you want?”
“I don’t want the man I asked to leave back.” That’s the absolute truth. I’m never going to let myself be worthless in someone else’s eyes.
There’s a definite gleam of relief in David’s eyes. “Then why are you so distracted?”
“Well…” I begin, and then figure I need a sip of wine for fortification first. After swallowing, I say, “Jim has indicated he’s going to fight for me.”
David frowns. “What does that even mean?”
I shrug. “I have no clue. But I think he thinks it’s a competition with you.”
“Because you and I are dating,” David muses, tapping his fingers on the table.
“This is weird,” I blurt out, screwing my face up. “It’s weird, right?”
To his credit, David doesn’t say it’s weird. Chuckling, he admits, “I’ve never dated a woman who was separated before. So, this is new territory for me.”
“It’s new for me, too,” I murmur, taking another sip of wine.
“What did you tell him?” David asks, and I actually choke on the sip I took.
My eyes water as I cough, managing to set my wine down before I spill it. Inhaling, I ask, “What do you mean by what did I tell him?”
David’s expression says he knows I’m not that obtuse. His question is legit. He just stares with one eyebrow cocked. He does have the nicest blue eyes.
“I didn’t say anything,” I finally admit.
“Didn’t tell him you welcomed him trying to win you back?” David suggests.
“Nope.”
“Didn’t tell him that you didn’t want him to try?” he presses.
“No,” I admit a little guiltily.
“Gave him no indication at all what you were feeling?” he asks pointedly.
I shake my head. “I guess I was just shocked.”
“Shocked he wants to make a go of it? Or shocked by something else?”
It’s almost like David’s a little too perceptive, and I know I can’t keep details from him. Not if we’re going to continue to see each other.
I cross my arms on the table, leaning inward a bit. My eyes lock onto his. “He kissed me yesterday. I guess he wanted to prove there was still something between us. And he said he was not afraid to go head to head with you to win me back.”
David’s lips press flat, and he nods with understanding. “A competition, huh? And you’re the prize?”
“It’s so stupid,” I assure him.
“Is it really?” he asks in a low voice. “You have a lot of history with him. A daughter. Why wouldn’t you give him a chance?”
I lift my chin, not letting my gaze waver. “Because, honestly, I don’t think he can make me happy. I don’t think he knows what I want and even if he did, I doubt he has the ability to give it to me.”
“Then tell him not to bother,” David suggests, but it’s more than a suggestion. He’s deftly pushed me into this corner where I’ve said I don’t believe in Jim. David is probably right… I should dissuade my husband from even trying.
“You and I seem to have something good,” I say softly.
David nods, reaching out across the table and I easily put my hand in his. “I think so.”
My gaze moves down to my hand in his. It’s a nice hand. Strong. Sure. Comforting.
“But,” I continue, bringing my gaze up. “I wonder…”
“If he could be what you want?” he finishes for me.
“I’m pretty sure he can’t.” I shake my head in consternation. “But there’s that tiny part that just wonders. And, like you said, we have history.”
Much to my surprise, David doesn’t pull away. Instead, he squeezes my hand. “It sounds like I still have a shot then.”
My eyebrows shoot up, my eyes flaring with surprise. “You’d want to keep seeing me? Even if my husband tries to pursue me?”
“Well,” he drawls with a grin. “You don’t seem confident he can do it. Seems like the odds are in my favor, right?”
I frown, confused by his response. I thought he’d graciously call us quits. “So you want to continue to date me, but you’re okay if I date my husband?”
The look I get is a bit censuring. “No, that’s not what I said. But, for now, he hasn’t asked you out. He’s only made some big talk. It’s not like he’s done anything to concern me.”
My gaze drops guiltily, and I tug my hand free. “Actually… when he kissed me, it was…”
I don’t know what it was, but I felt it everywhere. I can’t say that to David, because then he’ll want to know if his kisses make me feel that way…