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“You do?”
He nodded. “Yes, I do. But I can’t be with you, not like that.”
“Because of the boyfriend?”
“And…”
“God.”
“Yeah. I can’t overlook those two things.”
“What if I—”
“Don’t change just to be with me. Change because you want to.” He looked at her and saw her eyes fill with water.
Chapter 33
DING. THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPENED and the sound of tiny footsteps followed by larger ones trotting across the floor captured Sean’s attention.
“We’re over here,” he yelled out. Kyla and Winnie walked toward the sound of the voice and were greeted by Simon. Kyla released Winnie’s leash and she and Simon took off running around the loft.
“That view is beautiful,” she commented, looking out the floor to ceiling windows of the Tribeca Loft.
“Thank you.”
She put her bag on the counter and walked over to the stove. “What smells so good?” she asked, bending over the hot pot.
“Portobello mushroom risotto and grilled lamb chops.”
“Impressive.” She sat at the counter watching as he continued cooking.
He looked over his shoulder at the bag sitting on the counter. “What’s in the bag?”
She reached inside the bag and pulled out a couple of bottles of mineral water, a bottle of red wine, and a bottle of white wine. “I didn’t know what you were making, so…what’s with the sour look? The man at the wine store said these were good.”
He turned back to the stove and removed the pot. “I’ve been sober for sixteen years.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known, I…”
“Don’t be. I should have told you.”
“I’ll take the wine home and we can enjoy the mineral water with lunch.”
He shook his head, smiling. He had never disclosed his sobriety to any of his dates, but Kyla was different. He felt comfortable telling her things he wouldn’t tell people other than family or close friends.
“Do you have any lemons?” she asked.
“Look in the fridge.” She walked past him and the smell of her parfum put him under her spell. He took a deep breath and finished plating lunch.
She filled the glasses and placed them on the table. “Okay, what can I do?”
“Relax.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. You’re my guest.”
“Okay.” She sat down watching as he danced around the kitchen. The Viking range, Sub-Zero refrigerator and a pantry that looked like a gourmet market, proved he wasn’t lying about his cooking skills. He opened the fridge, pulled out a small plastic container and emptied the contents into a bowl.
