the raucous laughter of a bunch of college kids sitting at outdoor tables at an upmarket bar frequently punctuated the peace.
None of it mattered, because sitting next to Manny on this bench, his shoulder touching hers, his knee occasionally grazing hers, the scent of his crisp cologne wafting toward her on the breeze, officially made this the most romantic night of her life.
She knew it was him more than anything. His generosity in offering to come to her aid again, his ability to make her laugh, his way of looking at her that made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.
Crazy and delusional, because she could never be that for him, but for tonight, in this gorgeous city, with the moon reflecting in the water’s gently rippling surface, it was okay for her to have stars in her eyes.
“Tell me about your job,” she said, needing a hard dose of reality before she clambered on his lap and kissed him.
“That’s a date damper if ever I heard one.”
“But we’re not on a date.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” He opened his mouth in an exaggerated yawn, stretched his arm, then draped it across the back of the bench, resting lightly on her shoulders. “See? Date.”
“That’s the oldest, corniest move ever,” she said, laughing at his mock outrage.
“I’ll have you know it worked for Danny Zuko in Grease.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You’ve seen Grease?”
“Hasn’t everyone?”
“It’s an oldie but a goodie.”
“I’ve also seen Pretty Woman, Notting Hill, Sleepless in Seattle, and Dirty Dancing at least twice.”
“You have not.”
“Have too. I’m a metro kind of guy.”
“You’re just trying to impress me.”
“Is it working?”
He had no idea how much. “Guys don’t usually watch old romance flicks unless they’ve been duct-taped to the couch.”
An odd expression akin to sadness flickered across his face before vanishing so quickly she wondered if she’d imagined it. “When I first started med school, I’d often pull all-nighters to cram in the studying I had to do, and sometimes when I staggered out of my room I’d find Mom asleep in front of the TV because she wanted to stay up as long as I did. She loved anything romantic so on a rare night off I’d watch one of her favorite films with her.”
Something inexplicable and altogether terrifying tightened in Harper’s chest, making her want to haul this amazing guy into her arms and never let go.
“I bet she loved that,” she said, not surprised emotion made her voice a tad huskier.
“She did. It’s one of my best memories of her.”
“How old were you when she died?”
“Twenty-five. I’d just qualified.” He turned his head to stare at the water. “Turns out, no matter how good a doctor you are, you can’t save everybody.”
She’d been privy to charming Manny, flirtatious Manny, confident Manny, so hearing him sound so bitter, so broken, humanized him more than anything he could’ve said.
His jaw jutted, and a vein pulsed at his temple as he stared straight ahead, his gaze fixed, like he couldn’t bear looking at her, so she made a segue.
“My parents separated about fourteen months ago, completely out of the blue, and while it’s not as hard as losing one of them, it’s tough.”
Thankfully, his rigid expression eased as he turned to face her. “Sorry to hear that.”
“Thanks. They’d been married thirty-five years and were one of the most committed couples I know, so it was a shock.”
“I bet.” He hesitated, as if unsure how to ask more. “Any particular reason?”
“Not that I know of. I used to have dinner with them every two weeks. Mom cooked a roast; Dad ate as fast as humanly possible before sitting in front of the TV to watch the footy. Then I rock up on this particular Sunday night fourteen months ago, they sit me down like I’m five, and tell me they’re separating. Dad looked shattered, Mom resigned.”
She’d never forget being ambushed by the two people she trusted most. For as long as she could remember, it had been the three Rylands against the world. Her friends had been envious of the bond she’d shared with her folks, and while she’d rebelled in her teens with the usual hanging out too late, attending parties she shouldn’t, and leading Nishi astray, she’d liked knowing she had two people who had her back no matter what.
At the time they’d separated she’d thought it would be temporary. A spat they’d work through, and reunite. Some argument that had escalated to harsh words being exchanged. Both her parents were