A Reason To Stay by Julieann Dove

quickly than she had time to decide how to leave it with him. She would do her best, promise nothing, and ignore any talk about the future. They would have a lovely meal, kiss, and leave. Problem solved.
    Darren helped her out of her car when they arrived, kissing her after she stood up. He was ever the gentleman as they walked hand in hand into the posh restaurant. She’d never dated such a guy while living in California. She had to pinch herself several times in their months together just to remind herself he was with her. With her! Soon the pinching would cease.
    The hostess escorted them to a secluded booth toward the back. It was evening, so the restaurant had already turned the lights down, making it feel later than it actually was. Sprays of fresh cut flowers stood in vases on pedestals and the fragrance lingered in the air. Elise opened her menu and scanned the pages for the light fare. Her nerves weren’t accepting anything else that evening. The waiter took their orders and they sipped on the wine Darren had ordered when they were seated. Elise was finishing her second glass by the time her cloth napkin hit her lap.
    “I’m not going to mention anything about the white elephant that is sitting with us at the table tonight,” Darren said half-heartedly.
    “Who invited him, anyway?” Elise swallowed more of her wine before setting the glass down on the perfectly white linen cloth.
    “I certainly didn’t. I wish he would just take a hint and go away.”
    Elise offered a look of sympathy, regretting how fast their ship had sunk into the abyss of dejection. Another poor soul just waiting for the gravestone marker. “I’m sorry, Darren.”
    “I never wanted to screw things up with you, Elise. I wish I’d never suggested moving in together.” His lips said it, but she doubted it was true. He only regretted her reaction.
    “I guess the only way to get the elephant to leave is to talk it away. Do you want to?” Oh, Lord, what did she just say? What was in this wine, anyway? Truth serum? Did he lace it before they arrived? The waiter seemed to have a code look with Darren as he was pouring it. Stop talking, dumb girl. Leave it alone. Elephants don’t take up that much space. Learn to live with the lovely two-ton creature.
    “I would like to talk about it. Yes.” He jumped on her invitation like wings to a Victoria’s Secret model.
    Oh, shit. She had done it now. She opened the door and welcomed the inquisitor inside to explore the deepest parts of her that she never even loitered around. She chugged the last two full sips of wine and withheld a tiny air bubble that made her giggle when it popped in her throat.
    He would now get the first grader’s version, as the alcohol swirled inside her bloodstream. “Well, Darren,” she said with her eyes speaking more than her mouth. “Some people are scared of spiders; some are scared of tall buildings. But I’m scared of commitment. In fact, it scares the shit right out of me.”
    Easy as can be. Admitted and stated the obvious. This counted as fourth base to Elise.
    Before Darren could say anything to her self-professed flaw, the food arrived. Elise’s woozy eyes swerved around both plates, her stomach growling at the thought of eating something an actual chef had prepared. The grilled chicken was nestled on its bed of wine sauce and the snap peas did not beckon her as much as his fillet mignon draped in wild mushrooms and béarnaise sauce. She tried not to stare at his entree with wanting eyes. Darren seemed oblivious to everything except their interrupted conversation.
    “Have you ever been in a relationship more serious than ours?” Did he even notice the perfectly seared steak, posing on his plate softly whispering her name?
    She began cutting her chicken as the peas slipped out from under it. After finishing chewing a small bite, she nonchalantly answered without looking up from her plate. Oh, my gosh! What was in this sauce? Euphoria danced in her head