Blind Date

Chapter 53 • Tables Have Turned

To say our evening was less-than-perfect would be the understatement of the century. After Harry accidentally knocked over his drink and broke the glass, he managed to dribble the brightest of red cranberry sauce onto the lapel of his cream colored suit coat. He went from just being nervous to being humiliated and I feel terrible.

We haven't spoken a word to each other since we left the venue to come back to his place, which has made for an extremely awkward forty-five minutes. It's now nearing ten o'clock and I'm knackered, but I have to make sure he's okay.

It's after we pick Maggie up from Gemma's, and vaguely answering her questions on how our evening went, that Harry punches in the code on the keypad to his door. He opens the door and gestures for me to go inside first and I flip on the light switch.

As I take off my coat and drape it over the back of the couch, I watch him shut the door and he just looks defeated.

"If you hand me your jacket, I'll use the stain remover to work it out. I'm glad I was able to get some water on it right then, but the remover should get it all out," I explain and he mumbles something I can't quite understand. "What was that, love?"

"I said I'm sorry."

"You're sorry? Sorry for what?" I challenge, knowing exactly what he's going to say. In silence, he stands there holding onto Maggie's harness as if his life depends on it and I take the few steps over to him. "Come with me, please."

I fit my hand in his, surprised that he allowed me to in the first place and I lead us over to the sofa. With Maggie sitting at his feet, he exhales a heavy breath and lovingly pets her head.

"Can I ask you a question?"

He turns his head in my direction, "Of course, love."

"Answer me truthfully now. If our situations were reversed; if I were the one born blind and you had your sight, would you hold the fact that I couldn't see against me?"

"What? No, of course I wouldn't."

"Okay. And would you make me feel terrible for something that's out of my control?"

He scoffs, "Of course I wouldn't do that."

"Exactly. Then why would you think I'd do that to you?" He exhales a heavy breath at my rhetorical question and I give his hand a little squeeze. "Harry, you're an incredible man, unlike anyone I've ever met. You have so many wonderful qualities about you; you're kind, funny, easy to get along with and so sweet. I don't mind doing things for you because I love you. You make me happy and I'm lucky to call you my boyfriend."

It's like I've witnessed a tremendous weight being lifted from his shoulders right now. I can't say I wouldn't feel the same if I were in his shoes, but I think it's ridiculous he has even felt remotely bad for what happened tonight.

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Yes, anything, love," he readily says.

"Can you promise me that you won't apologize or feel bad for what happened tonight anymore?"

He nods gently with a hint of a smile that makes me smile and I scoot closer to him, lifting my hand to cup his cheek. His hand slides up my thigh to rest on my waist and I lean in close, closing my eyes as our lips touch in a soft kiss.

"I love you."

My heart wants to burst through my chest at those three words coming from my boyfriend and I peck his lips.

"I love you, too, Harry. Now, give me your jacket before it's completely ruined."

He huffs out a laugh, working the jacket off his arms and he holds it out for me, "Thank you, JJ. I honestly can't thank you enough."