Chapter 6 #2
I chuckled. “I’m down for it anytime you are.”
Diccon sighed happily, then pushed himself up to sit. “Maybe next time we could, uh, try that room over there.” He nodded to the open door of my bedroom.
Next time. Diccon wanted a next time. A next time that involved more than shenanigans on the couch. “I’d love that,” I said, sounding far sappier than I’d intended. I felt too good not to sound like a lovesick fool, though.
“I’m just going to use your bathroom and clean up,” Diccon said, lowering himself to kiss my lips, then standing with a lazy grin.
I watched him all the way until he disappeared into the bathroom. Then I closed my eyes and sighed. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be building something with a man like Diccon.
I got up and headed into the kitchen to clean up as best I could. Really, I needed a shower, but that could wait until after Diccon left. He probably would leave, since this was technically a first date and not a sleepover type arrangement. I wouldn’t say no if he wanted to stay the night, though.
In the kitchen, I helped myself to a glass of water and took down a second glass in case Diccon wanted one, too.
I heard him come out of the bathroom, but he didn’t make it all the way to the kitchen as I tidied up a few things and checked to see whether I had any snacks to offer him.
Anything to get him to stay just a little longer.
Diccon stayed in the main room for so long a pinch of worry hit me. I left what I was doing and wandered into the living room to see what was going on.
I stopped dead and my gut tightened when I saw Diccon standing by the dining table, looking at the plans for the Jameson Industries project that I’d brought home earlier and had laid out, waiting for my attention. He wore a frown that couldn’t be good news.
“What’s this?” he asked as I approached the table, hands already feeling clammy.
“That? It’s just a project I’m working on,” I said, confused about the sudden seriousness of Diccon’s expression.
He stared at the plans for a few seconds longer, then looked up at me without any of his usual sunshine. “You’re working on the expansion next to Common Grounds?”
A whole lot of dots suddenly connected in a way that made me feel vaguely sick. “Yeah,” I said. “I’m the chief architect of the project. I mentioned it at supper earlier.”
Diccon straightened, far too tense for my liking. “You mentioned a project. You didn’t mention that it’s the monstrosity going up right next to the café.”
I flinched at having a project I was proud of called a monstrosity. “I’ve worked hard on this,” I said. “The expansion is designed to fit right in with the existing businesses, including yours. It’ll bring in a lot of new customers.”
“If we survive the construction process,” Diccon said, something new in his voice that I’d never heard, anger.
“You don’t understand. The build won’t touch on any of the existing building in any sort of dangerous way,” I said, confused about why he didn’t think this was a good thing.
Diccon’s reaction was far stronger than I was expecting. “I don’t understand? Because I’m too uneducated to know about anything?”
“That’s not what I meant at all.”
“I know they’ll have to close the street down during construction,” Diccon said.
“I know there will be dirt and noise everywhere. I don’t need some fancy architectural degree to know that.
People come into Common Grounds for a bit of peace and community.
This is going to wreck the whole thing. And that’s assuming they can even get to the café to begin with. ”
I sucked in a breath as I realized the angle Diccon was looking at the project from. “Construction is temporary,” I explained. “Once it’s done—”
“Why didn’t you tell me about this?” Diccon demanded, stepping away from the table. “If you’ve been a part of this project since day one, why didn’t you come right out and tell me from the beginning? Or did you think I wouldn’t understand?”
“I—” I blinked and took a step back at the force of his upset.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure why I hadn’t told him.
It didn’t seem that important to me. It certainly wasn’t because I didn’t think he’d grasp everything, although I could see I’d hit a big nerve.
The building process was someone else’s realm, and it wouldn’t last that long.
“I maybe tried to mention it at some point, but it didn’t seem that important. ”
“Not important?” Diccon huffed a humorless laugh, his movements turning jerky and frantic.
It was a side of him I hadn’t seen before, and everything within me wanted to do something about it.
“This is my family business, Theo.” He gestured to the table.
“This is our community, the special thing we’ve built over years. ”
“And it will survive,” I assured him. “The construction team is top-notch. I’m sure they’ll do their best to minimize interruption and to get things done on time.”
“But what if they don’t?” Diccon shoved a hand through his hair, and I was certain he was imagining the worst-case scenario. “What if this is the end of Common Grounds?”
“I get your concerns,” I said, stepping closer to him, not wanting to dismiss his worries outright.
“I’m not sure you do,” Diccon said, avoiding me when I got close enough. “This is my life. The café means everything to me.”
“I get that,” I said. “And the café will be fine. Trust me.”
Diccon stared at me for a long moment, then shook his head and walked past me to pick up his shirt from the floor. “I have to go,” he said, putting his shirt on, then looking around for his wallet and keys, which he’d taken out of his pocket before we’d hit the couch.
“Diccon,” I appealed to him, too stunned by everything that had been so good just moments before falling apart so fast.
“I’m sorry,” he said, heading for the door, “but this is just a lot to take in. I didn’t expect you, of all people—”
He didn’t finish his sentence. He paused with his hand on the door handle, glancing back at me like he was trying to find a reason not to judge me.
“Everything will be fine,” I said, really hoping that was true.
Finally, Diccon blew out a breath. “I hope so,” he said, then pulled open the door and left my apartment.
I stood there, stunned, as I listened to his feet retreat down the stairs, no idea how things between us had changed so fast. It was the best date I’d ever had, and it had even ended gloriously. Until it hadn’t. I had no idea how I could explain things to Diccon to ease his mind.
I had no idea how to keep him from breaking up with me before we’d even gotten started.