Page 30 of Spark

Dex took a sip of his beer and sobered. “They’re good people. I didn’t know what to expect, but yeah, I like ’em. All of them.”

Before she knew what she was doing, she curled her hand over his and squeezed. His own family was crappy, like hers, and she was so happy he’d found this one. She was happy they’d made space for her as well. “I’m so glad.”

His gaze lifted, locked on hers. “They’re not the only people I met when I moved here that I like.”

“No?”

“No,” he said in his deep, rough voice.

“I’ve met a few people I really like as well,” she said, finding it hard to breathe with her pulse racing like it was.

The giant broody man across from her kept her locked in his sights, and she couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to.

“How about you? The new job? Working with Shay?” he asked.

She leaned forward as well. The restaurant was dimly lit, cozy, and she couldn’t help but try to get closer to Dex. When she was with him, she always wanted to get closer. “I love it.” The smile that curled her lips was involuntary. “I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy.”

Dex’s Adam’s apple slid up and down his thick neck. “Yeah?”

She shook her head. “I went through law school and started at the family firm straight after. It was what was expected, what had been expected my whole life. I guess I never thought of arguing or fighting for what I wanted.” She toyed with her napkin. “Suttons don’t do that, fight against each other like that. A united front is expected at all times.” Her belly tightened at the sympathy in Dex’s eyes. “I hated it,” she whispered. “I hated every moment of that life. I felt like I was…God, like I was drowning, dying slowly.”

“Sweetness.” Dex looked pained, sad for her.

She shook her head and smiled. It felt shaky. “I finally did what I needed to. And it will hurt like hell if my family cuts me off because I chose happiness over duty, but I won’t go back to that. Not ever. And I’ll prove them wrong.”

It was then she realized she was still holding Dex’s hand, that she’d been toying with his thick, rough-skinned fingers the whole time she talked. But he was so easy to talk to, to open up to. She started to let go, but he turned his hand palm up and curled his fingers around hers, holding on.

“You don’t know how fucking glad I am to hear that, Hattie.”

The food arrived and they were forced to let go of each other.

As Hattie ate her own meal, she couldn’t help but watch Dex work his way through the food he’d ordered. It was as enjoyable as she thought it would be.

“So, your brother’s wedding—are you going?”

His fork paused halfway to his mouth and his gaze lifted to her. He dipped his chin.

Hattie could have kicked herself for bringing up such a painful subject when they were having such a good time. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

“Nah, it’s all good. I’m fine.” He shrugged his big shoulders and dipped his gaze. “Probably more than I should be.”

Why did that make her feel so relieved? “Still, the actual wedding—surely they don’t expect you to go?” Why was she pushing this? What did it matter to her if he went to the wedding, where he’d see his ex-girlfriend and possibly have a whole lot of feelings resurface that he thought were buried?

“I’m over it, Hattie. Honestly, Chloe and I had been drifting apart long before she ditched me. It was only a matter of time before it ended between us. And I think not going would say more than just sucking it up and sitting through it. Zane’s my brother, and despite being a fucking dick most of the time, I’d like us to get through this shit and move on. I don’t want it hanging over our heads whenever we see each other, and going will help get us there.”

“That’s very big of you,” she said, not sure if she could do the same thing.

He took a sip of his beer and glanced up at her. “Be a whole lot better if I had someone to come with me.”

She stilled when he aimed his brown eyes at her, all hopeful and gorgeous.

“What do you say?” he said.

“You really want me to come with you?”

He nodded.

“Are you trying to guilt me into it?” she said, amused when he attempted a downcast expression. He was actually pulling it off.