“My wife loved this house,” Daniel said quietly, his thumb tracing the handle of his mug.

It was the first time he had mentioned her directly since our dinner at Whitaker’s.

“I miss her,” he continued. “But the house felt very empty for a long time. It doesn’t feel quite as empty today.”

He looked up, his brown eyes searching mine.

“I’m glad you’re here, Victoria.”

“I’m glad I’m here too,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

I reached out and placed my hand over his on the counter.

He turned his palm up and laced his fingers through mine.

His hand was warm, solid, and real.

For a moment, the ghost of Mark’s rejection faded away entirely.

“We have a big event coming up at the hospital,” I said, wanting to share my own life with him.

“Oh?” Daniel asked, smiling.

“The Harborview Children’s Hospital Christmas Gala,” I said. “It’s next Friday. It’s a formal dress event.”

“That sounds nice,” he said, his expression remaining neutral.

“It is,” I said. “They are announcing the donor who is funding our new pediatric healing center. It’s a huge deal for us.”