AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Andrea moved her hand over to rub his back.
“I’m so sorry, Donny,” she soothed.
Donny gave her a small smile. “After her funeral, he ran away, and when I found him, he looked so broken, and I didn’t know what to do, so I promised him that until we got to reunite with her again, it would always only be the three of us— me, him, and Bruce. I promised him that no one would ever take his mother’s place.”
Donny placed his hand over Andrea’s and intertwined their fingers.
“I know it’s a lot to take in, and I have some things to sort through with my son, but I also want you to know that I was able to keep the promise for nine almost ten years because I didn’t find a reason to revisit it.”
Donny took her other hand, causing them to stand completely facing each other. He stared into her eyes as he continued expressing his raw emotions. “No one has had the effect that you have had on me since the first day I met you, Drea. When I am around you, I forget that there is bad in the world, and when you smile, it makes me feel purpose. Something I haven’t felt in a long time.”
Andrea couldn’t help the smile that came to her lips or her hands from moving under his arms and hugging him to her. She’d never felt the way she felt about Donny, and in this instance, she was unable to express them in words. She just held him close to her heart.
“I really had a great time tonight,” Andrea spoke as she looked shyly up at Donny.
“I did too,” he confirmed. “Does that mean I can take you out again?”
“I would be worried if you chose not to,” she returned.
Donny gave her a charming smile before stepping closer to her. Andrea held her breath, waiting, and when his head descended toward her, she slowly closed her eyes and lifted her face to meet the impending kiss. Only it didn’t happen the way she anticipated. Donny’s lips met her cheek in a light kiss before he lifted his head and stared into her now opened eyes.
“I’ll see you soon,” he promised.
Andrea mustered a smile and nodded in return, even though she felt disappointment from not feeling his lips on hers. Still, this was the best date she’d ever had, and she couldn’t wait to go out with him again.
After making her way back home, she walked toward the porch. She stopped in her tracks when she realized her daughter was seated on a swing.
