Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO ASK
Six months after Faith moved out, I invited her to dinner.
Not at the mansion.
Not at a private club.
At a small Italian restaurant near the river.
She arrived wearing a blue dress and a nervous smile.
I stood beside the table using a cane.
She stopped.
“Dominic.”
I grinned.
“Don't look so surprised.”
She laughed.
“I'm impressed.”
“It's a short distance from the car.”
“Still.”
I pulled out her chair.
She sat.
We ordered pasta.
Talked about school.
Her work.
My rehabilitation.
The changes in my businesses.
Then I looked at her.
“Faith.”
“Yes?”
“Would you consider this a date?”
She smiled.
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether you're going to spend the entire evening talking about yourself.”
I laughed.
“I'll try not to.”
She studied me.
Then nodded.
“Then yes.”
My heart jumped.
For years, I had been surrounded by women who wanted my money, my protection, or my name.
Faith wanted none of those things.
She wanted honesty.
Respect.
And a man willing to listen.
May you like
I wasn't sure I deserved her.
But I knew I wanted to become someone who could love her without controlling her.
