Page 78 of Diverge

“Yes, I am sure. I haven’t been back since we went there together, and I am craving their burgers,” I admit.

“I’m just saying, this is our first date, and I don’t want you to think I won’t take you somewhere fancy... ’cause, baby, I would knock you off your feet with the amount of fancy shit I would do for you.” He smiles, proud of himself.

I let out a small laugh. “Wow, is this the new romantic, fancy Nate?”

“Whatever it takes to hear you laugh again, B.” He grabs my hand and places it on his chest. “You feel this?” I look at him as he drives, one hand on mine and the other on the wheel. “This is yours, and it would do anything for you.” I don’t know what to say to that, so I just smile.

I wonder about his past, and I can’t help myself. “How did you get involved with the underworld back in Melbourne?” I ask.

His lips purse as he brings my hand down and intertwines his fingers with mine. “I fell in with the wrong people at a young age. My parents were addicts and abusers, so I had to make a lot of money and quickly, so... I started selling.” He sighs, clearly uncomfortable talking about his past. “Then I got in deep when I met Joe, the big bad wolf as they call him. He saw me fight a few guys off, and the rest was basically history. He asked me to work for him as an enforcer, and... well... the money was too good to pass up. I had Noah to look after and put through school, so I took the easy way out.”

“That must have been hard for you.” I think of a young Nate, trying to make ends meet all while trying to raise his younger brother.

He shrugs. “It’s done now, baby, we all have better things to look forward to in life.” He brings my hand up to his mouth and plants a gentle kiss on the back of my hand. “Tell me about you.”

“Well, it was hard after losing Finn, but I have him to thank for my success,” I admit.

“Partly,” he interjects.

“Partly?” I question.

“He didn’t do all the workforyou. He supported you and gave you the push you needed... but you did all the work and look at you now... self-employed... travelling the world.” He smiles. I guess he is right. I do owe a lot to Finn. Without his push, I wouldn’t have pursued the self-employed life, but I did it all. I worked hard at getting my own clients, setting up the back ends... everything.

“You’re right.” I smile. “I’ve been travelling, been to most parts of Europe following my favourite bands on tour.” I reach over and place my hand on the nape of his neck, my fingers folding between the strands of his dark hair. “You know, I had imagined you with someone else since it had been so long. I for sure thought you would have found someone else.”

He sighs. “I did try, but I couldn’t. Every time I got close with someone or tried to get close to them, I would imagine them as you. It happened almost every time, and I just had to end it.”

His confession saddens me, knowing that he wasn’t able to find someone, because of me.

“How’s Riley doing? Two kids now, huh?” he asks with happiness in his tone.

I smile, thinking about my niece and nephew back in Australia.

“Yeah, Harriet is so cute, you can absolutely tell that she will grow up to be headstrong. She already is.”

“Just like her aunty.” He chuckles.

“Do you want kids?” I ask, holding my breath.

“Absolutely,” he says without hesitation. I smile as I imagine a mini-Nate with his eyes, his dark curly hair, and strong jaw. “Do you?”

“I fear it may be getting a bit too late for me.” I sigh. “But yes, I do want children.”

“It’s never too late for anything.” He pulls the car into the parking lot. Exiting the car, we begin walking towards the Five Guys building, our hands locked together. “Do you know what you want?”

“Oh yeah, I knew what I wanted since last night.” I chuckle as he laughs. Once we order, we take a seat and wait for our number to be called. “So how long are you in San Fran?” I ask.

“I have a week off work. I wanted to make sure Noah had all the support he needed for the wedding.” I nod. “But he’s leaving for New York tomorrow to get ready for the upcoming game, I was going to leave with him, but... I’d much rather be where you are.”

I smile. “Where are you staying?”

“Some hotel near the city.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. “Do you want to stay with me?”

He hesitates for a moment before speaking. “Are you sure?”

I nod.

---