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He never let go of her hand, leading Carla away from the lot to their seat inside the bistro.

After taking her jacket, Jacob sat across from Carla, and they ordered.

“I have to say, Jacob—we are on a first-name basis, right?”

His gaze was glued to her lips. “After the way I tasted your mouth last night, I would think so.”

She smiled, and a blush fell over her. That was something that rarely happened.

“You’re right about that,” she agreed naughtily.

“I don’t mean to make assumptions because I’m pretty straightforward so let’s make it clear. Can I call you Carla?”

“You can, orbellissima, or beautiful, or baby, or…” She shrugged, and Jacob’s guffaw surrounded them in a cozy blanket of warmth.

“I love your humor.”

She wiggled her brows. “I’ve gotten that all my life.”

“You must’ve been the life of the party in school.”

“Oh, yeah. Because seriously, ain’t no party until I walk in.”

His deep laughter tickled her flesh.

“So, what about at home? You either got on your parents and siblings’ nerves, or you kept them amused.”

Her smile faded a bit. “I would say both, but it was just my father and me. No siblings except for London, my cousin.” She cleared her throat. “My mother abandoned us, unfortunately.”

Jacob’s sparkle fell. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

Carla shrugged. “She was strung out on drugs, and no amount of interventions or conversation about losing her family would deter her from getting what she wanted.”

“Addiction is a theft of life in every aspect. It takes years sometimes to help the ones you love to build a better future for themselves.”

“Yeah, except she left us when I was eight, then died from an overdose when I was eleven.” The table quieted. “I never got the chance to know her personally. I have vague memories of her healthy and thriving. My father says I remember her scent because I wear the same fragrances she wore.” Carla scanned the restaurant and saw the waitress coming to their table. “I would’ve never known it was her favorite perfume had he not told me.”

“Hot cocoa for you both, turkey, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwiches, on toasted oat bread. Is there anything else I can get you two?”

“I’m good,” Carla smiled.

“No, thank you,” Jacob added.

“I’ll be back to check on you both in a minute.”

She strolled away, and Carla took a sip of her hot cocoa.

“Ooh, that’s good. Went down nice and warm.”

She wanted to ask about his parents, but Carla had been around long enough to be privy to conversations about his mother’s death from a home invasion when he was also a child. His father, Christopher Lee Rose, remarried decades later and seemed to be happy and in love.

“I’m sorry about your mom. I can’t say I comprehend that specific loss and the frustration that accompanies it, but I do have an idea. As you probably are aware, my mother was taken from us when we were adolescents, so I’ve never had the chance to bond with her.”

“I’m sorry, Jacob.”

He nodded. “Sometimes life makes choices for you. However, I believe that every step we take is designed and bigger than any one person’s life. I also believe I’ll see her eventually, and oh, what a day that will be.”

Carla’s smile was genuine. “I hope you’re right.”