Page 52 of Sight of Fate

“I’m sure there is some culinary technique they use that’s different, but you would have to ask Macklin,” he says with a chuckle. He picks up his glass and takes a sip. “Have you decided what you want for dinner?”

Aisling comes back and sets down the appetizer, then leaves.

The first bite is tender and juicy, and I shoot Teague an incredulous look. “You weren’t kidding. This is delicious and tastes so fresh. And this sauce. I could lick the platter clean.” I wince. “Not that I would. It’s a saying from home.”

“The South, right?” he recalls, leaning back in his chair.

I chuckle. “Yep, and we have more sayings than you can shake a stick at.”

His lips twitch. “That definitely sounded southern. What’s your favorite? Or the craziest?”

“There are so many,” I admit, with a self-conscious shrug. “My mother grew up in the country, and she used them all the time.” I’ll never forget her sweet accent. “She used to tell me that I was too big for my britches. Or she’d say ‘that dog won’t hunt’ when I’d try to get out of my chores. If she didn’t like someone, she’d say ‘bless her heart.’”

Teague chuckles, then reaches out and clasps my hand. “You said she passed when you were sixteen? Was it just you and your dad then?”

“Never knew him,” I say, matter of fact. “One-night stand kind of thing.” Never missed him either. Because I had Hank. He was the only dad I ever knew. Too bad he turned out to be a shit stepfather.

His gaze is thoughtful. “You had nobody when she died?”

I open my mouth, then shut it, and stare at Teague. “I don’t want to ruin our date by talking about the past,” I finally say.

Aisling returns to the table. “Ready to order?”

Teague raises an eyebrow, and I dip my chin. “I’m going to have the cream chicken with mushroom risotto and a side of green beans.”

Aisling jots it down and takes my menu from me. “Mr. Lochlan?”

“I’ll have the lamb, with the grilled asparagus, and roasted red potatoes,” he says, giving her the menu.

After she leaves, he picks my hand up again and plays with my fingers as his gaze locks with mine. “This might be our first date, but you’re my mate. There’s nothing I don’t want to know about you. Nothing you could say would make me leave. If I push too hard, tell me to back off. But hopefully, as time passes, you’ll feel comfortable enough, trust me enough, to share more.”

There’s so much emotion in the way he looks at me as if I’m worth the thousand years he spent waiting for the Fates to bring me to him. It’s quite terrifying. What happens when he doesn’t like what he sees? Or hears? He’ll leave.

Some of what I’m thinking must show because he frowns. “Never going to happen.”

Only death can sever the ties between us, and even then, I’d follow you.

I inhale sharply as his words fill my mind.

“Everybody leaves,” I persist, trying to make him understand.

His jaw locks and his eyes narrow. “Humans, maybe. But a mate isn’t a one-night stand or a boyfriend or a husband. You’re my forever. And as someone who’s immortal, I know the weight of that statement.” His chest rises and falls as he takes a deep breath. “I understand being afraid. Every day, I wake up and reach for you, for the connection between us, and for a split second, I’m terrified it won’t be there. That I’ll find nothing on the other end. Then, I do, and I’m so damn relieved it almost drives me to my knees.”

Something tight eases in my chest as he confesses.

“Cream chicken,” Aisling says, setting down my dish. “And the lamb. Is there anything else I can get for you?”

Teague glances at me, and I shake my head. “No, thanks, Aisling.” He peers at my plate. “What do you think?”

The chicken is a warm golden brown, with a light cream sauce drizzled over it, sitting on top of the mushroom risotto.

“Looks so good.” I cut off a small bite and pop it in my mouth, then groan. “Amazing.”

He does the same and nods several times. “First time I’ve had the lamb. It’s perfect.”

Starving, I dive in and hum happily when I bite into a crisp green bean. “What’s your favorite food?”

“A burger. Doesn’t matter what’s on it, although cheese is a requirement,” he says with a grin. “You?”