As soon as we stepped out of the terminal, I raised an eyebrow. “What’s with that look? Is Whitlock going bankrupt or something?”
Damian completely ignored my sarcasm. “I heard you almost patched things up with Vincent. Got back together, even.”
I blinked. “Where the hell did you hear that nonsense?”
His shoulders relaxed instantly. “Good. That’s all I needed to hear.”
Then he told me why he was so on edge.
Apparently, word had gotten out that Vincent had come down hard on Sable and made this huge scene at court, apologizing to me like some tragic hero. Damian was terrified I’d fall for Vincent’s guilt trip and give him another shot.
“If I’d known he’d pull that stunt, I would’ve flown back with you,” he muttered. “I wouldn’t have given that bastard a second alone with you.”
He hadn’t been able to accompany me back home because of a major deal Whitlock was locking down for the upcoming year – one that basically tied him up entirely.
I laughed. “Wow. So much trust you have in me, huh?”
Damian looked genuinely worried, “Well… you loved him for five years. Feelings like that don’t just disappear overnight.”
I paused for a moment, letting his words settle. “You’re right… the longer you love someone, the harder it is to let go,” I said quietly.
His shoulders stiffened.
But then I tilted my head toward him and smiled. “But you know how I am. When I love, I love with everything I’ve got. And when I decide to walk away, I never look back.”
He sighed dramatically. “I honestly don’t know if I should admire you for that… or pity myself.”
–
I kept quiet, but I knew exactly what he meant I hadn’t given him an answer yet. Not really.
But deep down, I knew one thing for sure: a failed marriage wasn’t going to rob me of my ability to love again.
We walked out of the airport side by side. Damian drove me back to my apartment and the moment my head hit the pillow, I was out cold until nightfall.
Later that evening, Damian came to pick me up for dinner. He took me to this beautiful riverside restaurant, the city lights reflecting off the gentle waves like tiny drifting stars.
As always, Damian cut up my steak before sliding my plate back to me. Then suddenly, he chuckled.
I looked at him, confused. “What’s so funny?”
Propping his chin on his hand, he smirked. “Doesn’t this feel a bit familiar?”
And just like that, it clicked.
Memories flooded back
—
the days when I used to boss him around like a little tyrant. We once made a silly bet; he lost and ended up being my ‘servant‘ for a whole week.
Chapter 21
7:55 pm DDD
I remembered that particular night – it was Valentine’s Day. Vincent had gone out with Isolde,
leaving me heartbroken. So I dragged Damian out for dinner. He’d cut my steak the exact same way back then.
I even drank that night.
Almost as if reading my mind, Damian asked, “Care for wine?”
I nodded.
He went ahead and ordered the most expensive bottle on the menu.
After dinner, we stepped out onto the terrace. The cool breeze felt calming as I leaned against the railing, gazing at the reflections on the river.
Off in the distance, a young couple was having a public proposal under fireworks. The girl blushed, taking the bouquet of flowers and the surrounding crowd burst into applause. It was so pure, so simple. Love, in its rawest form.
Suddenly, I felt Damian’s arms circle around me from behind, his hands resting on the railing, caging me in gently.
His scent that familiar mix of woodsy cologne and something uniquely him surrounded me. I couldn’t help but curl my fingers slightly under his touch.
–
completely
He rested his chin lightly on my head, his voice soft and almost wistful. “Andrea, when do you think we’ll get to be like them?”
It sounded like something said in drunken jest, but the tenderness in his words made my heart skip.
Maybe it was the wine, maybe it was the fireworks, but something shifted inside me. I slid my hands over his and smiled softly. “Soon.”
He stiffened, then quickly spun me around to face him, eyes wide. “Wait–does that mean what I think it means?”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his boyish excitement. “Hmm… depends. Let’s see how you do.”
He grinned from ear to ear like a kid on Christmas morning. “I won’t let you down!”
Just a little hint of hope and he was already happy.
–
That’s when I knew he really was nothing like Vincent.
Charter 22
