“I’m sorry about the accident…that’s terrible.”
“It’s alright,” he said. “It’s been a few years now.” He placed another piece of sushi into his mouth. “Do you have family in the city?” He didn’t ask about my romantic situation and kept our meeting friendly. We talked about work, school, and family. Even though he was just a stranger, he started to feel like a friend by the time we finished dinner.
“No. My brother passed away almost a year ago. My parents have been gone for a while. I’m all that’s left…” I tried to dissipate the sadness by drinking my sake and avoiding the sadness in his gaze.
Even when he wore a pitiful gaze, he was still hot. “Looks like we’re in the same boat. I don’t have any siblings. I never knew my grandparents because they never approved of my father being gay. And my other grandparents both died young. So…I’m all that’s left.”
“I guess it makes me feel better knowing I’m not the only one.”
“And when you have your own family, you’ll never feel that way again.”
I’d always wanted children, but I pictured having them with Conway. I pictured them having Barsetti looks and strength. With olive skin and beautiful eyes, whether they were boys or girls, it didn’t matter. They would be gorgeous.
When I realized I was thinking about Conway, for the tenth time during dinner, I forced myself to stop.
“So, I’m just asking as a friend…what’s your romantic situation?” He held his chopsticks in his fingers but didn’t take another bite. His blue eyes were on me, watching every move I made. He had the same intensity as Conway, looking at me like I was all that mattered.
I decided to be honest—and blunt. “I’m madly in love with a man…but he doesn’t feel the same way.” It hurt just as much to say it out loud as it did to say it in my head. But I felt good telling Nox the truth. I didn’t want him to waste his time. Most men would be turned off by that confession, and they had every right to be.
But Nox didn’t blink. “So, he’s a douchebag.”
I chuckled because I hadn’t expected him to say that. “No…he’s a good man. He just doesn’t want the same things I want.”
“And what do you want?”
I didn’t just want marriage, kids, and a happily ever after. “Forever.”
His eyes softened. “And this douchebag doesn’t want to spend forever with a sweet and gorgeous model? He really thinks there’s something better out there?”
“Don’t call him that,” I said quietly. I was loyal to Conway, even now. I couldn’t stand to hear anyone talk badly about him. He might have broken my heart, but he was a good man. “He’s a lingerie designer, so he always has beautiful women who want him.”
“Ooh…” He nodded his head slowly. “Conway Barsetti. I think I remember seeing something on TV about you guys. Forgot about it until now.”
“Yeah…”
“I don’t think it matters how successful or rich he is. You’re still out of his league—and that’s my professional opinion.”
I smiled. “That’s a sweet thing to say.”
“And thanks for being honest with me. That’s really cool of you.”
“Like I said, I don’t want you to waste your time.”
“Waste my time?” he asked. “I’m a patient guy. I don’t mind being on the waitlist for a while.”
“Waitlist?” I asked.
“Yeah. Eventually, you’re going to be ready to start dating. And I’d rather make sure I’m the first name you think of instead of moving on with my life. We can be friends in the meantime. So, basically, I’m wait-listed. Once this guy is out of your head, I’ll be the first in line.”
“That’s really sweet. But honestly, you’re out of my league.”
He chuckled like I made a joke.
“I’m serious. You could find some other super awesome woman.”
He shook his head. “I’ve been in the dating game for a while now. There’s not a lot out there, unfortunately. You’re the first woman I’ve spent any time with and actually had a nice connection with. It’s easy to talk to you. You’re down-to-earth and real. Most people only show the image of themselves they want you to see…but you show everything. It’s refreshing.”
“Thanks…”
“I was engaged a few years ago. She was fooling around with my best friend. I had no idea. A few weeks before the wedding, she told me she wanted to be with him instead of me, and that was it. Haven’t spoken to either one of them since.”
“Wow… I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t feel bad for me,” he said with a smile. “I’m glad we didn’t get married and she just kept fooling around on me. It hurt at the time, but whatever. It’s in the past now. I was heartbroken for a while. I really thought I was going to spend my life with this woman. And the betrayal of my best friend hurt just as much.”