“I’m sure he won’t mind. Something wrong? I thought you had fun.”
“I did.” She whispered a thank you when Corinne set a glass of water in front of her. “Mommy talks about me a lot?”
“She sure does.” I nodded back. “All the time.”
“She looks happy. Happier than she used to be in our old apartment. She used to be sad a lot.”
My heart sank at the crestfallen expression on her face.
“Well, that’s because she was working extra hard, and I bet she was really tired. All she ever talks about is what a great kid you are and how she can’t wait to graduate and find a good job, so you can have an even better apartment. She’s happy because after she leaves school, you guys are going to have an awesome life. She loves you more than anything in the world, so don’t ever think you were the reason she was sad.”
“She loves you too, I think. She always smiles when you’re around.”
“That’s because I act like a clown and make her laugh.”
I managed to get a giggle from Victoria.
“Do you love her?”
“Yes,” I replied without hesitation. “Your mom is . . . beautiful. On the inside and out.”
“Do you want to marry her?”
My jaw clammed up as my mouth went dry. I’d been trying to figure out a way to stay together, but I never thought about marrying her—at least not in the official sense. Sure, in the future, some day. Marriage was in the same slot I’d put children, an “of course I want it, but not right now.” If I wanted Sara, kids were part of the picture, but it never had the chance to fully sink in until that moment. Did I want a whole gaggle before I turned thirty? Maybe not. But I found myself wanting this one. This shy-at-first little girl who had enough energy to light the sun when you got to know her captivated me as much as her mother did. Did I want to share a bed with Sara every night?God, yes.When I fell in love with Sara, no other woman in the world existed. She was all I needed. The thought of leaving her in May twisted me up so much, if I let myself ponder life without her for too long, a blinding panic laced through my system.
“Yes,” I whispered with the same certainty as before. “Yes, I do.”
“Oh, sorry, Sara. I didn’t know you were standing there.” My head jerked to Corinne’s voice and a shell-shocked Sara gawking at me.Shit. How much did she hear?
“Hey, Corinne, would you mind sitting with Victoria for a minute?” I popped off my seat and grabbed Sara’s hand, pulling her to the entrance of the empty restaurant.
“Drew,” my name fell from her lips as a gravelly whisper as she brought her hand to her chest. “I don’t know what to sa—”
I put my finger on her lips. “You don’t have to say anything. Look,” I cradled her face in my hands. “You have to know how I feel about you by now. I love you. I want it all with you. Just you, and I can’t see that changing.”
“You’re twenty-five. Do you really want all this now? Wife, kid, obligations?”
“You’re the love of my life, not an obligation. And maybe not today or tomorrow or next year, but I meant what I said to Victoria. How I feel about you isn’t going to fade. It’s permanent, no matter what my age is or will be. And I know that’s why you’re getting upset lately—graduation and figuring shit out—but I’m begging you this time, just trust me, okay?”
She latched onto my wrists, my hands still framing her face. “I love you, too. So much. But I don’t want you to get stuck—”
“I’m not stuck, Caldwell. I’m in love.” I kissed her lips, lingering for a long minute before I pulled back. “Even at twenty-five, I know the difference.”
Sara
“I’LL CALL YOUfrom the train, once I get on, I guess.” I wrung my hands in my lap as Drew’s car arrived at the train station. “God, I’m so fucking nervous.” My hand raked through my hair, pulling at the roots.
He pulled into the parking lot and cocked his head to the side. “Really? I couldn’t tell.”
I jabbed his arm before unbuckling my seat belt. “This is important. The one restaurant that seemed willing to give me a decent salary and flexible hours. If I don’t get it—”
“This . . .” Drew reached over the passenger seat to squeeze my arm and pull me toward him. “This is a formality. You had two interviews when you were in the city the last time. I bet they’re bringing you in to make an offer.” He pressed a kiss to my temple and cupped my cheek. “They’d be crazy not to hire you.”
The corners of my lips lifted despite the crippling nerves. If only the rest of the world saw me through Drew’s dazzling dark eyes. The adorable bastard had me almost optimistic at times. It was surreal to have someone so dedicated, so in your corner for every little thing, I wasn’t sure how I survived back when I had no one.
“You’re the crazy one, Kostas.” I cradled his face in my hands and kissed his lips, savoring him for a moment before I pulled back.
“I’ll pick you up tonight. And good luck, even though you won’t need it.” He picked up my wrist and planted a quick kiss to the inside of my wrist. “I love you.”
