Page 39 of Inferno

Selfishly, part of me wants something he will remember me by. I just know he is going to stick with me for a long time.

The perfect man I could never have.

“This food is so good. Tasty. I haven’t had a meal out in forever,” I tell him.

As I finish my sentence, my harsh reality topples over me. I don’t have friends to go out with. I haven’t lived a normal life in five years. Have I ever really?

This man has no idea what he’s blessed me with tonight.

He stops before taking his final mouthful, and his fork clatters onto the plate.

“You okay?”

“You know what? I am. Thank you for dinner. I needed this.”

Just to feel normal for an evening.

“We could do this again?”

He looks at me warily, not wanting to push me.

“Maybe.”

I give him a sweet smile.

Once our plates have been cleared, I’m given the dessert menu.

“Oh, chocolate strawberries.” I used to love those as a kid.

“My mom used to love those. A Friday treat, we’d have a fondue with all the fruits and candies. She loved chocolate, actually,” Jimmy tells me, I can hear the grief in his voice.

“Hey! My mom was the same. A whole cupboard full of all varieties!” I smile thinking about my mom for the first time since her death.

My eyes glass over and Jimmy puts his hand on my shoulder and squeezes lightly. I bury my feelings away. They make me weak. I want to forget.

“Any memory is a good one, heartbreaker. Don’t let the bad overtake the good ones.” He nods to me and I fight the tears.

“Shall we order some? Start some new memories too?”

He brushes my hair away from my face and I lean into his touch.

“I’d like that,” I whisper.

“I’m just going to the restrooms, I won’t be long.”

Chapter 13

DECLAN

“You better not be running on me,” I tell her as I pull my phone from my pocket.

“And miss dessert? It’s the best course.”

My cock twitches. I shift in my seat, adjusting the tension pressing against my zipper. “Damn right it is. Be quick.”

I wink, and satisfaction curls in my gut as that pretty flush climbs her chest. She tries to act unaffected. But she’s not.

But neither am I. I’m here with an aching dick.

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