Page 22 of Hooked on Dallas
This is turning out to be an evening of many firsts, in the best way.
We choose a cozy Italian bistro, drawn in by the aroma of garlic and herbs wafting from the entrance. Inside, dim lighting and red checkered tablecloths created an intimate ambiance.
Over antipasto and wine, we delve into more personal topics. Mr. De La Cruz describes his large, boisterous family and someof their hilarious cultural misunderstandings. I share stories of my close-knit group of friends from college and our adventures exploring the countryside.
“You seem so carefree and full of life,” he says, studying me. “Not at all what I expected.”
I swirl the wine in my glass, self-conscious. “What did you expect?”
“Someone more serious. Reserved.” He pauses. “Not someone who would turn my world upside down.”
My heart skips a beat at the tenderness in his tone. “I didn’t mean to disrupt your universe,” I tease.
“I don’t mind.” His eyes gleam with warmth and affection as he reaches across the table to brush a stray curl behind my ear. “Not one bit.”
Heat rises in my cheeks at his touch. I clear my throat, hoping to dispel the sudden tension. “So, favorite books. What are yours?”
“The classics. Dickens, Tolstoy, Hemingway.” He shrugs. “I like stories about the human experience.”
“Me too. There’s nothing quite like getting lost in a vivid tale of love and heartbreak and redemption.”
“Spoken like a true romantic,” he says with a grin.
I duck my head, embarrassed to be caught. I do believe in love. And for the first time, I can imagine finding it in the unlikeliest of places.
The next week flies by in a blur of long workdays and stolen moments together. We meet for coffee on our lunch breaks, text constantly, and see each other nearly every evening. The more time we spend together, the more at ease I feel in his presence.
One night, we go for a hike at a nearby nature preserve. The trail wounds through a forest of towering pine trees, their branches intertwining overhead to form a leafy canopy.
As we walk, our hands brushed together once, then again. On the third time, his fingers interlace with mine, squeezing gently. I glance up to find him watching me, a soft smile on his lips.
Heart pounding, I step closer so our arms touched, thrilling at the contact. He responds by draping an arm around my shoulders and pressing a kiss to my temple.
We stop walking then, turning to face each other in a sun-dappled glade. His other arm encircles my waist, pulling me flush against him. I slide my hands up his chest and around his neck, losing myself in the warmth and strength of his embrace.
“You’ve turned my world upside down,” he whispers, gazing down at me with eyes full of tender affection. “And I don’t want to be set right again.”
I swallow hard against the rush of emotion swelling inside me. “Good,” I say. “Because you’ve become my world, and I never want to leave it.”
He makes a sound low in his throat and lowers his head. Our lips meet in a kiss that is soft, then deepened into something more - a kiss full of longing and promise, sealing our hearts forever.
We break apart, hearts pounding, cheeks flushed. I press my forehead to his chest, listening to the rapid beat of his heart while he strokes my hair.
“I’m nervous,” he admits with a self-conscious chuckle. “More nervous than I’ve ever been in my life.”
I smile, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. “Why’s that?”
“Because you mean a lot to me.” He takes a deep breath. “And I want this - us - to work. I want a future together, with all the ups and downs and imperfections that come along with it. I wantto face every challenge life throws at us, side by side and hand in hand.”
My own heart swells at his words. “I want that too,” I say. “I want to share every moment with you, no matter what comes. The good and the bad, the laughter and the tears, today and always.”
The smile that lights his face is brighter than the sun. He leans down and kisses me again, sealing our promise.
When we part, I lace my fingers through his and we continue down the trail. The woods are alive with birdsong and dappled sunlight, but my world has narrowed to the man at my side.
I glance up at him, at the joy and affection in his eyes, and smile. My heart is full of a peace and contentment I’ve never known before. Together, I know we can face any challenge and overcome any obstacle. As long as we are together, that is all that matters.
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