When Hearts Heal

Chapter 26

The day of our fifth date started with a flurry of nerves I hadn’t felt since our first. It was silly, really. We’d been out several times now, and each date had been better than the last. But this one felt different, more charged. Maybe because this was the night I was finally going to tell him how I really felt, or maybe because the tension between us—the almosts and not yets—was starting to feel too big to ignore.

By late afternoon, I was already trying on my third outfit when my phone buzzed.

Dominic: Still on for 7? Can’t wait to see you!

I smiled, tapping out a quick reply. Definitely. I’m excited.

Excited. That was one word for it. The truth was, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. About the way he laughed at my sarcastic comments, or how his eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled. There was something about Dominic that made me feel at ease and nervous at the same time—a balance I hadn’t found with anyone in a long time.

After settling on an outfit that felt just right—a casual but flattering dress—I headed out, nerves simmering under my calm exterior. The restaurant Dominic had picked was tucked away in a cozy part of town, far enough from the usual crowds. As I walked inside, the warm lighting and soft clinking of silverware against plates set the perfect mood for the evening.

Dominic was already waiting, standing by the entrance with his hands in his pockets. When he saw me, his smile widened, that same crooked smile that always managed to make me feel like the only person in the room.

“You look amazing,” he said as he stepped forward, his eyes sweeping over me in that appreciative but subtle way he always did.

“Thanks,” I replied, trying to ignore the warmth rising in my cheeks. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”

We shared a brief hug before the host led us to a small table near the window. The restaurant had a rustic charm—exposed brick walls, candlelit tables, and the mouthwatering smell of fresh Italian food wafting through the air. It felt intimate, but not overwhelming.

“So,” I said as we sat down, “how’s work? You mentioned it’s been crazy lately.”

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, it’s been... a lot. But I’m not going to let it ruin tonight.” He leaned forward, his expression softening. “I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

The sincerity in his voice made my heart flutter. He had a way of saying things that felt so genuine, so different from anyone else I’d dated. It was like he wasn’t trying to impress me; he was just being himself.

“I’m glad,” I said, meeting his gaze. “I’ve been looking forward to it too.”

We ordered wine, the conversation flowing easily as it always did. He told me about a particularly ridiculous situation at work, and I laughed so hard I almost knocked over my glass. There was something so effortless about being with him, like I didn’t have to pretend or try too hard. I could just be.

As we ate, I caught him looking at me more than once with an expression I couldn’t quite place—like he was trying to figure something out, or maybe like he was waiting for the right moment to say something. Whatever it was, it made the air between us crackle with an energy I hadn’t felt before.

And through it all, that thought lingered in the back of my mind—the one about how we still hadn’t kissed. I didn’t know if it was deliberate, or if he was waiting for the perfect moment. But tonight, something told me that moment was close.

The dinner had been perfect. Everything about the night felt easy and right, and as Dominic pulled up to my apartment, I couldn’t help but feel that quiet hum of contentment settle over me.

"Thanks again for tonight," I said as we sat in his car, neither of us making a move to get out. The night felt too good to end just yet.

He smiled. "Thank you for making time for me. I know I’ve been all over the place lately with work."

"Hey, we’ve all got lives," I shrugged, though I appreciated his effort to make up for the past few days.

As we sat there, the silence between us shifted, not uncomfortable but charged, like something unspoken lingered in the air. I absentmindedly reached into my bag, pulling out a mint and popping it into my mouth.

Dominic glanced at me, amused. "You always carry mints, don’t you?"

I nodded, laughing softly. "Yeah, I’m kind of obsessed with having fresh breath. I know it’s weird, but I can’t help it."

He grinned, leaning a little closer, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, I guess that means you’ll be a great kisser then."

I froze, a blush creeping up my cheeks. "I wouldn’t say that…" I replied, my voice a little quieter, my heart racing at his words.

He chuckled, his gaze not leaving mine as he slowly closed the distance between us. “I think you’re selling yourself short.”

Before I could come up with a witty comeback—or any response at all—he gently cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against my skin. The world seemed to slow down, the air between us thick with anticipation. I felt the warmth of his breath as he leaned in, his lips just barely brushing mine. And then, as if we’d both been holding back for far too long, he kissed me.

It was soft at first, tentative, as if he was savoring the moment. But as I leaned into him, the kiss deepened, his lips firm and sure against mine. My heart raced, every nerve in my body awake and buzzing. His hand moved from my cheek to the back of my neck, pulling me just a little closer as his other hand rested gently on my knee.

I melted into him, tasting the warmth of his lips, the gentle pressure that sent shivers down my spine. Everything about the kiss felt perfect, natural, like this was exactly where we were meant to be.

When he finally pulled back, his breath still mingling with mine, he rested his forehead against mine, his thumb grazing my skin again.

“Definitely a good kisser,” he whispered, his lips curling into a smile.

I blushed harder, unable to stop the smile spreading across my face. "I guess the mints paid off," I teased, still catching my breath.

He laughed softly, his eyes warm and filled with something deeper than just attraction. “You didn’t need the mints. Trust me.”

There was something in the way he looked at me, something that made me feel like this kiss—this moment—wasn’t just another date. It was more. And as I looked into his eyes, I realized that maybe, just maybe, this was the beginning of something real.