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I glance down at my simple blue shirt I paired with a long black skirt. It isn’t all that revealing, but the shirt does show off my arm muscles — a fortunate side effect of using a wheelchair.
“Thanks?” I say, hating how it comes out as a question. Dean must notice it as well, because he immediately drops down on his haunches.
“I mean it. You’re always beautiful, but something about tonight, maybe because you’re here with me and not on a phone screen, makes you look even more spectacular.”
Well, crap. It’s a good thing I’m already sitting down because that’s got to be the swooniest thing a guy has ever said to me. We start to make our way to the front of the restaurant, and when I feel Dean’s hand casually come to my shoulder, I falter.
“Is this okay?” he asks, noticing my pause.
I nod quickly, fighting my blush.
Once inside, we’re escorted to a table that already has one of the chairs removed. Dean waits until I’m settled before sitting down next to me.
“I hope it wasn’t presumptuous of me; I called ahead and asked them to set up the table like this. I assumed you’d be more comfortable in your chair, but if you’d prefer, I can get one moved back.”
His nerves are freaking adorable, and the consideration he’s showing is so touching, I don’t think about my reaction, I just do it. Leaning over, I swiftly press my lips to his cheek.
“This is perfect. Thank you.”
The warmth in his eyes settles me, and I realize it really is perfect. I’m here, on a date, with Dean. The feelings that have been growing inside of me over the weeks of texting and calling are not one-sided.
We both pick up the menus laid in front of us, and I take a quick glance. Everything sounds delicious, but there’s a seafood pasta calling my name.
Over a glass of wine, fresh bread, and warm butter, Dean and I talk. And just like it used to over the phone, our conversation flows. I finally come clean about the plan to stay with Mila for the short term, and my hope of finding an apartment close by. And despite how wonderful the night has been, I watch him closely for his reaction. But I clearly had nothing to worry about.
His eyes light up, and his hand reaches out to take mine, his thumb slowly stroking across my knuckles. As someone with limited sensation in so much of my body, small touches like this light me up inside.
“I’m so happy you’re here, Riley. At the risk of sounding like a sap, I truly believe everything will work out for you exactly the way it’s meant to.”
With that enigmatic statement, he gently squeezes my hand before removing his and lifting his wine glass to his lips. I follow the movement, devouring the sight of him drinking his wine, the way his Adam’s apple bobs slightly when he swallows. Good Lord. That shouldn’t be anywhere near as sexy as it is.
Everythingabout him is sexy.
* * *
“Excuse me, I’m so sorry to interrupt, but we’re actually getting ready to close.” The apologetic waitress slides the folder holding our bill onto the table, giving both of us a small smile.
When I look around, I’m filled with surprise to see that the restaurant is empty, and sure enough, staff are slowly moving around cleaning tables, casting glances our way.
“Oh crap,” Dean says, and obviously, he’s just as surprised. His throaty chuckle slides over me. “Guess we lost track of time.” He puts a card in the folder, and hands it back to her before looking at me. “You’re pretty distracting, beautiful.”
“You’re one to talk,” I murmur back with a smirk. Flirting with Dean comes so much easier to me now that we’re here together. The glass of wine I’ve had definitely helped as well.
Once we’re outside, Dean walks me to my car, standing there with his hands in his pockets. “I wish tonight wasn’t ending.”
I tilt my head to the side, looking up at him. “Me too.”
He takes one hand out of his pocket, bending forward to lift mine to his lips. “I’ve thought about this — about taking you on a date, touching you, holding your hand — so many times over the last month. And I gotta say, reality far outweighs my imagination.”
My eyes flutter closed. This man says all the right things and does all the right things, and he’s making me believe that I might finally have a chance at something real with someone.
I still have my eyes closed, but I can feel the movement in the air when Dean crouches down, and the spicy fresh aroma of his cologne hits me.
“Riley, can I kiss you?”
Opening my eyes, I find his face close to mine, his gaze intensely focused on me. I nod slowly. Because I don’t have it in me to form words right now, not with my heart beating so quickly. His large hand comes up and his fingers weave into my hair, running through it softly to cup the back of my head. Both of us keep our eyes open as he leans in, slowly, carefully, angling his head just so, so that our lips line up, and then…
Then he kisses me.
