“Did she tell you?” he sniffles quietly.
“Yeah.” Fuck her so much.
“What did you tell her?” I hate hearing his voice broken like this.
I squeeze him hard and kiss his hair. “I don’t like anyone who hurts you.”
He huffs at that, but leans his head on my shoulder. “Thanks.”
“I’ll take you for ice cream. You can get the largest size of that lemon-honey-mango that you like.” It’s weird, but not awful,and it always helps improve his outlook on life when shit goes sideways.
“I’ll share it with you.”
I know.
Weird ice cream for the win.
Present Day
Phineas
He’s the prettiest man I’ve ever seen. The glow that shines out of him when he smiles makes me stupid. Every time he looks at me like it’s Christmas morning, I want to give him everything he could possibly want. My heart gave itself to him the moment he turned those dimples up at me like I was saving his personal bacon. He doesn’t even own the cafe, he’s just friends with the owners, but he took me fixing the refrigeration unit as an act of heroism. It was ridiculous, and me spending ten bucks every morning just to see him again was just as ridiculous.
Thankfully he said yes to a date. That’s going to save me seventy bucks a week. My sister’s been on my ass about my spending, but I have more savings than I know what to do with, so she can bite me.
Carefully, I scoot into the booth the host leads me to, facing the front of the restaurant. It’s a neighborhood bar and grill, but Gael didn’t give me the impression that he was the fancy-restaurant type. And it would be weird if he was because that’s not who I am, and we are definitely… something more than casually compatible.
With my eyes glued to the front of the restaurant, I completely miss the waiter coming over and putting water infront of me until Gael walks in the front door, and I raise my hand to wave at him, knocking over the glass of ice water and making a mess of the table, the floor, and the front of my pants.
Gael’s amused smile turns my excitement about this date into a flush of embarrassment about my clumsiness. He saunters to me on legs made for admiring, wearing a fitted lavender button up and painted on dark wash jeans. In his hand is a small bouquet of rainbow-dyed carnations, and when he arrives at the booth, he hands them to me with a laugh.
“Hello, handsome,” he greets me, leaning over and kissing my cheek. I accept the flowers, but before I can get a word out, he turns, grabbing the attention of the closest server. “Go get a rag, please. My date’s water tipped over,” he tells the man, indicating the mess. “And we’re going to move to that table,” he adds, pulling me out of the booth and pushing me into the one behind us.
As soon as I’m scooted over, Gael takes up the space across from me with a pleased smile on his face. “You’re so cute,” he says to my flushed face. I know it’s red because I’m ginger and my face shows every emotion that passes through, including the current spark of arousal at the way he just showed up and took control.
I press my lips together, remembering the flowers in my hand. “Thank you for the flowers,” I say quickly. “I’ve never been given any before.”
“I’ve never been on a date with a man, so we’re both experiencing new things today,” he replies, reaching over and setting the flowers on the table and taking my hand. “Sin was a little shocked when I told him I was going on a date with you, but he’s on board. He actually went out to get the flowers while I showered. Well, and the lube packets. He decided I didn’t need that kind of bulge in my pants.” He laughs, threading our fingers together, and I breathe out a breath of relief.
I don’t know who Sin is, but Gael’s touch reassures my heart that he really is the person for me, and I know in my bones that we’re fated. I didn’t even know it was possible to just suddenly have that knowledge, but now I do. He’s mine, and I’m his, and this is the last first date I will ever go on.
Gael smiles at me like he can feel that destiny between us too. “That look on your face is my new favorite.”
I chuckle softly, keeping my voice low out of habit. “I don’t know what look is on my face, but I think you can look forward to seeing it a lot.”
Gael laughs, so happy it fills my heart with joy. “Sin is going to love you.”
Who’s Sin?
Chapter 2
Present Day
Sin
I munch on something odd that Gael put in my mouth. He says it’s sweet sushi, but all I can taste is the ginger and lemon. It tastes like I should eat it when I’ve got a cold, but I don’t say that. I wouldn’t. Gael likes it, and I’m not going to reject anything he likes.
He’s been glowing for the past few days ever since his Friday-night-turned-weekend with Phineas. He radiates happiness, and it feels like I’m swimming in his sunshine right now. Sometimes he takes a few weeks to decide whether to introduce me to his new lovers, but I can tell by the glow that he’s going to want me to meet Phineas as soon as possible.
