Chapter 26

On Valentine's Day,Dan shifted uncomfortably in his seat at the upscale Missoula restaurant, an elegant establishment known for its exquisite cuisine and extensive wine list. He glanced around at the soft lighting, the fine linens, and the other diners engaged in muted conversation. Despite the luxurious ambiance, a sense of awkwardness clung to him like a poorly fitted suit. Across the table, Emma"s eyes sparkled with a warmth that outshone the room"s refined decor, her presence a reminder of why he was here.

Over the weeks after her father's death, they'd spent every waking minute they weren't working, together. Whether enjoying family time, volunteering at the shelter, or training at the gym, Emma's presence in his life gave him joy and delight.

As the waiter presented them with a wine list, Dan felt a twinge of intimidation. The names rolled off the waiter"s tongue with an ease that Dan couldn"t match. He took a sip of the recommended vintage, the rich flavor a pleasant surprise. He glanced at the menu, the courses described in terms as foreign to him as another language. Still, for Emma, he was willing to navigate this unfamiliar world.

The food arrived, each dish a carefully crafted masterpiece. Dan admitted, mostly to himself, that it tasted incredible. He looked across the table at Emma, her beauty and grace overshadowing the restaurant"s allure. "You know," he started, his voice carrying a mix of humor and vulnerability, "I feel like I"ve stepped into another world here, like I"m reaching for stars that are a bit beyond my grasp."

Emma listened, her gaze never wavering from his. "Dan," she said softly, her voice a soothing balm to his unease, "I don"t care if you can"t tell a filet knife from a butter knife. You"re loyal, strong, and compassionate. You excel at your job." She leaned forward, her eyes alight with affection, and whispered, "And you"re an amazing lover."

Her words sent a laugh bubbling up from within him, the tension dissipating like a short circuit in his mind, quickly identified and smoothly rectified.

His laughter faded into a contented smile as he settled into the moment, the exquisite food now a pleasure rather than a challenge. But as they were enjoying their meal, a familiar woman with bleach-blonde hair approached their table. Her sneer was a stark contrast to the pleasant evening, a jarring note in the symphony of their night out. Dan"s newfound comfort faltered, a ripple of unease passing through him as he prepared to face this unexpected and unwelcome ghost from his past.

* * *

Emma noticed the change in Dan instantly. The relaxed atmosphere around them fractured as a woman with unnaturally pale hair and a face stiffened by too many Botox treatments approached their table. Her sneer was palpable, the disdain in her voice like acid as she addressed Dan. "I didn"t know people like you were allowed in here."

Dan"s body tensed, a coil wound too tight, ready to snap. Emma"s own muscles stiffened in response, her mind racing.

"Hello, Michaela," Dan replied, his voice steady but strained.

Emma"s mind clicked. Michaela. The ex-girlfriend. A storm of recognition and understanding passed over her as she pieced together the stories Dan had shared, the hurt and betrayal lurking in the background. "Ah, the ex-girlfriend. Although with a friend like you a person doesn"t need enemies," Emma remarked, her voice cool and even.

Michaela"s icy glare shifted to Emma. "Who might you be?" she spat, contempt dripping from each word.

Emma felt the sting of the comment but let it slide off her like water on wax. "I don"t care what you think. You don"t know me. Hell, you don"t even know Dan. But hey, your loss is my gain. Now scamper off, you"re drawing attention," she said with a dismissive flick of her hand, turning her attention back to her beef wellington.

But Michaela wasn"t done. She raised her voice, complaining loudly about the quality of patrons, her words a blight on the refined atmosphere.

"Mon Dieu, vous plaisantez," a familiar voice complained. From three tables away, Elena stood, her French accent adding a sharp edge to her words. "Foolish woman, go bother someone else. Dan is one of the most talented craftsmen in this town."

"Hear, hear," came a voice from another table. A man in a three-piece suit rose, nodding toward Elena. "What she said. He"s also a volunteer at the animal shelter and a respected trainer at Hawthorne Kickboxing Gym. Dan Carter is a good and loyal man."

"That"s right." Another voice joined, this one from a man who"d been sitting with his back to them. He half-turned, and Emma recognized him as one of her father"s old friends. "He"s also together with Dr. Emma Sullivan, who is a good judge of character. Please leave, Mrs. Sinclair, or is it Ms. Applegate again? I can"t keep up with the marriages and divorces, since your men seem to last about as long as women"s fashion."

The restaurant fell into a silence, all eyes on Michaela, whose face cycled through different shades of anger and embarrassment without showing any expression. Her mouth opened and closed, no words coming out, before she turned on her heel and rushed out, the click of her high heels a sharp retreat in the quiet.

Emma turned back to Dan, her eyes softening. "Are you okay?" she asked, reaching for his hand across the table.

* * *

As Dan sat there, momentarily frozen, the clamor of support washed over him like a healing wave. His eyes widened, a silent witness to the unexpected chorus of voices rising in his defense. The usual tightness in his shoulders, the ever-present readiness for confrontation, melted away under the warmth of communal respect.

He glanced around, his gaze lingering on each defender. Elena, with her fiery spirit; the distinguished gentleman in the three-piece suit, a pillar of the community; and one of Emma"s father"s old friends, a man of standing and integrity. Their words, so full of conviction, filled the air like a tangible force, wrapping around him in a cloak of validation.

Dan turned to Emma, her eyes alight with a fierce pride. In her gaze, he saw not just the love and partnership they shared, but a reflection of the man he had become, the man she always saw. It was a profound realization, a sudden understanding that he was worthy, not just in her eyes, but in the eyes of those around him.

His voice, when he finally spoke, carried a new weight, a timbre of deep-seated confidence. "Never been better, Sparks." He smiled, a genuine, unguarded smile that reached his eyes and softened the lines of his face. As he turned to his meal, the simple act of eating took on a new meaning. Each bite was a celebration, a small victory in the face of past doubts.

The restaurant returned to its gentle hum, the soft music and quiet chatter a backdrop to Dan"s newfound sense of belonging. The clink of utensils against China was no longer just a part of the ambiance but a symphony of normalcy, a sign that life would go on, filled with support and love. In that moment, Dan savored the taste of acceptance and the sweet flavor of self-worth, a dish he"d never truly enjoyed before.