Page 50 of The Soul Never Forgets

“I want to help you navigate through your relationship with your mother eventually, after we navigate our own path.”

I’m not worried about healing my relationship with my mother. “You and I are all that matters to me right now.”

He looks at the clock and sighs. “I need to get up. I have an eight o’clock appointment this morning. It throws my whole day off if I don’t see my first patient of the day on time.” He leans over and kisses my forehead. “Stay here as long as you like.”

As much as I love his forehead kisses, I’ll be glad when I can have the real thing from him.

“I need to get going too. I have a lot of work to do on my new project so I don’t throw off the schedule.”

“Can I see you tonight?”

I can’t imagine not seeing him. “Of course. Do you want to come over for dinner?”

“You’re a great cook but let me take you out. We’re soul mates, and we’ve never even had a first date.”

“You aren’t afraid of running into someone who would question why you’re with a woman who isn’t your fiancée?”

“We’ll go somewhere low-key.”

And then it won’t matter after this weekend. We can go anywhere we like together.

“Low-key is a good idea.” I wouldn’t want anyone who knows him to think poorly of him because he’s with another woman before he breaks his engagement.

“Do you need to use the bathroom before I jump in the shower?”

“No, I’m fine. Go ahead.”

“All right, my love. I’ll see you tonight.”

* * *

A little hole-in-the-wall restaurant.They’re often underrated gems. My favorite places to eat. And Dawsey has introduced me to a new one tonight.

“Why is this so good?” I say, covering my mouth as I chew my lasagna.

“It’s a family-owned restaurant. The kids run it now, but before them their parents ran it. The recipes were passed down from generation to generation.”

“Things that get passed down from generation to generation are typically pretty good I’d say. Like us.”

“Yes, like us.”

"Have you ever ordered the lasagna?”

“I haven’t.” Dawsey reaches across the table with his fork and steals a sample from my plate. “Damn, that is good.”

“How’s the risotto?”

“Excellent.” He pushes his plate toward me. “Try it.”

I do the same to him, reaching across the table and swiping a forkful. “That’s delicious. I think I may have found my new favorite restaurant.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

Dawsey steals another bite from my plate. “I texted Devin today and asked her to call me. She said she would when she gets time.”

“How have your conversations been this week?” Those must be some awkward exchanges for him.

“We haven’t spoken this week, but that’s not unusual. We don’t talk much when she works long hours on these travel assignments. The shifts are demanding, and she’s tired when she gets back to the room.”

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