19.
February 23rd, 2020
“Why a graphic novelist, though?” Gallan asked, and then took a sip of his dragon fruit virgin mojito. “I’m almost done readingThe Ice Bearer, and I noticed that your dialogue game throughout the book is so much more impactful and descriptive than the usual comic books out there. You could write complete fiction novels, Zaira, instead of limiting your writing potential to just comics.”
A blush creeped up my cheeks as I smiled at the honest intrigue on his face. “I’m so glad you think so.” I forked some lasagna, and then twirled it around as I looked at him. “I like expressing my stories through art, and with comics, I can do exactly that. If I were to write a fiction novel, more importance would be given to the words, and not to my art –ifI even decided to add any into my story, that is.”
He nodded. “That actually does makes sense. Your artisquite crisp and stunning,” he said with a smile.
My face flushed at his compliment. “Thank you.” I put the fork to my mouth and chewed on the creamy lasagna. “Damn, this is sogood.”
“You said that not two minutes ago,” Gallan pointed out.
I clicked my tongue. “Doesn’t mean I can’t praise Mateo’s hard work again.”
He smirked. “If he wasn’t a 55-year-old guy, I’d think you have a crush on him,” he teased.
“And who is to say that I don’t have a crush on him anyway?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Touché.”
Gallan’s chefs had done an outstanding job of putting together the perfect date night dinner for him and I. They’d created a toasty vibe by burning cinnamon candles, setting up a table with mouth-watering cuisines and beverages, and had also turned on Jordan Davis in the background.
All in all, everything was perfect; the night was the most ideal for Gallan and I’s date, thanks to his crew.
I sighed in content and looked around us. “Thank you for doing this, Gallan. All of this is just so beautiful,” I said with a smile.
He adjusted my glasses – that wereannoyinglyfalling off my face – and winked at me. “You deserve it.”
Queue warm fuzzies in my gut.
“You’re too kind.” I sipped my blueberry mojito.Virgin, of course. “I don’t think I deserve all of this.” I circled a finger to emphasize my point.
Gallan raised a brow. “And why do you say that?” He munched on some Spanish Rice, and then hissed a little before shaking his head. “Damn, Mateo. He took a free reign with this when I told him he could make the food spicy today.”
I chuckled. “Well, I love spicy food, so this is heaven for me.”
Gallan sniffed and gulped some water. “Yeah, I know. I asked Kenzie what you like, and she said: ‘Anything spicy.’ So I had to make sure there wasspicepresent in the dinner.”
I ate some of the Spanish Rice and leaned back in my seat. “This issofreaking delicious. Remind me to thank Mateo later.”
Gallan sniffed again and grinned at me. “Will do. But I’m not sure my ass hole is going to forgive me for what it’s going to endure come morning.”
I pinched my expression and threw an olive at him. “Ewww, Gall.Gross.”
He chuckled as he dodged it. “Maybe, but it’s also true.”
I shook my head and laughed. “It is, yes.”
He pointed his spoon at me. “So, you said you didn’t deserve all of this.” He waved the spoon around. “Why did you say that?”
I shrugged and munched on some lasagna. “I’ve never experienced, or evenseen, anything like this, Gallan. The guys I was with in the past were total assholes. None of them thought of doing anything of this nature for me, let alone getting me something. It’s not like I desired anything of the sort, because you know how I feel about materialism in a relationship. But every once in a while, I would’ve appreciated if they at leastacknowledgedthe fact that I meant something to them. They all behaved as if they were doing me a favor by staying in a relationship with me.” I closed my eyes and sighed as I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dump my bad partner choices on you. It’s not something you need to hear.”
“Hey.” He grabbed my left hand and twined our fingers together. “Hey, Zaira; look at me.”
I did, and he brought his lips to the inside of my wrist before placing a lingering kiss there. “I want you to know thatIappreciate you; I respect you. I want you to know that I desire you, feel lucky to have you. You’re special, baby, and I want you to tell me that it’s all that matters to you – knowing that you mean everything to me.”
“Gallan…” The molten obsidian of his eyes sparked against the nightlight; against the truth in his expression, in his voice.
