg.” I chew thoughtfully as he once again takes his time answering.

“Remember how I told you once that the Matrix was life-changing.”

The memory brings a genuine smile to my lips. “I do.”

“Well, that movie is why I decided I wanted to work with computers. Some type of coding or something. I might have gone in a more artistic direction like virtual reality.”

“How very shallow of you, using your gifts to make entertainment.” I nudge his shoulder to assure him I’m teasing.

“I’ll have you know they’re using virtual reality to mimic surgery as a way to train surgeons.” He smiles around a sip of wine.

“Touche.” I smirk right back.

“You really had altruistic intentions from the start?” Kier arches a suspicious brow.

“Luke Skywalker’s bionic arm may or may not have played a role in my decision. And if you ever tell Bennet I said that I’ll… well I’m already withholding sex, so I’ll have to come up with another consequence, but it’ll be terrifying.”

“Why can’t Bennet know the truth?”

---