“And you know how to cook that too?”
“Yup. It’s one of my favorites. You didn’t ask, but I’m telling you anyway.”
“Sure, I didn’t ask,” I murmured.
“All right, so not meat, not poultry. Maybe fish? Cod filet, beurre blanc.”
“No.”
“Truffle risotto? Pan-seared scallops with lemon butter and celery? Gnocchi with parmesan cream and mushrooms?”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re not going to quit until I tell you, are you?”
“Nope. I could spend all night rattling off every dish in the world.”
“You’ve got an annoying side I never noticed before.”
“It’s also pretty damn charming. My mom liked it about me. So, your favorite dish?”
“Fine. Tourtière. Just a meat pie. Nothing fancy like Michelin star food. Happy now?”
“Very happy. What’s your favorite color?”
That’s where I’d had enough. I put my fork down and gave him a murderous glare.
“Why are you doing this?”
“I told you. I want to know you.”
“Well, I don’t want to know anything more than what I already know about you. And I don’t want to share anything else with you either. I don’t know if this is just some game for you, but I’m serious. You destroyed any chance we ever had. I’ll never forgive you for humiliating me, ignoring me, threatening me for a year, then stealing the only moments where I felt any control over my life. A life that was never really mine to begin with. Maybe that means nothing to you, but it does to me. And no, I don’t want to spend my evening answering stupid questions trying to fake a relationship I don’t even want. You ruined everything between us, so now you deal with the consequences.”
I spoke firmly, making sure every word landed. Konflict just watched me, not saying anything. It took me a few deep breaths to calm down and swallow the tears burning at the edge of my eyes.
“One week,” he finally spoke into the heavy silence.
“What?”
“Give me one week, Serenity. One week for me to open up to you, and for you to open up to me. One week to really give us a chance. Not to fix what I broke, but just to show you what I would have shown you if there’d never been a war between our families. If you were just Serenity, the girl I’ve been crushing on for years. Just give me one week. Then, if you still don’t want me, I’ll sign the divorce papers.”
My eyes went wide, my heart pounding so hard I could barely think. I hadn’t expected him to say that. I stared at him, searching for any sign he was bluffing. He looked completely serious.
“You’ll give me the divorce?”
“If that’s what you want after a week, yeah.”
I inhaled and exhaled, refusing to break eye contact.
“Okay,” I said, my voice tight.
“Okay?” he echoed, a small smile tugging at his mouth.
“Okay,” I repeated, more firmly.
His smile grew so wide it actually surprised me. Why the hell did he look so happy over something so small? His whole face lit up like I’d just agreed to marry him,willingly. I didn’t know this side of him. I didn’t think I’d ever even seen him smile. Well, he did smile occasionally, but never this wild, happy, relieved smile. Honestly, it was almost criminal to keep that kind of smile from the world because it was beautiful. I’d never noticed the little dimple on his right cheek before.
Damn, he really is handsome.
“If you’re done eating, come with me. I have an idea.”
