“Is that so?” She circled the rim of the wineglass with her finger, and just that simple action had my imagination racing into overdrive.
“Oh yeah. But first, I want to enjoy this meal with you.”
She smiled. “So, what did you and Sophia do besides go candle shopping? This is beautiful, by the way. I would totally post it on my Instagram if I knew it wouldn’t spark a million questions.”
I chuckled. “Well, I’m glad I could design an Instagram-worthy moment.” Not that that had been my intent. I just wanted to create something special for her.
“We went to the grocery store.” I gestured to the platters of food. “And then we went to the park, and she made some new friends.”
“That’s good. I think she could use some more interaction with kids her age,” Alexis said.
“I agree. I was actually wondering if she has any friends in town. She said a lot of them are at overnight summer camp or staying with their dads. But I was hoping to set up some playdates.”
“I think her friend Brooklyn might be back from camp now. You could try reaching out to her dad, Nate.”
“Great.” I refilled our glasses with wine. “If you give me his number, I’d be happy to.”
“Sophia will love that.”
Music played softly, water splashed over the fountain into the pool, and the crickets chirped in the grass. It was perfect. And I could imagine us spending many nights together, eating dinner, laughing, sharing about our day.
“So, um, about earlier,” I said. “I’m sorry for that bombshell I dropped on you this morning.”
Alexis set down her fork, meeting my eyes over the table. I’d been afraid I’d find pity, but all I saw were compassion and love reflected back at me. She pushed back her chair and stood.
“I’m sorry if I came across as insensitive.” She took a seat on my lap. I skimmed her thighs with my hands, relishing the feel of her silky-smooth skin. “And I meant what I said. I’m here if you want to talk.”
I swallowed back a lump of emotion. She had no idea how much that meant to me. Just knowing she cared meant everything.
“You know what I really want to do right now?” I asked. She shook her head. “Relax in the hammock together.”
“I like the sound of that.”
We climbed into the hammock, and she nestled into my side. She fit perfectly in the crook of my arm, and I stared up at the sky, soaking in the moment. I picked up her hand that was resting on my chest, twirling our fingers. I’d never really opened up to anyone about my cancer, but for the first time, I found myself wanting to.
I cleared my throat. “I, um, was a sophomore in college when it started. I was tired, had lower back pain, and kept losing weight.”
She kept our fingers moving, playing and dancing between us. It gave me something to focus on. A gentle comfort. A reminder that the past was in the past.
“At first, we thought it was just mono. But then, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer.”
“That explains your prolonged degree program,” she said.
I nodded. “Yes. For the next few years, my life was consumed with beating cancer. First surgery, then treatments. It was…difficult.” Difficult was a definite understatement. “I tried to continue with school, but it just became too much.”
I didn’t mention the fact that the money my parents had saved for my education had been bled dry. They’d spent that and then some, willing to pay any sum if it meant I could live.
She gripped my hand, and when I glanced down at her, her eyes were filled with unshed tears. “Don’t cry.” A tear streaked down her cheek, and I wiped it away. “Please don’t cry. I was lucky.”
“Lucky?” she scoffed.
“Yes.” I nodded. “Lucky. Unlike so many others, my story has a happy ending. I beat the fucker. I survived. And now I’m lying in a hammock with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
She nodded, but still, I heard her sniffle. “You’re so strong. And I’m so, so sorry that I teased you.”
I pulled her closer to me, holding her tight. “You didn’t know. Honestly, I was nervous about having sex with you.”
“Because of the uniball situation?”
