Definitely. I understood where she was coming from because I felt the same way. At the time, I was between jobs and relationships. I was at a crossroads, searching for direction. I found it that night. The experience had inspired my best-selling collection. I’d left her invigorated and determined to make my mark. The next day I’d landed a job at a top hip hop magazine, and I’d been soaring ever since.
“Maddox?” she whispered. “If I have dinner with you, it wouldn’t bejustdinner.”
Sloane was right, and that simple truth made everything complicated. Dinner was a formality, a pre-cursor to my mouth on her clit and my dick in her pussy. Dinner was a promise to explore the connection that had been seared on my mind. Dinner was the realization that I couldn’t walk away from her again without feeling like I’d lost something important. And I didn’t want to lose anything or anyone else.
“How about lunch then?” I asked
Her eyes flickered with amusement, and she tossed me a lopsided grin. “How about a drink?” She glanced at her watch. “Apparently, I just got stood up and I’m free for twenty minutes.”
Several minutes later, we were on our second tasting. This time, she tried a Merlot while I sampled a Syrah. We’d kept the conversation polite, not too intrusive, not too personal. Sloane’s face lit up when she’d shared a little about her business, Sloane Interiors. She’d just landed a new account and couldn’t wait to get started on the design.
While she talked, I found myself transfixed by her. Today, she wore dark jeans, a t-shirt and Crocs. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and she smelled like fruit and flowers. Grapefruit and pear, daisies and jasmine.
“I’m happy to see you’re still pursuing your passion. Your work is amazing.”
I recalled briefly discussing my career with her back then—the pitfalls of the industry, the disappointments, the inconsistent income. At that time, so much of my life was in flux that I’d contemplated quitting. The fact that she remembered the conversation kind of confirmed that I’d made the right decision coming to the wine kiosk. Raising a brow, I asked, “You looked me up?”
Her eyes locked on mine. “I did.”
“I’m glad.”
A slow smile formed on her full lips. She pointed at me. “Don’t let it go to your head, though.”
“I’ll try.” Leaning closer, I said, “I’m curious about something.”
She arched a brow. “What is that?”
“Why were you meeting a date in the mall?”
Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips and I followed the movement like a hawk. “It’s this thing. My sister and my cousins have set me up on ten short dates, so that I can find someone to accompany me on a trip to Disney World.”
Okay, so I wasn’t expecting that. But now I was even more intrigued. “You’re going to Florida?”
“In February. The trip was a gift from them. They told me I needed to find some magic because apparently I’m too jaded.”
“You don’t believe in magic?”
She shrugged. “I used to,” she admitted. “Now, not so much.”
Bliss’ words replayed in my mind.Make her see that it’s safe. “I know the feeling,” I confessed. “My mother died last year. Christmas was always important to her, and it just doesn’t feel right celebrating it without her. Ya know?”
Her expression softened. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.”
“I tell myself every day that living is what she wanted most, so I should do my best to live a full life. But on days like today, I really just want to give her a hug or hear her voice.”
“You’re also human, and you are allowed to feel how you feel. Honestly, I don’t know what I would do without my mom.”
“Are you close to her?”
She smiled. “Very. When I think of a strong woman, I think of her. The things she’s been through… Many would’ve given up. But she persevered. Now, she’s retired and living her best life with my dad.”
“That’s nice.”
“What about your father?”
“We’re good. I’m actually looking forward to spending more time with him and my siblings.”
“Where do you live?”
