Chapter 13
Amber
The food is amazing, the room even more so, but Daniel is where all of my focus is. I don’t think I’ve ever met a more charming or kind person, who also has the kind of character and integrity I’ve always looked for in a man.
I feel like he likes me too, although I guess a person can never be sure unless they just flat-out ask. I’m not very good at being confrontational like that, but I think I’m going to need to if he’s going to continue to cater to me like this. I don’t want to lose my heart and end up thinking that we’re more than what we are.
I savor the last bite of food and then set my fork down and take a breath.
“I have to admit something,” I say. I try to raise my eyes from my plate, and I am able to meet his tentatively.
“Okay. That sounds serious,” he says. He finished a while ago and has put his plate and fork aside. I know dessert is coming soon, and maybe this is a bad time, but I just feel like it’s important for me to say where I stand.
“It’s not really serious. I’ve been having such a great time with you, and you’ve been so sweet and funny and helpful and...just perfect.”
“Well, that’s good. I’ve been aiming for all that. It’s nice to know I hit the mark.”
“That’s just it. I don’t know why.”
He seems taken aback by my statement. Surely he wants to know where this relationship is going too? Or maybe men don’t care about those things. Or maybe he just assumed I knew.
“Is it terrible that I want to be nice to someone that needed some help?”
“Is that all this is?” I ask, and then I flatten my lips. “I don’t want to push you, but this feels like more to me, and I don’t want to make the wrong assumptions. That’s going to get me hurt.”
“The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”
“I knew you wouldn’t do it on purpose. I just know that’s the kind of person you are. But that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t happen.”
“True. Then I should be upfront with you. I’ve never taken anyone up here before. And I don’t usually hang out, helping where I’m not asked.” He seems to take a breath, like maybe he has some things he needs to say. “I like you. I like you a lot. From the first time you said that you didn’t want me to get in trouble by not doing my job, even though I knew that you needed help and would have been better off if you’d just gotten my help without question. Your consideration for me drew me in. And I knew you were different than most people I know. I... I’m looking for someone like that to have a serious, marriage-minded relationship with. And I guess that’s as flat-out honest as I can be about my intentions, if that’s what you’re asking.”