only that, he wants me to help him pick out an outfit so he can turn heads. But I refuse to set him up with anyone if he’s chasing after my brother.”
“It will all work out the way it’s supposed to, now tell me about your office.”
“It’s almost perfect. All it needs is a picture of you. Would you mind?”
“I don’t mind, but people might wonder why you have my picture on your desk. Those who don’t know we’re dating might find it odd.”
I think about it for a moment and realize he’s got a point. Workplace romances should be kept out of the workplace. I’ll settle for a picture of him next to my bed.
I show up early to dinner with Rose and get us a table at the Greek restaurant she picked out.
“Sorry I’m late, Katarina. I had a tough case today. It’s heartbreaking when you have to tell a parent their child is terminal, and they have little time.” She flags the waiter over and orders a glass of wine.
“I’m so sorry. It would be hard under any circumstances, but given that you’ve been through it yourself, I bet it’s near impossible.”
Rose takes the wine before it hits the table. “It’s never easy, but since I’ve lived through it, I have a great deal of empathy.” She drinks and exhales the stress of her day. “I know what they’re feeling because I’ve done it twice. Simon passed away when the boys were twelve and fourteen. It was a difficult time. Roman passed eight years later.”
“Damon told me about Simon. He has fond memories of his father.” Remembering the tree house and carved letters, I tell her about visiting their old home. “He took me to the tree house they built a few weeks ago.”
Rose’s eyes soften. “I’m glad he’s sharing things with someone. You’re good for him.”
“He’s good for me too.”
“He cares for you, Katarina. I can see it in his eyes. I haven’t seen him look at anyone that way since Mara.”
The mention of Mara throws me off balance. I sip my wine and collect my thoughts. “I don’t know much about Mara, but I walked into his office one day while he argued with her on the phone.”
Rose stays silent for several minutes. “I don’t know what happened between them. Everything seemed to fall apart at once.” She sighs. “His brother got sick, his relationship broke apart … it was too much for him to handle, I guess. He’s never been the same since.” Her brow furrows. “I’m surprised he’s talking to Mara again.”
“I think it was just the one phone call, but I don’t know.” Looking down at the table, I ask, “Was Roman sick for a long time? Watching someone you love fade away has to be hard.”
“No, it came as a shock to us. We didn’t know he was sick. One day he came down with flu-like symptoms, and a month later, he died.” She purses her lips. “Roman and Damon struggled with their relationship before Roman got sick. I don’t think they reconciled, and Damon carries that burden with him.”
Rose and I talk during dinner. She tells me how she wants to take me to the Getty Museum to see the impressionist exhibition. That she loves visiting wineries throughout California and has a large collection in her cellar. Also, she discusses how she works too much and plays too little. But mostly, we talk about Damon.
“I’m glad we had this time to ourselves. Damon is a good man, Katarina. With you, he is less serious, he smiles more, and he laughs more. I like what I see when he’s with you.”
“Thanks, Rose. I love your son, but I’m not sure he’s capable of returning that love.”
Rose scrunches her lips, then shakes her head. “Nonsense. Everyone is capable of love. Damon was always a loving boy. You need to figure out how to break into his heart. Honestly, I think you already did, but he’s not ready to admit it.”
Rose and I part ways with a promise to visit the Getty soon. Thirty minutes later, I reach Damon’s house and key in 0615 to open the gate.
He materializes in the doorway as I drive forward.
“Hey, sexy man. I brought you a little Greek for dinner,” I say when I get out of the car. “Are you interested?”
“Is her name Katarina?”
I lift the to-go container. “I brought you lamb kabobs and Greek salad with a side of me. Will that do?”
“I suppose it’ll