Brides have gushed about those first sparks when they met their future husband—love at first sight. And a lot of the romances I read feature a moment when the heroine justknowsthe hero is meant for her.
But it seemed like an impossibility for me considering my past of lackluster dates. However, maybe my luck is changing because I definitely feel a spark with Rhys.
Like he’s the guy for me.
Intuitively. No rhyme or reason to it. Just a gut feeling.
Don’t get ahead of yourself. Try talking with the man first.
A waitress guides us to a table for two, and we take seats opposite each other. Poor Rhys squeezes behind the table, his massive body not meant for an intimate setting like Daffodil’s.
“Are you gonna be comfortable here? We can go somewhere else if you’d like,” I suggest. Truthfully, it’s a bit of a tight fit for my large hips and belly, as well, especially with the man behind me pushing his chair further back, edging into my space.
“While I definitely underestimated Daffodil’s popularity tonight, I’ll manage. Let’s just hope they don’t sit someone behind me because I’m not sure there’s gonna be room for them to pull the chair out, let alone sit.” Rhys glances backward at a tiny table shoved into the corner.
We’re at the rear of the restaurant where it looks like they tried to make every last inch count, despite the lack of room for maneuvering around. “I’d rather spend time chatting with you rather than searching town for another dinner spot anyway.”
“As long as you’re comfortable…” A flush of pleasure warms my cheeks as I fidget in my chair. “So, Mr. ForgedbyFire, how’d you become a blacksmith? The last time I heard about that job was in a historical rom—novel.”
A romantic novella by Tessa Dare almost spilled from my mouth before I caught myself in time. I wouldn’t say I’m embarrassed about my preference for reading romance novels, but it’s not something I lead with on dates. It tends to freak guys out like I’m asking them to live up to astronomical standards. You know… because asking for respect and orgasms in a loving relationship is too much to expect from a man these days.
A mental eye roll springs forth, and I study Rhys. He doesn’t look like the kind of guy who gets freaked out by much. He’s got that whole “I’m as sturdy as a mountain and can withstand whatever comes my way” vibe. But looks can be deceiving.
“That’s where I first learned about it, too, actually. A history book in seventh grade. I’ve always liked working with my hands and dealing with molten metal sounded badass. So, I found an apprenticeship in Seattle after high school before moving back here to start my own business.”
“So, you grew up here?” I’m always a little envious of the people who are from Suitor’s Crossing. It’s an idyllic town, perfect for families with its tight-knit community, and I wish I had something similar while I was growing up.
Unfortunately, my childhood was spent moving around the country following my dad as his job uprooted our family every few years. Hard to plant roots or befriend a community when you’re leaving right around the time you start to feel settled.
“Yep, born and raised. My dad used to be a foreman with a timber company near High Ridge,” he explains after we give our dinner order to a harried waitress.
“What about your mom?”
A shadow crosses Rhys’s face and his lips thin into a flat line. “Don’t know. She left us when I was two.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have…”
“No, it’s fine.” He shakes his head. “It’s a reasonable question since I mentioned my dad. Besides, her leaving wasn’t all bad. It taught me a valuable lesson at a young age.” Rhys pauses, his gaze studying me, and I get the impression he’s contemplating whether or not to share this lesson with me.
My belly seizes into a knot as a sense of foreboding creeps in.Get a grip, Willow. It’s not going to be bad.But I can’t shake the feeling he’s about to impart a major facet of his life—one that may put an end to us before we’ve even begun.
“My parents were high school sweethearts, believed in the stupid myth about Suitor’s Crossing andheart sparks. Until my mom decided she didn’t love my dad anymore and took off with another man. Apparently,hewas herheart spark, not Dad.” Rhys spits out the wordsheart sparkwith enough venom to kill, and a shudder of concern sets my heart to beating double-time. “Which is why I don’t believe in the bullshit aboutheart sparksor love. It’s not real.”
Not real.
The conviction in his voice is an arrow straight through my chest.
My potentialheart sparkdoesn’t believe in love.
Can that even be possible?
Told you not to get ahead of yourself…
CHAPTER FOUR
RHYS
Dinner proves to be a quiet affair after I drop the bomb about my mom andheart sparks. Probably not the best decision to lay it all out there for Willow when she hardly knows me, but it would’ve been said eventually. This way she knows where I stand, and we can hopefully move past it.
