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Tai’s pulse kicked faster, possibilities flashing through his mind. Attraction was off the table, obviously. He couldn’t, in good conscience, complicate her life more. But just being seen, truly seen by someone, was its own kind of connection. One he’d been missing without even realizing.
He set down his glass, hesitating. He was reluctant to disrupt the warm rapport between them, plus, her family life was seriously none of his business, but when had he ever stayed in his lane? “So...about your dad. What’s the story there? If you don’t mind me asking.”
Her shoulders tensed.
Tai waved a hand in the air. “Forget it, you don’t have to?—”
“No, it’s alright.” She traced a finger down the condensation on her water glass, not quite meeting his eyes. “It’s stupidly complicated.” She huffed a shaky laugh and turned to look out over the cityscape. “I was three when he left us...”
20
Tenaya glanced across the candlelit table at Tai, internally debating how deeply she wanted to delve into her messy family history. Every instinct told her not to bare old wounds. She was an expert at interrogating other people, preferably on the witness stand. And she’d had a lifetime of practice shoving away the hurt of her father’s abandonment.
But maybe, just maybe, she should allow someone else in. Whether it was the food or the soft night air or the handsome man across from her, whatever it was, she felt her defenses lowering.
She dove back into her response, vowing to finish before she could change her mind. “I don’t remember anything about him, really. Just glimpses. His laugh. The smell of his aftershave. My mom never said anything negative. The few times I asked over the years, she said his job was dangerous. Needed him to travel a lot. She said he was out keeping us safe.”
Tenaya kept her tone even, trying to recount the facts without reopening old wounds. “But I knew other kids with parents in the military who came home between deployments. By late elementary school, I stopped asking questions.”
She lifted a shoulder in a small shrug. “My mom remarried when I was seven. I got a wonderful stepdad and half-brothers. My life was complete.” She speared a chunk of chocolate cake with her fork, avoiding Tai’s steady gaze. “End of story.”
Tai was silent for a long moment. When he spoke, his deep voice was gentle. “Still. That had to hurt, not having your real dad around.”
Her first instinct was to bristle. Denton was her real dad, in every way but genetics. She tamped down the anger. Tai wasn’t attacking her this time, only trying to understand.
She stabbed another bite of cake. “Honestly, it bothered me more as a teenager. You know how some kids fixate on things they don’t have? I obsessed over not having my ‘real’ dad walk me down the aisle someday.”
Tai made a sympathetic noise.
“Pretty stupid.” Tenaya gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Especially considering Denton is my dad. And really, I don’t even want to get married.”
“Not stupid at all.” Tai covered her hand with his, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Everyone wants to feel wanted by their parents.”
Warmth tingled up Tenaya’s arm despite herself. She gently withdrew her hand. “It’s in the past. I have everything I need now.”
Tai’s expression turned thoughtful. “Still. Graham cares about you. He may have left, but losing you is eating him alive.”
There it was. Tai’s steadfast defense of his mentor. Tenaya’s first instinct was to snap in retort. But the softly flickering candles and intimate setting made her pause.
Maybe this time, she could try to explain her feelings without anger. Tai was just trying to defend a man he admired.
She kept her voice even. “I realize Graham means a lot to you. But nothing can change the fact that he walked out on my mom and I. I can’t just erase that hurt.”
Tai’s mouth turned down at the corners. He clearly wanted to argue further but seemed to think better of it. “You’re right. I’m probably too close to judge.”
Tenaya blinked in surprise. She’d expected more pushback. “I appreciate you saying that,” she responded carefully. “Besides, whatever his reasons, his behavior was inexcusable.” That she wouldn’t budge on.
Tai nodded slowly. “No doubt.” He tapped his fingers on the tablecloth, looking pensive. “For what it’s worth, I admire you being willing to talk about it. Can’t have been easy.”
Warmth bloomed in her chest at the unexpectedly gracious words. She studied Tai’s chiseled features in the candlelight, once again struck by his thoughtfulness.
Despite their difficult start, he was clearly trying to understand her perspective. And he looked genuinely interested in her feelings, not merely judging or placating her.
The revelation made her pulse leap. She managed a small smile. “It helped more than I expected, honestly.”
Impulsively she reached across the table to squeeze his hand, struck by the urge to prolong this connection between them. “Thank you for listening. Truly.”
His hand was warm and solid beneath hers. She lingered a beat too long before reluctantly withdrawing her fingers, skin tingling.
