I took a deep breath. “My childhood wasn’t easy—that’s putting it mildly.”
He shifted his jaw. “What does that mean? I’m fearing abuse…”
I shook my head. “No. More like…betrayal.” I smiled, but it wobbled. “I’m being vague, I know, and I’m sorry. It’s difficult for me to talk about.”
“I understand,” Cormac said. He rubbed a palm along the back of his neck. “Normally I wouldn’t talk about my past either, but I’m attracted to you, so it seems important. What I’m feeling…is kind of freaking me out.”
I blew out a breath. “Good. I’ve been freaking out, too!”
His lip curled up, not enough to call it a grin, but his intense expression softened. “I have to ask. I know it’s forward, too soon—”
“Yes, I’ve always wanted kids,” I said.
He sat back, dropping his hands into his lap. “How’d you know I was going to ask?”
I smiled. “I saw how you treated Andy today. And you said you were hurting too much to go to the children’s ward because your ex-wife didn’t want kids…” I emphasized theex.
“All true.” He smiled. “You’re sharp.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Or you’re easy to read.”
He tipped his head back and laughed. “No one’s ever claimed that before. Well, maybe when I was in my angry phase.”
I sobered. “I’m really sorry that happened to you,” I said. No one should feel used or unwanted. Those emotions damaged self-confidence, further eroding trust and happiness. Unfortunately, I was all too familiar with that downward spiral, and I hated that he’d gone through it too.
“It was a long time ago,” he said.
“You were so young.”
He shrugged. “Now I’m not. I know what I want, and I’m going to get it.”
I rested my chin on the back of my hand. “Oh? Do tell.”
“Well, first, I want a glass of water.”
I grinned. “I could use one of those, too.”
“Then I want to eat something delicious while I get to know you better.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“And then, maybe at the end of the night…”
My heart pattered in my chest, trying to unmoor itself so it could float upward. “Yes?”
“I’d like to get your number so I can text you to make sure you got home okay.”
I shook my head, laughing, some of the anxiety easing. Cormac waved the waiter over, who brought us waters. I took a long sip.
“So…that’s all you want?” I asked as I sat the glass down.
“Not even close. But those seem like achievable goals for tonight.”
“Achievable goals.” I chuckled.
He shrugged those heavy shoulders. “I’m an athlete. I think in goals—what I can manage, what I need to improve to hit the next level, next goal post.”
I shot him a look from under my lashes. “I think you should aim higher.”
