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With a subtle tilt of her head, she studies me with a curious gaze. “That doesn’t seem like you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Doing something boring that you didn’t enjoy. It’s just not a side of you I’ve seen.”
A soft chuckle escapes me, and I find myself crossing my arms in a playful gesture. “No, it’s not a side of myself I liked. I’m all about grabbing life by the horns and living it to the fullest. My father always told me not to settle, and I was settling. Big time. I’ll never do that again.”
The waitress drops off our food and we take the opportunity to enjoy it in silence. It's the kind of quiet that wraps around us like a cozy blanket, not a hint of discomfort in the air.
It’s just how my parents used to eat dinner. It brings a smile to my lips.
“This is delicious.”
I nod as I finish off my meal. “I told you, it’s a great restaurant.”
“You said you’ll never settle again, so what is your dream?”
I put my fork down and stare at her. Her eyes shimmer with genuine interest, and her lips gracefully curl into a radiant smile.
Would it be wrong of me to tell her she’s my dream? Just staring at her right now makes me imagine things. Like long-term things.
Wedding bells.
Babies.
Things I’ve never thought about before in my life.
I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You’re gorgeous, you know that?”
She blushes, ducking her head as she shakes it. “Are you avoiding my question?”
“Not at all, but I’m not going to miss an opportunity to tell you what I’m thinking.” She gives me a shy smile and I wink as I continue, “My dream is to do something with music. I’d also love to play on stage. And not focus so much on the coffee side of things..”
“You’re living your dream,” she says, reaching across the table for my hand.
I squeeze her small hand in mine and smile. “I’m living half of it.”
“What’s the missing part?”
“It’s not missing, just not permanently in place yet.”
If she doesn’t understand I mean it’s her, one day she will. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.
“You’ve got things in the works?”
I grin as I lift her hand and place a soft kiss on her palm. “I’m working on it.”
Our eyes lock and I feel like my heart is going to beat out of my chest. I don’t know if she’s going to bolt or if she’s going to give in to what I can see she’s feeling.
“Harrison, it’s so fast.”
“Gotta grab life by the horns, February. No regrets, no settling.”
“I agree, but—”
As she tries to find the words, I speak. “You’ve been hurt. I get that, but you can’t let it stop you from living.”
“It’s not just because I’ve been hurt. Look at what is happening with my shop. It’s looking more and more like I’m going to lose everything. It’s terrifying.”
