Page 212 of Branded
(Never mind that I’d ordered the same, even not pregnant).
“Do you want?—”
Our server appeared, carrying two glasses, which she plunked down on the table, and before I could ask for those menus, she was gone again.
“I—”
A warm hand on my nape. “Relax, sugarpie. Food is coming—unless you want to step out of your usual?” He paused, and I shook my head, causing his expression to soften. “Then just breathe and enjoy being here.”
“You arranged it all.” Not a question, or not really phrased as one. But still one anyway.
“It’s our first date,” he said. Not an answer. But still one anyway.
My heart squeezed. “Raph,” I whispered.
He didn’t let us get drawn back into the past or my fears or what we’d both missed out on. Instead, he just lifted a glass, placed it in my hand, and then he lifted his, clinking it to mine. “To a beautiful woman, and a future that will be happy and whole.”
I sipped—and no surprise—it was my favorite iced tea, perfectly sweetened.
Another crack in the cement.
But instead of demons escaping, there was just happiness…and hope.
Hope that blossomed when all my favorites were delivered to the table in turn. Hope that grew even bigger when instead of dessert from Lokanta—which was delicious like all their food but wasn’t my favorite—Achara delivered a box of passionfruit and whipped cream-filled cream puffs from her bakery just a couple of blocks over. Those were my favorites.
Those had me turning to Raph and sliding my arms around his shoulders, hugging him tight and whispering into his ear, “I really like you.”
His husky reply, “I more than really like you, sugarpie.”
Then he kissed me.
And if I hadn’t already been in love with Raph, that kiss, the hope that filled me from toes to top, would have.
Or maybe the way he promptly opened the box and served me up a cream puff would have.
Or maybe the way he held my hand as we exited the restaurant, blocking anyone coming close to bumping into me in the crowded space, tucking me close as we walked back down the sidewalk and to the car would have.
But I was already in deep, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to let him go, not after this.
I was in for the long haul, in for the man, even if it meant that business card and Marin and facing those demons.
Because I had Raph and his gentle eyes, his soft smiles, that laughter, and the kisses, and his body protecting mine.
Because I had love and hope in my heart.
If only…
If only that hope had lasted.
Twenty-Seven
Raph
Her hand hadn’t left mine since she’d finished with her cream puffs.
They were delicious—the two that I’d allowed myself to eat, considering it was the middle of the season and I’d already eaten my body weight, it seemed, in delicious Thai food. Plus, they were hers. I’d arranged for her to have them, so they were for her.
But next time I was in the city for a game, I was picking some up for myself and the guys.
