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"How would we know?" I asked, sincerely.
"I don't know. I guess I need to know whether this is a relationship that I can safely put my all into."
I sighed. "Dom, I can't give you a guarantee that I'm the one for you. I don't think anyone can take that pressure. No one can predict the future."
He brought his fist down onto the table, but not in an overly harsh way. "Dammit, I wish we could."
"This relationship is scary for me too, Dominic. Look at you. You're established, you're wealthy, you're gorgeous. I'm just starting out. I still get into trouble by putting myself in stupid situations. I don't own anything. What do I have to offer you but myself? Hell, if I piss you off, I lose my job, too."
His eyes softened.
"I guess I never thought about it from your point of view. Thank you for that."
I shifted in my seat. I loved it when I could make a good point in front of a man like this and make him think.
He looked at me, a little more intensely. "Tell me Calla. Do you love me?"
Now I had to shift again, this time uncomfortably. "I think what I feel is the moving toward love."
"What do you think is stopping you?" he asked. "Is there another relationship in your past that is haunting you? Is that why I can't seem to get to the next layer of Calla?"
Why did my heart just start beating faster? Is this what it felt like when you had to expose your heart to someone?
His eyes didn't waver. "Is there, Calla? It's ok if there's someone else."
My eyes dropped.
"There is another relationship that I'm still working through."
"Oh. I'm sorry. But I understand…"
"No, you don't."
I could see him looking at me expectantly.
I took a deep breath. "It's my parents' relationship. I don't think I've ever gotten over their divorce. They loved each other and then they didn't. I don't want to lose the love that I think should or would always be there. And I know I'm closed. My sister tells me all the time." I tried to smile an apologetic smile.
For some reason, he seemed a little relieved. He put his hand on my forearm.
"Hey. It's okay. I'm sorry."
I looked at my bare legs under the table, but realized it was my turn to ask the question.
"And what about you? Do you love me?"
He paused and looked deep into my eyes.
"I think I do, Calla. Yes, I think I do."
I smiled, taken aback by this man professing his love for me. I realized I wasn't quite ready to hear that. After everything I got myself into last night. This gorgeous, amazing, smart and talented man thinks he loves me. Calla. The mess-up.
I leaned forward and kissed him. I felt my eyes well up a bit.
"Thank you for being open to loving me, Dom."
He leaned in to kiss me again.
"You made me do it."
