Chapter 10 - THE FIRST DATE WITHOUT FEAR
Vincent arrived at the café ten minutes early.
He wore a dark sweater and jeans.
No suit.
No entourage.
No intimidating entrance.
Fay almost didn't recognize him.
She smiled.
“You look different.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow.
“Better or worse?”
“Less terrifying.”
He laughed.
“I'll take that as a compliment.”
They ordered coffee.
Sat near the window.
And talked.
Really talked.
Fay told him about her mother.
Her childhood.
Her love of gardening.
How she'd once wanted to become a nurse.
Vincent listened.
“Why didn't you?”
Fay looked down.
“Money.”
He nodded.
“And then my mother got sick.”
Silence.
Vincent studied her.
“Would you still want to?”
Fay smiled sadly.
“Maybe someday.”
He nodded.
“Then I hope someday comes.”
She looked at him.
“You're not going to offer to pay for everything?”
Vincent smiled faintly.
“I considered it.”
Fay laughed.
“Of course you did.”
He continued.
“But I suspect you'd throw your coffee at me.”
She grinned.
“Probably.”
Vincent laughed.
Then grew serious.
“Fay, I want you to know something.”
She waited.
“I don't expect anything from you because I helped after Donovan hurt you.”
Her expression softened.
“I know.”
He shook his head.
“No. I need to say it.”
He looked directly at her.
“You don't owe me your time. Your affection. Your gratitude. Anything.”
Fay's eyes filled.
Vincent continued.
“If we spend time together, it should be because you want to.”
She studied him.
Then smiled.
“I do.”
He blinked.
“You do?”
She laughed.
“Yes, Vincent.”
May you like
For the first time, she used his name without fear.
And the smile that crossed his face was unlike anything she'd seen before.
