I Can't Stop (Part 2)

Part 11

"You know, I'm kind of glad, I ruined dinner." Lindsey admitted, reaching for his glass of wine.

Chuckling, Stevie covered his hand with hers, sipping her drink. "Why do you say that?"

"Because this was amazing." Pointing to his cleared plate, he said. 

"I wasn't sure, what you were trying to make, but we could have ate at home. It smelled pretty good." Stevie shrugged and she was being honest. 

Lindsey wanted to keep his promise of making Stevie dinner, once his cast was taken off. Somewhere halfway through the process, he turned the stove off and told Stevie to get ready, they were going out. They hadn't made any sort of announcement, but it was their first public appearance as a couple. It wasn't about telling everybody, it was more about them being able to act natural, to be able to touch and kiss, to look utterly in love with each other, without having to worry that someone might notice.

"Well, desert is still all me."

"Oh yeah, it is." Lindsey smirked, brushing his thumb over the back of Stevie's hand. She just rolled her eyes at him. "You're beautiful."

"You're making me blush." Stevie cast her eyes down, but he slightly rose from his seat and tilted her chin up.

"You are beautiful, Steph." 

Taking his hand away from her face, she held it tightly in hers. "I love you."

"I love you." Lindsey echoed. Suddenly, he saw the smile fade from her face, causing him to frown. "What's wrong?"

Stevie was looking past Lindsey's shoulder and towards the entrance of the restaurant. "Uh... it- it's Don."

Lindsey asked, without turning around to look. "He's here?"

"Yes." She nodded her head. "With the new woman in his life, I assume."

Stevie wasn't quick enough to shift her gaze and Don caught her staring. Much to her surprise, he smiled and began walking their way. Stevie had no idea, what their interaction might result into and a part of her wanted to run, but she felt Lindsey giving her hand a supportive squeeze, making those thoughts vanish from her mind.

"Good evening." Don said, holding his hand out to Lindsey, who was equally as surprised as Stevie.

"Evening, Don." Lindsey shook his hand.

Stevie got up from her seat, when Don opened his arms for a hug. They hadn't seen each other in a long time. He never got out of the car, bringing Alice over to Stevie's house, and they hadn't bumped into each other recently either. However, it didn't feel awkward, being embraced by her ex husband. Stevie just silently wondered to herself if Lindsey was okay with it.

"I'd like you to meet Sharon." Don introduced his new girlfriend at last. After quick hello's, he turned to Lindsey. "I heard about what happened, how are you doing?"

"I, uh, I'm good, really good." Lindsey nodded, glancing at Stevie as if to ask, what the hell was going on. "And you?"

"Wonderful." Don said. "It's really nice to see you two, together." He added. "Some things are just meant to be."

"You seem happy, too, Don." Stevie gave him a genuine smile. 

"We should set something up, I don't want to interfere right now."

"Sure, yeah. Yeah, we should." Stevie nodded. 

"Well, enjoy your evening." Don wrapped his arm around Sharon's waist. "I'll see you, then."

With that the two walked away, leaving Stevie and Lindsey still quite confused. Finishing his wine, Lindsey said. "I think, this is the most pleasant interaction I have ever had with Don."

Stevie laughed lightly, nodding her head. "I guess, there are no hard feelings."

She wanted to believe her own words, however, for some reason, it seemed too good to be true. The fact that Sharon reminded Stevie of her younger self, didn't sit quite well with her either.