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The portly lanced down to the table “Is that waffles with maple bacon?”

Lindy stepped up with her order pad “They’re a house favorite, can I get you some?”

The old man sat in my empty seat and rattled off his order, and Nate sat with hi

Chance pulledmy heart to do another flip “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I whispered in his ear as we took another booth

“I didn’t think you wanted , and I love the way you want to take care of your father, but I thought that was all that mattered to you, I didn’t think you’d have room for me” He lifted his shoulder as he squeezed my hand

“He’s getting his surgery, thanks to you I called the specialist earlier” I had hoped I’d be able to share that neith hi

“That’s not thanks toto do what it took But I’lad you did I haven’t felt like this before I want you by e” He stroked my hair and tucked a stray hair behind my ear “Will you let me?”

“I’et used to that” I had always been the one to wait on others and tend to the for me Not even my stepmother

“Do you want to try?” He looked at me with hopeful eyes

“Yes—”

His mouth was on mine before I had a chance to finish the word, and I couldn’t believe that this was all happening for us

He pulled away and o meet your father I’d like to ask his permission to date you”

“I’ht now?” I had left ood spirits, and we’d had a good conversation “Just reirl’s weekend with Lindy I’d rather him not know”

“Yeah, h, and he called Lindy for his check then the two of us headed out to his car where we cliave the driver directions to the holass, he pulled me close

“God, I’ve missed you” He buried his nose in my hair and inhaled deeply “You’re scent, your taste” He kisseda soft peck on ain” His words sent chills up my spine and neck and I h