Page 38 of His Bride Bargain
I don’t get to say anything else, though, because the waiter returns and lays an enormous pizza between us. My hands are literally shaking with hunger, so I don’t wait for permission to drag three of the huge slices onto my plate. I don’t comment on the wry smile Candice gives me as she watches.
“This looks great,” I say, then cram as much pizza as is polite into my face. Around my mouthful, I groan in delight and say, “Mmm, itisgreat.”
She takes a massive bite too and nods in agreement. Guess she was hungrier than she made out.
We eat in silence for a bit, then I realize what it is that I actually want to say. “I mean it, Candice. I am sorry. I’ve always respected you so much more than you know, and I’m sorry I never showed that properly. I’m sorry I made things harder for you than they needed to be.”
Again, she only nods in reply. This is it, then. This is the patching up of the wounds before we part ways forever. The idea of it makes my eyes prick with tears that I have to fight back because that’s the last thing I want to explain right now. That I love her. Completely and honestly, I love her.
And again, she surprises me. “I think I always knew that. I think I forgive you. I’m tired of being angry about it all. I’m tired of hating you and everything you stand for.”
“Everything?”
She shrugs, and suddenly the mood is light again, like the clouds have parted without warning. Maybe there is something to be said about a release, after all. “I’ve been through phases with it.”
“So, if I were to drop on one knee right now, you’d say…?”
“Don’t push your luck,” she scolds, her eyes shining with tears too. That confession can’t have been easy for her. It wasn’t for me.
“We’ll talk about it later. For now, let’s enjoy a great meal with great company.”
She smiles. “Still pushing your luck, man.”
“What’s wrong with thinking you’re great?” I say, grabbing another slice of pizza. Somehow, it looks like we are going to manage to make it through most of this thing.
All I get in reply is an embarrassed grunt paired with a flush rising in her cheeks. How much of her bravado is masking insecurity and doubt? Even if she doesn’t believe me for saying it, surely she has to know how awesome she is.
I decide against telling her that she looks cute with a pink face like this.
“More pizza?” I say, gesturing at the leftovers. We’ve done good, but four slices still remain. I’ve eaten enough pizza dough to last me at least three more hours, and from the satisfied expression Candice gives me, it’s safe to guess she has too. “But we’ve still got a whole stack of garlic bread.”
“Midnight snack?” she suggests, and I grin maybe a little too hard at the idea of having a moonlit feast with her in our room.
“You’re going to be hungry again by midnight?” I say instead of any of the sappy things I could say about wanting to share every meal with her for the rest of my life, or how great it would be to cuddle up with her in bed and eat pizza and watch movies and fall asleep in each other’s arms.
She shakes her head emphatically. “Right now, I don’t think I’m ever going to be hungry again.”
“Cheers to that,” I say, raising my glass. She clinks it gently with hers, a warm smile spreading over her face. Even in the unkind light, she’s still beautiful. The shadows dance over her skin and make her smile seem deeper than it is, like it’s a smile that could be endless. I want it to be endless.
“Come on,” she says, finishing the last of her drink. “Let’s get the check and a box.”
I pull out my wallet, and she gives me a sharp dagger of a look. “I won’t change my mind,” I say, laying the wallet down on the table. “This is my treat.”
“Hmph,” she responds, then adds, “I don’t need you to treat me.”
Slowly, tentatively, I reach out to take her hands. She tenses as I do, but doesn’t flinch. “I want to. Please let me, Candice. I want to give you anything you want.”
She doesn’t say anything else, just slumps back in her chair, an unreadable pout on her face. “Okay,” she says, finally.
I smile and flag down the waiter to give him my card. He takes it away and leaves us both alone for a perfect moment. I’ve never wanted to freeze time more than this. To capture the pout on her face. The thrill of being us, together.
CHAPTER25
CANDICE
I’m not happy about letting Aiden shoulder the entire bill, but he’s a generous tipper and he is a billionaire, so it’s not like he can’t handle the financial burden. But it is a matter of pride. Next time we go out, I’ll make sure I’m the one who picks up the tab.
Next time! It makes me angry that I’m not upset with him anymore and that I’m excited at the idea of a next time, but Aiden’s been nothing but a gentleman this afternoon. That was what I always used to like about him — his kindness. He only ever treated me like a person, when none of the other interns did, despite the fact he was richer than any of us and could have acted like a complete snob.