The dinner date happened on a Tuesday evening at a small Italian restaurant downtown. Kassie had chosen her outfit three times, changed her mind twice about going, and arrived fifteen minutes early only to sit in her car giving herself a pep talk about not sabotaging something that could be good.
Marcus was already seated when she walked in, and he stood to greet her with the same warm smile he’d had during their coffee date. He was wearing a navy button-down that brought out his eyes, and he looked genuinely happy to see her.
“You look beautiful,” he said, pulling out her chair.
*Daniel used to tell you that you looked beautiful too.*
The thought hit her unexpectedly, followed by a flash of memory she’d tried to suppress. Daniel standing in her kitchen, furious about something—she cou
