Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

December 13 th

6:58 P.M.

For some reason, it felt like he’d been waiting a lifetime for this moment.

Luckily, Donovan was a go-with-the-flow kind of guy because if he wasn't, he’d be wondering why he was so obsessed with a woman he’d only known for almost two weeks. As it was, he was willing to just go with it, the scorching attraction was just begging to grow into something more, and tonight was his chance to show Jessica that they could build something amazing.

He was sure they could.

Fairytales came true every single day, he’d witnessed enough of them firsthand to know. Sometimes, that fairytale wasn't falling in love. Sometimes, it was being given a safe home to live in, or a year’s supply of groceries, or a job where you could be independent and support yourself. Starting his charity had been one of the best decisions he’d ever made, and now as he walked up the short path toward the bright red front door, he couldn’t help but wonder if he was about to make another .

Right on time, he knocked on Jessica’s front door ready to take her out on the first of what he hoped would be many dates. Tonight had to be special, though, because Jessica was special. She wasn't just some woman looking to get him into bed because he was rich, hell, she’d known who he was from day one, and it had taken her almost two weeks just to agree to give him a chance.

“No messing this up,” he murmured aloud, a split second before the door was opened and his mouth fell open in shock.

So far, he’d only seen cop Jessica. At work she wore simple black pants, a blouse, and a sweater, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, or twisted into a bun.

Tonight, she had physically and metaphorically let her hair down.

Hanging in soft waves around her face, she’d gone simple with the makeup but the sexy red lipstick made it almost impossible not to lean down and kiss her. Dark blue jeans molded to her toned legs, just like the green sweater—that perfectly matched her gorgeous eyes—molded to her chest, showing off her perky set of breasts.

She was stunning.

Stepped off the page of a magazine stunning.

“You didn't say where we were going. Is this okay to wear?” Jessica asked nervously, and only then did he realize he’d been staring at her without saying anything.

“You look perfect,” he assured her. He’d given where he was going to take her tonight serious thought. There was his mom’s restaurant, but he didn't want his mother hovering over them all night. There was a fancy restaurant but that wasn't really his style. He’d been ten when his mom married his stepdad. He hadn't grown up in the land of the rich and was not a fan of any place he had to wear a suit, or worse, a tux. So, he’d settled on a little Mexican restaurant his family used to go to the occasional time they ate out for a birthday treat when he was young.

“Good,” she said, relief evident in her tone. “I wasn't sure if you expected a formal dress.”

“Nope, I'm not really that guy unless I have to be.” If it were any other woman, he probably would have taken her to the fancy restaurant, but he wanted Jessica to know the real him, not just the wealthy investment banker most people saw him as. “These are for you. ”

“More flowers,” she said with a smile as she took the bouquet.

“Gotta keep up my streak,” he said with a wink.

After she’d set the bouquet on a small table by the door, she followed him out into the cool night and down to his car. Of course, he held the door open for her, his mother would never let him hear the end of it if he didn't use his manners, then once they were both settled, he started driving.

“So, it’s been a really long time since I did the whole get to know you thing,” Jessica told him, fidgeting nervously.

“Red,” he said immediately. “My favorite color.”

“Actually, mine’s also red,” she said. “Fudge. Favorite food.”

“Ooh, that’s a tough one given how good my mom is at cooking. If I had to pick just one, I'd have to go with her homemade tacos. Fall.”

“Winter. I know, I know, everyone always hates winter,” she added when he made a face. “But I love the snow. Even when we’re still getting it in April.”

For the rest of the drive, they went back and forth, sharing their favorite TV shows, books, music, vacation destinations, and sports. By the time they reached the restaurant, Donovan knew more about her than any other woman he’d ever taken out for a meal combined.

They’d meant nothing to him, but fate was telling him this woman could wind up meaning everything to him. He’d talked through this all with his family, his brothers thought he was crazy being willing to just jump all in, but his mom and sister—romantics that they were—got it. Even his stepfather had been encouraging.

“Mexican food?” Jessica asked when they pulled into the parking lot, sounding a little surprised.

“My favorite. Actually, this restaurant holds a lot of special memories for me. After my sperm donor left—I call him that because I don’t even remember him and he left my mom with an infant, a one-year-old, a two-year-old, and a three-year-old to raise alone—things were tight. Really tight. We lived in a two-bedroom apartment, my mom and us four kids, we got all our clothes second-hand from thrift stores. More times than I'm sure I realize, my mom went hungry so us kids could eat something. She made sure we knew we were loved, she was firm but loving, and we all helped however we could. No matter how tough times were, every single birthday, Mom would bring us here for a special treat. I used to love those nights, and I thought I'd share this place with you.”

The smile she shone on him told him he’d made the right choice.

Life could change in an instant, he’d learned that as a kid, going from poverty to luxury almost overnight. That had taught him to live in the moment, to not give voice to all the worries and what ifs, which was how he was able to jump all in with this woman regardless of the fact that they’d just met, and he had no idea what the future held for them.