Page 28 of Kiss Away Your Pain (Wounded Hearts 2)

An ache sits at the apex of my heart. “There was a time I thought I’d have kids,” I say, running my finger across the base of my glass. “God seemed to have other plans though.” After Dom died and I gave up on the idea of falling in love again or getting married, the idea of having kids got swept away with it all. I can’t look up at him. I’ll lose my shit.Change the subject, fast.“How’re things going in there? Ready for help?”

“I think I’ve got things pretty well under control. I could use a little more wine.”

I get up from my stool and pour more wine into both our glasses. “It smells delicious. I’m definitely hungry now.”

“Good, it won’t be much longer.” He opens the glass-front cabinets and takes out plates, then grabs silverware from a drawer. “Here, you can put the silverware on the table.” He hands me the silverware and a fresh bottle of wine and nods toward the small table nestled into the corner of the room, where light streams in from two large windows. While I was wandering around his living room, he’d separated out the flowers into drinking glasses — such a bachelor — and put one on the island, one on the small dining table, and one on the coffee table in the living room. So cute.

Walking over to the table with me, he slides out my chair. “Here. I’ll bring your plate over.” Going back to the kitchen, he opens a door in the island and takes out napkins and a jar candle then grabs a long candle lighter and brings them over. Removing the lid from the candle, he lights the fresh wick.

“Smells nice,” I say, taking a whiff of the vanilla aroma drifting into the air.

“I confess, I didn’t pick it out.” Embarrassment tints his chuckle. “When I told Anastasia I was making you dinner, she insisted I get a candle and told me that vanilla was a pretty safe scent.” He pauses, glancing at me. “It’s been a while since I’ve made dinner for anyone.”

“Well, she gave you good guidance.”

He comes back with our plated meals and sets mine in front of me then sits down with his. “Let’s eat. I hope you like it.”

I cut a piece of fish, hoping I like it because I don’t want him to feel bad. “Mmm, it’s good. Did you cook it in butter?”

“Nope, it’s a naturally buttery-tasting fish. I used a very small spray of avocado oil in the pan just to help it not stick, but that’s it. Mild, right? And kind of sweet?”

“Yes, it’s really good.”

“I’m glad you like it. This is a pretty simple meal. I think you could even make it.” He delivers his words with encouragement and not judgement.

“I could probably give this one a try some time when I’m not traveling.”

“You said earlier that your mom was an amazing cook. Did she pass?”

Instinctively, my hand goes to Dom’s ring around my neck. I know this is typical get-to-know-you conversation that most people have on a date. It’s been years since the accident. Sometimes it’s still hard for me to talk about. I’m enjoying getting to know him and Destiny’s right, it’s probably time I let myself be open to at least the possibility of…something.He let you in. Let him in.

I take a breath. “She did.” I push a weak smile onto my lips. “It was a car accident. About four years ago. She was the best.” I take a sip of wine, hoping it will loosen the small lump in my throat. “I still miss her a lot. My dad’s pretty overbearing and doused her dreams. He worked a lot and my mom and I kind of became friends as I grew up. She was always encouraging me to live life on my terms and never settle, never let anyone hold me back, and never take a handout. Earn my success.” I breathe. “She was such a positive force in my life. I try to live by her words.”

“It sounds like she had a great influence on you. I’m sorry you lost her.” His words wrap around me in a comforting hug.

“I’m grateful for the time I had with her.” Melancholy wrenches me as the truth of his mother leaving him and his family jumps to the forefront of my mind. “I’m sorry you didn’t get that kind of chance with your mom.”

Maybe he doesn’t want to share more than he already has. This feels deep for a first official date. It also feels safe. Outside of Destiny, I don’t talk about this stuff. He seems genuinely interested. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like for him being so young and having his mom up and leave. Will he share more with me?

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