Page 32 of Restored Dreams

“Really?” Brut interjects. “Would you help me?” His eyes scan my body. “Know how to use a hammer?”

“Nah, but I could make some decent cupcakes to inspire you,” I tease, hoping to shift the conversation. I don’t want the day to turn serious, so I reach for his hand. This draws his attention to our linked fingers, and then his eyes jump to mine.

“You could be very inspirational for me, Lily pad.” I have no idea what he means, but he smiles before lifting our joined fingers and kissing my knuckles. Then he tugs me forward, and we continue our day at the zoo.

+ + +

On our way back to the beach house, Brut stops at a seafood shack, swearing they have the freshest fish. It’s a little dive diner, but I love the atmosphere of red checkered oilcloth table coverings and deep wooden benches for seats. I order a margarita while Brut orders a beer.

“Tell me your favorite thing about the day.”

“You,” Brut says without hesitation. He doesn’t even look up from the menu to respond.

“I’m serious,” I tease. “What was your favorite part?”

“Spending time with you.”

“Brut,” I admonish with a giggle. “Not me. At the zoo. Your favorite thing you saw.”

“The expression on your face. You’re like a kid each time you saw something new. Your face would light up, and your smile would beam. It was fascinating.”

My shoulders fall. Not in defeat but in awe. “Brut, that’s…that’s incredibly sweet.”

“I had fun.” His shrug dismisses what he said.

“See, you do know how to have fun,” I repeat with a clap of my hands. When he asked me yesterday about fun, I didn’t know what to say. I’ve lived a good life despite my past. Not every moment has been perfect, but I can say my life has been decent. Brut doesn’t seem so confident even though he has Chopper and his shop. Not to mention, his brother is his best friend. I don’t have anything like that, but I do have Ester.

“I think you bring it out of me.” Brut taps the edge of my glass with the neck of his beer before taking a swig. I can’t help the heat on my cheeks. He really is sweet.

When dinner ends, we drive back to the house, and Brut rounds the car to open my door. Taking my hand, he walks me to the side entrance and then pulls me to a stop.

“Would you kiss on a first date?” he asks sheepishly, lifting our joined fingers to his cheek.

“It depends.” I tilt my head, wondering where he’s going with his question.

“I don’t really date, Lil. I don’t know how these things work.” His shoulders lift and fall. I can’t imagine Brut not dating. There’s no way he’s been a monk all these years, but then again, you don’t need to go on dates in order to have sex. “I want to end our first date the right way.”

Oh Brut. “As it’s our first date, and because it’s you, I would definitely kiss on the first date.”

“Why ‘because it’s me’?” I could reply with—because we’ve already had sex, so we are past the first kiss—but I hear what Brut wants.

“Because I’ve been waiting a long time for a first date with you, Brut Paige. I don’t think I’d want to wait any longer for a first kiss.”

“I’m sorry, Lily,” he says, his voice softening, but I don’t mean to turn our moment sour. He strokes my hair around my ear.

“Kiss me, Brut,” I quietly command. To my surprise, the kiss is light and tender. I can’t say it turns demanding because it doesn’t. Brut keeps it chaste and delicate, just as a first kiss might be. One hand cups my cheek, and he takes it no further. Pulling back after a few minutes, he presses his forehead to mine.

“Thank you for that,” he says, rubbing his nose against mine.

“I’ll be your first kiss anytime, honey.”

20

Bump. Set. Spike.

[Brut]

I’m still on the high of our day, the kiss at the door, and her calling me honey, so while I want to do it right, I don’t want to spend another night without her.