“Shut up, Mia.”
“I’m happy for you,” Drew says genuinely.
“It’s nothing serious,” I say too quickly, as if I’m guilty of something. “Just testing the waters.”
“I have to go the little girls’ room.” Mia stands.
Drew slaps her butt. “Hurry back.”
“Will do, Daddy.”
Give me a break.
I have a few minutes to gather information before Mia gets back. I shouldn’t ask, but I’m desperate for an update.
I clear my throat. “How is he?”
“Forget him.”
“Please, knowing will ease my mind.”
“He has a lot on his plate.”
“What happened?”
“He’s a father now.”
“What?” I croak.
Could it be Dom was in a relationship the whole time we were together?
“It’s not what you’re thinking.”
Drew explains the situation, and honestly, I’m at a loss for words. How can a mother abandon her baby? Sadly, Dom has more motive to hate and be distrustful of women now more than ever.
I scan the restaurant in search of my date. It shouldn’t be too hard to find a man sitting alone. I thought of Dom on the whole drive here. He plays a recurring role in my dreams nightly, and it’s pushing me to the brink of madness. My mind is in turmoil, and my heart isn’t in it, but Mia is right. I owe it to myself to move on.
“Pepper?” The deep Irish brogue prickles my skin.
I glance back and see an attractive redheaded man standing to the left of the entrance. He has the brightest green-blue eyes I’ve ever seen and a smattering of freckles across his nose.
“Yes, and you must be Finnegan.”
“Please, call me Finn.”
He leans in for a hug at the same time I offer my hand, and we shake awkwardly. Maybe I made a faux pas. I’m not accustomed to dating. Is hugging over a handshake the norm? I avert my eyes, too bashful to meet his gaze.
“Finn it is.”
“The table is this way.”
“Great, I’m starving.”
I study his tall, broad frame as I follow behind him. This guy is solid muscle. In true gentleman fashion, Finn pulls out the chair for me, and I promptly sit.
“Thank you.” His masculine, woodsy scent is mouthwatering.
“You’re welcome.”
