Page 19 of Seneca
“I’m sorry you can’t be in contact with them.What Dario did to you was fucked-up on a hundred different levels.It’s only been a day since you were exiled, and you and I just met last night.You shouldn’t expect to be healed from all that trauma so fast, and it takes as long as it takes for you to grieve that loss.People who took you in when you were young aren’t allowed to be part of your life anymore.I don’t know what I’d do if I had to go through what you did.You’re strong and fierce, Sunny.You’ll get through this, and I’ll be by your side.You don’t owe me any kind of gratitude just for being your soulmate, and you shouldn’t feel bad for missing them.”
“You’re going to make me cry.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s okay.It’s because you’re so sweet.And it makes me miss my parents even more too, because I know they would have loved to get to know you, to know that I was soulmates with a big, protective bear.”She sniffled and leaned on his shoulder.“I might not owe you gratitude, but I’m thankful to be with you.”
“I’m thankful to be with you too.”
She was lost in thought again and he let her have the silence, now that he understood she was wrestling with missing her friends and parents.He wished he could punch that asshole Dario in the face a few times for putting her through it.
He’d never be sorry she was with him, but he sure hated she’d lost the people she considered family.
When they reached the restaurant, which was in the basement of a family home in an older neighborhood, he parked on the street and got out.Giving a wave to Amadeus and Xavier, he walked around to Sunny’s door and opened it, offering her his hand.
“Oh, how cute!”she said.“Is this someone’s house?”
“Yes,” he said.“I’m told it’s the owner’s home and her family runs the business.They shop for the food fresh daily and change the menu based on what’s in season at local markets.”
“That’s really cool.”
They followed a path around the side of the house that sloped down at the back to reveal a covered patio with tables and chairs and twinkle lights hanging from the awning.At the hostess stand, a young woman greeted them, then took them to a table at the corner of the patio.After handing them menus, she took their drink orders.
“Okay, this place smells amazing,” Sunny whispered, peeking at him over the menu.
“I know, right?My stomach is growling like crazy.”
A dimple appeared in her cheek as she grinned.“Your stomach is always growling.”
“True,” he said with a laugh.
They ordered fried farmer’s cheese from a local dairy, hand-rolled pasta in fresh tomato sauce, and shared a basket of rustic Italian bread while they waited for their meal.
“This place is really cozy and romantic,” Sunny said.“You did a great job picking it.”
“I wanted you to know how special you are to me.”
“I already know.”She touched the space over her heart.“I can feel how much you care for me, and it’s only been a day.”
His bear chuffed in his head in happiness.
When their food arrived, they talked about the park and her working with him on Sunday to see how she liked it, and then their topics switched to the future and what that looked like for them.
As the meal wound down, he felt so much closer to her.While the food was incredible and the setting was unforgettable, all he could think about was getting her home where he could hold her close, show her how much he cherished her, and fall asleep with her in his arms.
After he rocked her world, of course.
Because that was his very favorite thing in the world.
Sunny woke up snuggled in Seneca’s arms, the night before swirling in her subconscious.Intimate dinner, passionate night, dreamy chatting before sleep overtook them both.
She remembered the last thing she said before she fell asleep, though.
I’m falling for you.
And she was certain he’d told her the same before everything went dark and she slipped down into another sweet night of rest.
She’d never slept so well since she’d been with Seneca.Finding her soulmate had changed her life in so many ways.