Page 43 of When Forever Comes

“I’m handsome, funny, charming, and you like how it feels when I’m pressed against you.”

My cheeks burned and I immediately regretted taking another gulp of water because it got stuck in my throat and I drew the entire restaurant’s attention with my coughing. Rhett came up behind me and gave my upper back a few hard pats, successfully clearing my airway and allowing me to breathe again. My eyes watered for several moments as I tried to gather any semblance of composure. He took his spot across from me once more.

“My joke was not meant to deliver such a literal punch.”

We both laughed.

When the food arrived, he reached across the table again, this time taking both of my hands in his. He prayed over our food, the sincerity of his words overwhelming me. He was so genuine and so grateful.

I never imagined meeting a man as attractive and confident as Rhett who also had such a firm faith.

“How long have you been a Christian?” I asked, pouring the dressing over my salad.

“A few years. How about you?”

“How do you know I’m a Christian?”

He smirked and I noticed his slightly crooked front teeth. “Most people would say it’s because of the cross you wear every day, and that’s part of it, but it’s how you treat others.” Rhett took a bite of his fajita, a little sauce running down his chin that he quickly wiped away.

“How I treat others?” I picked through my salad and stabbed my favorite parts: the bacon pieces and hard-boiled egg.

“You’re always smiling at people, even when they wear a permanent scowl. Mr. Roberts is the most miserable man I’ve ever met, yet you had him smiling on day one,” Rhett said, referring to the old man who handed out towels outside the gym and tennis courts.

“Well, he’s always been perfectly pleasant to me.”

“Probably because you treat him the same way you treat everyone, with kindness and respect. Most guests treat him like a servant. Instead of letting him eat alone, you invited him to eat with you. I’ve never seen another guest do that.”

Rhett was talking about the time I saw Mr. Roberts at lunch. He sat against the side of one building on the ground, eating a sandwich alone. I invited him to eat with me since I was also alone and genuinely wanted the company.

“That wasn’t a big deal,” I said, brushing off the compliment.

“Maybe not to you, but for him, it was huge.”

I bit my lip. “My parents raised Olivia and me to respect all people, to treat others how they want to be treated. I don’t like eating alone, so I thought maybe he felt the same way.”

“Believe it or not, I’ve asked Mr. Roberts to eat with me a few times. He’s always turned me down. But I’m convinced you can thaw the most frozen heart.” Hebrushed his thumb against my cheek. “You’ve thawed me.”

I melted right on the spot.

Rhett was a complete gentleman throughout the rest of the evening.

We talked more about our beliefs and values and eventually our conversation ventured onto our families.

“My brother was the golden child growing up,” he said.

“Sounds like my sister.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I know Mom loved us all, but she always had a special place for Caleb. He was her first born and the apple of her eye. Caleb is the one who resembled our dad the most.”

When he saw my look of confusion, he explained, “Dad died when I was just a kid. Caleb took on the role of dad and big brother since Mom had to double her shifts to afford life as a single parent.”

Reaching across the table, I squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry to hear that. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost my dad.”

Rhett’s gaze drifted to our hands. He laced his fingers through mine.

“You’d take it one day at a time. You’d do what needed to be done, because even though the world seems to stand still, it doesn’t. It spins on and you have to move along with it.”

He pulled his hand away and focused back on his fajita.

---