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“Have you reached out to that organization you told me about?”
“No.” Her mouth formed a thin line. “You think I’m chicken, right?”
“I would never pretend to know how you feel, and I definitely don’t think you’re a chicken.”
Darcy wiped her fingers on a napkin while continuing to frown. “You’ve just seen how warm my father is, and my mother is the same way. What if I tell them what I’m doing, and it breaks their hearts? I would never be able to live with myself if I hurt them deeply.”
“If your parents are truly loving and supportive, then I believe they’ll understand your need to know where you came from. They’ll also understand that you’ll never stop loving them even if you find your mom and cultivate a relationship with her. In fact, they may even want to meet her so they can thank her for giving them the chance to adopt you.”
“Thank you.” When she wiped her eyes with a napkin, his gut twisted.
“I’m so sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Darcy sniffed and shook her head. “You didn’t upset me. You’re giving me the courage to take the plunge.” She smiled. “Thank you, Carter. I’m glad I shared this with you.”
“I am too.” He was grateful to see her feeling better about the situation. “How about we share a piece of turtle cheesecake for dessert?”
“Yes, please.”
Carter ordered the dessert, and soon the server brought it over.
“How’s Smoky?” Darcy forked a bite into her mouth.
Carter shook his head, almost certain he had whiplash from her subject change. “Smoky? The shop cat?”
“Yes, the shop cat. How is he?”
He studied her. “He’s fine. Why?”
“I needed to lighten the mood.”
“Oh.” He forked a bite of cake. “Would you believe that he’s a stray who adopted us, but he’s pickier about food than any human I’ve ever met?”
“Really?” Her grin was wide.
“Yes, really. He doesn’t like certain brands of food. If we try to feed it to him, he turns his nose up and struts away.”
Darcy laughed.
They continued to discuss light subjects until the cake was gone. After Carter paid the bill, they walked out to the parking lot. The evening air was warm and smelled like honeysuckle, and the stars above them seemed to sparkle in the sky only for them. Carter wished the night would last forever.
When they reached his truck, he unlocked it and then wrenched open the passenger door for her.
“Thank you,” she said before hopping up into the seat.
Carter jogged around the front end and jumped into the driver’s seat before turning over the engine. “I’m glad I got to spend time with you tonight.”
“Me too.” She patted her abdomen. “Dinner and dessert were amazing.”
They drove to the lot, where only a few cars remained. He parked next to her Lexus and then met her by her driver’s side door.
“Are you still free tomorrow?” he asked.
“Absolutely.” Closing the distance between them, Darcy wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his sternum.
Carter froze in place. For a moment he thought he’d imagined the gesture, but it was as real as the feel of her arms entwined around him. He held her close, soaking in her warmth and rubbing her back. He rested his chin on her soft hair, inhaled her floral scent, and closed his eyes.
Darcy shifted, and he lifted his head. She looked up at him, and his eyes focused on her pink lips. For a moment, he imagined brushing his mouth against hers and drinking in her taste. The thought made his lips burn with desire.
