We both fall silent for a few seconds. But it’s not an uncomfortable silence—more of a thoughtful one. One heavy with unspoken words and hopes and possibilities.
At least, that’s whatI’mthinking.
On an exhale, I finish the rest of my story. “Once the police left, my boss sent me home. But I was too antsy to just go back to my apartment and sit there, stewing. So I came here instead. And now…” I shrug. “Here we are.”
Dave lightly squeezes my hand. “Here we are.”
Through the clinging frustration and anger, a burst of joy emerges.
He’s still holding my hand.
And I like it. A lot.
Dave stares at me for a second, his expression contemplative. He starts to say something. Stops. Then starts again. “I know we just met. But…”
That cute flush rises in his cheeks again, adding a note of vulnerability to his expression. “I’d really like to make sure you get home okay. And this place doesn’t close for—” He glances at his watch. “Another hour or so. Would you want to stay here with me until then? Just to get to know each other better? And then I could escort you home?”
My silly, hopeful heart flutters again. That sounds kind of like a date. Sort of.
“If you’re not sure,” he adds, “I could call a couple of my buddies to vouch for me. There’s Oliver, he’s a cop with the Sleepy Hollow police. Grant works at the fire station with me, and he’s a former SEAL. So he’s definitely trustworthy. If you want to look at my license?—”
Before he can finish, I blurt, “No.”
His face falls. “Oh. Okay. Well. Maybe I could at least call you a taxi. An Uber. Something.”
“That’s not what I meant,” I hurry to add. “No, you don’t need to call your friends. I just have this feeling… I can trust you. And… I’d like to stay here with you. Talk. Maybe have some dessert. If you’re sure you have time.”
A smile brightens his features. “Oh. Good.” He picks up the forgotten ice pack and presses it gently to my cheek. “And I have plenty of time. The conference I was attending—this fire and rescue conference at the Hilton—is basically over. I didn’t want to hang out at the hotel bar, so I came here. I can stay as long as you like.”
I grin at him. “That sounds really nice.”
“It does,” he agrees. Another silence falls, but this one is filled with hopeful promise.
Angling his chin at my mostly uneaten pizza, Dave says, “You should eat that before it’s totally cold. And I can ask the waitress for some dessert.”
“What about your food?” I ask. But when I glance over at his now-deserted table, his food is nowhere to be found. “Crap. The waitress took it. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I had plenty.” His thumb strokes across the back of my hand. “Do you like tiramisu? Cannolis?”
“Tiramisu.” My stomach gives an eager rumble. “Please.”
“Sounds good.” Dave signals for the waitress again, then turns back to me. “So. You’re a bartender. I did that back in college. Do you like it? On the days when it’s normal, I mean.”
I swallow a bite of pizza before responding, “It’s okay. The tips are pretty good, and I like the people I work with. Most of the customers are nice. But I’m not planning to work at the bar forever.”
“What would you like to do?”
“I’d like to be a vet. That’s what I’m saving money for. I got my bachelors six years ago, but the cost of veterinary school was just too much back then. I didn’t want to end up thousands of dollars in debt before I even started my career. So I decided to take some time to save up. It’s been taking longer than I hoped, but someday…”
“Hollis.” Dave gives me another of those sweet smiles. “You’ll get there. And I can tell already that you’ll be an amazing vet.”
There’s something in his eyes that makes my heart roll over. Through a constricting chest, I ask, “How do you know?”
“Because you’re brave. Determined. Kind. And you don’t hesitate to stand up for people in trouble. I’m sure you’ll do the same for the animals you’re caring for.”
Oh.
My.
