“I’d like the margarita chicken, please.”
“Good choice,” he growls, assuaged. “That’s more like it.”
The service at the restaurant is wonderful, and it isn’t long before we both have our food. It isn’t lost on me that Jack never returns his chair to the other side of the table. Instead, he remains sitting close enough such that our knees are constantly touching under the table, but I don’t mind. Something about his presence comforts me and I like having his huge body at my side. It makes me feel at home even here, in this fancy restaurant in a town I don’t really know.
We’re quiet while we eat, but this is a date and I want to get to know him better. “So, what made you go into construction?” I ask in a soft voice. “I mean, obviously it was a smart choice. I think you’re the richest person in the state or something like that, right?”
He laughs, amused.
“I’ve done well with my business, but money isn’t everything, sweetheart, and it certainly wasn’t why I started my company. I just wanted to build homes for people because a home is a place that brings a family together,” he says. Then, he looks off in the distance and smiles ruefully. “Well, at least that’s what they do for the right family.” He shakes his head. “Anyways, I wanted to be the person who helps make that happen for others.”
Something in Jack’s eyes seems sad when he looks at me, even though he’s smiling. I reach for his hand, and he accepts, lacing our fingers together. I can’t believe that this beautiful man isn’t taken. “That’s amazing, Jack. You have a good heart, and anyone would be lucky to call you family.”
He smiles again ruefully. “Yeah, well, my ex-wife Priscilla didn’t agree. I never wanted the big house where I live now. I built that for her, kind of like what that Mughal emperor did with the Taj Mahal, except in my case, it didn’t work. I was trying to make Priscilla happy, but you can’t force anyone into wanting to be a part of something that they don’t want.”
I frown. I know he was married before to Eddie’s mom, but I never knew why she left. It wasn’t something my ex ever talked about, probably because it brought back bad memories.
But I take a deep breath and smile.
“If you don’t like your home, then you should move, Jack. Or build yourself a place that makes you feel happy. Somewhere you feel comfortable.”
He leans over and gives me a chaste kiss, and he’s smiling when he pulls back. “If only it were so simple, sweetheart.”
I cock my head at him.
“I don’t know. It just seems like if you aren’t happy, you should change the things that are keeping you from finding your happiness.”
He sighs and shakes his head.
“Well, there’s more to it than that, but I don’t want to bring down this conversation sweetheart. Maybe another time, but for now, let’s stick to lighter subjects. What about you? How is it working out, living with your mom? Doesn’t it get awkward?”
Now it’s my turn to sigh.
“I’m just living with Denise until I finish my associate’s degree, and it’s not bad because our house is huge and there’s only two of us. So actually, we barely see each other anymore. To be honest, I think my mother is avoiding me. At least before, I’d run into her in the kitchen sometimes, but now, she’s never around. It doesn’t bother me though. It’s fine, and once I get my feet beneath me, I’ll move out.”
He grins.
“Well, I’m glad your mom isn’t in your hair. That must be a relief. But sweetheart, I meant the question in broader terms: what would make you happy?”
“Oh,” I giggle, suddenly flustered. “That’s such a huge question, and I’m not sure I have an answer. I mean, I haven’t decided what I want to do. I’d love to find something where I can help people.” I smile. “That’s a really general statement, I know. But I mean, kind of like how you started Straithmore Construction to give families homes. You wanted to do something that benefitted others, and I’d like to find something like that to do, too.”
Jack pushes my hair behind my ear and presses his hand against my cheek, and I lean into his touch. “You are a beautiful person, Dakota. You know that?”
I smile and bite my lip.
“Thank you. I just wish I had a bit more direction. Right now, I’m speaking in generalities and there’s no way to carry out my dreams because I don’t even really know what my dreams are!”
But Jack isn’t bothered. He merely gives my hand a squeeze.
“Not many people know what they want when they’re your age, honey. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”