Page 74 of Take a Moment

Unable to put off the inevitable any longer, I return to our table and sit myself back down.

‘Are you all right, kitten?’ Dom reaches across the table and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. ‘We can go back to your apartment now if you’re tired.’

‘No, no. I’m fine. Think I’m just a bit full.’

‘If you’re sure?’

‘I’m sure.’

‘OK, then.’ He signals something to one of the waiting staff, then focuses his attention on me. ‘You still eating that?’

‘I am. But I’m not sure I can finish it. Want a taste?’

‘Thought you’d never ask.’ He leans over and takes a forkful of my dessert. ‘Wow, that’s chocolatey. The chestnut complements it really well. Ah, here we are…’

He acknowledges the arrival of two waiting staff at our table: one who places a flute of champagne in front of each of us; the other, a plate of home-made confectionery with the words ‘Will you marry me? (2.0)’ piped onto it with chocolate. Before I can even register what’s going on, the waiting staff have disappeared, and Dom’s out of his seat and on one knee on the floor.

‘Kitten, I’m so happy you’re still in love with me, because I can’t imagine how crushed I would have been if you’d said you weren’t. We were set the ultimate test this year. It did break us temporarily, but now I feel we’ll wind up stronger together. All I want in my future is you: in sickness and health, til death do us part. Will you marry me?’

It’s my turn to respond and I’m so dumbstruck by what’s just happened, I have no idea how to reply. Dom’s beaming up at me lovingly, arms extended, holding an open ring box, which I note with interest doesn’t contain the same ring I returned to him earlier this year – the diamond is about twice the size.

‘So, Lex, what do you say?’ Dom prompts me. ‘Can we resume our future together?’

I take a deep shaky breath and glance around me anxiously. Thankfully, as our table is situated in a narrow alcove of the conservatory-style dining room, and the table along from us has been vacated, there’s no one within hearing distance.

‘I… err… gosh, Dom, this is a bit out of nowhere.’

His smile wavers slightly. ‘I know it’s a surprise, and I wondered myself whether I should do this so soon. But I figured as we were engaged before, we should pick up where we left off. I so badly want to marry you, kitten.’

I bite my bottom lip nervously, my eyes starting to sting from the horribly conflicting mix of emotions at play. ‘I get it, Dom. I really do. This is all so lovely, and that ring is incredible. It’s just that… we haven’t actually discussed any of the issues that broke us up. Sure, we’ve both had time to take in my diagnosis and settle our emotions over it, but does that mean we’ll be able to pick up where we left off before all that?’

‘Why would we not be able to?’

Dom’s starting to look hurt and I can’t really blame him. He gets up from the floor, closes the ring box and sits back in his seat. I think carefully about my next words.

‘One of the things I realised after we broke up was that we always avoided the hard stuff, and that was without my diagnosis in the mix. I honestly don’t think it’s as simple as picking up where we left off. Plus…’ I shift uncomfortably in my seat and Dom spots this straight away.

‘You want to keep dating this other guy. Shit, I don’t believe this. I’m too late, aren’t I? Two months ago and it would have been a totally different situation.’

‘Perhaps.’ I reach across and put a reassuring hand on his arm. ‘I’m not saying never, Dom. It’s just that my life has been a blinking rollercoaster these last months. When we broke up, you just had to deal with our break-up. I had to deal with that and losing my sense of identity. That’s something you can never fully understand until it happens to you.’

Dom takes a deep breath and exhales loudly. ‘I never thought about it like that. Sorry, kitten, I thought I was doing the right thing. I really meant every word.’

‘I know you did. And I particularly appreciated the “in sickness and health” part. Though perhaps the wedding vows were a little premature.’ I let out an awkward chuckle. ‘I just need some time to wrap my head around all of this—’

‘And to figure out whether it’s me or this other guy.’

I grimace. ‘Don’t. Please. You make it sound so grubby. Just give me some time, yeah?’

Dom shrugs defeatedly. ‘I don’t like it, but it’s only fair. All I can do is hope this bloke is someone you need to get out your system, like I did with the women I dated.’

‘Thank you. I realise that’s a difficult request to agree to.’ I smile appreciatively, then raise a suspicious eyebrow. ‘Just how many women were there?’

‘Three. But not one of them a patch on you. Don’t keep me waiting too long, yeah?’

I take his hand and squeeze it. ‘I won’t. I promise. I have far too much respect for you.’

Chapter 25

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