Heat blasts up my neck. “Oh my God.”
Natalia doesn’t even look up from her phone. “If you do, at least let me stream the proposal. I’ll get us a million views.”
Mama gasps, delighted, clasping her hands. “Yes, when? Someone must tell me first. I am the mother of the bride after all. So much to be done. You will do it right, the Catholic way, won’t you?”
“Mama,” I protest, but she waves me off and turns to the Virgin Mary like she’s tattling.
“What will I do with these children, Mother Mary? Help me,” she sighs, making the sign of the cross.
The whole table cracks up, Tata loudest of all as he walks in from the porch, catching the scene. He does his ritual, head kisses all around, Aga, Piotr, me, even Natalia who pretends not to notice but blows him a kiss once he’s past. He pantomimes catching it, pressing it to his chest.
This time even Dominik isn’t spared. He ducks his head as if to escape, but Tata grabs him with both hands, musses his hair, and plants a kiss loud enough to echo. When he lets go, Dominik is laughing, eyes meeting mine as though to saycan you believe this?The look lingers until I break it, breathless. Zosia leans in for her turn and beams when she gets it.
When the last dish is cleared, he insists on walking me to my car. Outside, the air is cool, soft with the smell of cut grass. He stands close while Zosia clings to me for another hug.
“It’s time, piekna(beautiful),” he says once she’s wriggled free. “A date. More than family dinners or babysitting. May is the perfect time for it, the Majówka(spring holiday)spirit, a picnic. Just us three. Sunday maybe?”
I hesitate, teasing because my chest aches with how badly I want to say yes. “I’ll think about it.”
His smile goes crooked, exasperated. “Don’t think too long. My job is to lug things, not use my brain. It’ll take me some time to make all those complicated plans.”
“Ale gówno(What bullshit),” I mutter, making him laugh. “You’re the boss, don’t play dumb with me.”
He shrugs, leans closer. “So they say. Text me when you decide.”
“Sure… when I decide.” My pulse thunders.
He crouches to Zosia’s level. “Go inside for Tatus, hm? Get your toys, your coat. I’ll give you chocolate if you don’t argue.”
She pouts but the chocolate wins. She scampers up the steps. The second she’s gone, he catches me. His mouth takes mine, hard and certain, like he’s been holding back all night. I melt into him, clinging, heat rushing through every vein. Only the sound of Zosia’s feet thudding back down the hall rips us apart.
“I want my chocolate, I did everything Tatus!” she declares.
He looks down at her, grinning. “When we get home. Do you think I carry chocolate like a shop?”
She sighs, outraged but resigned.
Dominik’s eyes return to mine, voice low. “I look forward to our picnic.”
I slide into my car, lips still burning, heart racing like I’ve driven into fireworks. A date. A picnic.
I know before I reach home I’ll tell him yes.
Chapter 16
Strawberry Kisses
The drive out to the park feels like slipping into another world. The city falls away in miles of green, the air sweeter with each turn. When we crest the last hill, the meadow opens wide, dotted with wildflowers, a pond catching the sunlight like glass.
We spread the blanket under the shade. Zosia plops down, immediately demanding strawberries, while Dominik unpacks the rest, bread, sausage, cheese and jars of jam Mama must have slipped in. My chest tightens at the sight. He didn’t just throw this together; he thought about it awhile, planned everything carefully.
It’s easy, the three of us. Zosia rambles about bugs and trees, hands sticky with fruit, commanding our attention like a queen. I wipe her face, Dominik pretends not to notice when she smears her hands on his jeans. We laugh until my cheeks ache. After lunch, Zosia wanders toward the pond to collect rocks. Dominik leans back on his elbows, watching her, then turns to me.
“She really loves you,Auntie Kasia,” he says softly.
Warmth rushes through me. “The feeling’s mutual... she’seasyto love.”
“Her Tatus is fond of you as well…” His gaze lingers, steady and intense. “We hope that’s mutual too.”
