Crossed Keys

Chapter Fifteen - Dash

Strike's restaurant was beautiful. It was a couple of days later and he was climbing the walls. We compromised and he accepted me going with him. He was supposed to be resting and I didn't trust him to not over-do it. When we arrived, the outside was all glass. It looked like something out of a magazine.

He opened the door for me, and I lost my breath.

Everything was pristine.

Black tables with black chairs that has white cushions.

Everything looked almost magical, and I glanced up at Strike who was looking around after removing his sunglasses.

It wasn't time for the place to open yet. He took my hand and led me through a set of double doors, down a few steps and along a corridor before entering a beautiful back room. There were a few people there, who surged to their feet and rushed over to Strike.

My hand slipped from his as they threw questions about his health at him. Strike held up both hands and laughed.

"I'm fine. Dash is taking great care of me." He admitted.

It was then they looked at me. Before it was as though they hadn't even realized I was with him. I cleared my throat as they continued to stare.

"Everyone." He stepped closer to me. "This is Dash—my boyfriend."

I blushed.

"Oooh!" They cheered.

"Dash, this is everyone." Strike told me. "You'll learn their names later."

I offered a wave as they all tried shaking my hand.

Once we got through the introductions, they had to open the restaurant for guests. The breakfast rush was insanity and I stepped in to help clearing tables and the like. Though I wanted to stop Strike from working, I compromised and settled for ensuring he took breaks.

Just after lunch, he took my hand and led me through the restaurant, up a few steps and in through a set of glass doors. There was one table there and while it looked like the others, this one was adorned with a red tablecloth, silverware and a large bouquet of flowers.

I arched a brow.

"What's this?" I asked.

"A surprise for you." He picked up the flowers and looked down at them. "You've been kind of like a rock for me. And I don't want to ever take that for granted."

"I did it because I—"

"Because you?"

I sighed. "Strike."

"That's fine—you don't have to tell me." He extended the flowers to me.

Accepting them, I sniffed at the dainty petals and smiled. "They're beautiful."

Strike pulled out one of the chairs and I sat then set the flowers on the side of the table and out of the way. I watched his strong body move around to the other chair and he'd lost weight.

"I don't like that you've lost weight." I admitted, hanging my head. "And I'm sorry it's my fault."

"How do you like my body?"

I blushed.

"It is a serious question, Dash."

Clearing my throat, I sipped some water from one of the cups and sighed.

"I like you bigger than me." I admitted. "I find you strong—especially when we—well, you know?"

Strike smiled.