“My what?” We walked side by side, our gazes unable to meet, making the following remark easier to handle.
“Your love language?”
I felt the breath whoosh from me and a panic crept up my chest. All of a sudden I was embarrassed of myself, trekking across the country for a man I held nothing more than a glorified crush on.
“Don’t do that.” His words came out soft and he gave a small squeeze to my shoulder. “Don’t clam up. I know it’s awkward. Us, a long time ago, now…and you were my doctor.” He stopped in his tracks and winked, and I wanted to die on the spot.
“Now you made it awkward! You know the doctor thing drove me crazy.”
“Come on,” he said, leading me toward a midnight blue Range Rover.
“Makes sense. These are pretty much standard out here?” I raised an eyebrow, deciding taunting and teasing was the best way to go. Seriousness made me too nervous.
“They give them out as housewarming gifts…” He couldn’t even help laughing as he said it, grabbing my suitcase andtossing it in the back before rounding the side and opening the door for me.
“How do you feel?” I felt compelled to ask as we made our way onto the road. “Your knee? Therapy? Everything coming along?”
“Sure is. I’m good as new. Ready to start playing golf, but I don’t think I’ll be skiing next year. Maybe snowboarding…”
I couldn’t help but turn and look at him wide-mouthed. “Snowboarding? That’s even more dangerous for your knee. And all your other aging body parts.”
He merged onto a highway among a cacophony of horns, muted electric cars, and mammoth gas guzzlers steamrolling their way around. “I’m going to report you to the Ski Association, maybe the Winter Sports Bureau, for slander. By the way, you make a living off people’s aging body parts, dare I say?”
“Those are not even real associations,” I couldn’t help but say through a laugh. “And I love the winter sports just fine. All the sports. You know? Someone needs to care for all you reckless men…and the women.” I looked out the window, allowing the sun to warm my face through the glass.
“No more skiing if you promise not to steal away into the night again. Deal?” Daniel flashed me a quick smile.
“First, it was barely night. We’d only just got back from dinner a bit before. Second, your dad didn’t really give me a choice. And third, no way you’re giving up skiing.”
“One, you’re right, it wasn’t morning, but I wasn’t finished with you in my bed. Two, my dad isn’t an issue anymore. I’m my own man and he doesn’t make the rules. And three, you’re probably right again.”
Swallowing, I nodded. Here we were, partly joking or maybe half serious, but we’d gone and mentioned college. “We dove right into the past… And now what?” I couldn’t help myself from asking.
“My dad is old, and I don’t need his involvement anymore. I never did. My eyes were on the prize, and I got that and more. I wouldn’t have listened to him back then.” Daniel stayed with exploring back then.
We exited off the highway and headed up small tree-lined streets with restaurants and cafés.
I still hadn’t said a word in response to his familial declaration when he asked, “Hungry? Feel like getting something to eat?”
“Actually, I am. But is this okay?” I flared my hand in front of the flowy travel pants and purple blouse I wore.
“Of course.” He pulled the car into a valet spot and said, “Let’s go.”
Apparently, we’d left the past behind and were fully seated in the present.
Daniel
She was here. Wren. Birdie. My eagle.
As we strode toward the restaurant, I could feel the nerves, the skittishness, rolling off Wren. She was scared, and I didn’t care for how that looked on her. Actually, I wouldn’t call it scared, but more timid…which was unlike her.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” I whispered, bringing my hand around her back, my palm settling above her ass.
“Danny-boy, good to see you,” the partial owner and manager, Jack, greeted me. He held out a hand and I shook it with my free one.
It was the middle of the afternoon, but I’d been coming to this tiny Italian place before it became a mecca for star sightings. I’d called to let Jack know we were coming, and he was happy to oblige.
“Wren, meet Jack. He’s been taking care of me as long as I can remember…”
