Chapter 12 - THE FIRST DATE
Jack asked me to dinner six months after the Maragold Room incident.
Not at an expensive restaurant.
Not in a private suite.
At a small neighborhood place with checkered tablecloths and homemade pasta.
I arrived wearing the red dress.
Jack stood when he saw me.
For a moment, he simply looked at me.
Then smiled.
“You look beautiful.”
I felt my cheeks warm.
“Thank you.”
He pulled out my chair.
I laughed.
“You don't have to do that.”
“I know.”
He smiled.
“I want to.”
We ordered pasta.
Talked about Noah.
About my classes.
About Jack's childhood.
He told me about his father.
The expectations.
The violence.
The way power had become the only language he knew.
I listened.
But I didn't excuse him.
At one point, he looked at me.
“Do you think someone like me deserves a second chance?”
I considered.
“I think people can change.”
He waited.
“But I don't think wanting to change is the same as doing it.”
Jack nodded.
“Fair.”
I smiled.
“And I don't want to be someone's redemption story.”
He looked at me.
“You aren't.”
“Good.”
He reached across the table.
“May I hold your hand?”
I looked at him.
Then placed my hand in his.
May you like
For the first time in years, being touched didn't make me want to disappear.
It made me feel seen.
