Turning, he pushed the button to start the bread toasting and then grabbed two plates and butter. As he set them next to the toaster, Domitian admitted, "I searched for you that night. I called every hotel in the city looking for where you and your father were staying."
"We stayed in my grandfather's apartment," Sarita said softly.
"Si. That was also in the report I got the next day, but by then you were on a plane back to Canada." He fetched another plate, lined it with paper towel and shifted the bacon strips from the pan to the plate one at a time. "I forced myself to calm down then. I told myself it was fate making sure I stuck to my original plan, and I would wait until you had graduated and worked two years in your field."
Domitian glanced over to see Sarita watching him with an indefinable expression. She looked serious, but her expression was uncharacteristically soft at the same time. Wondering what she was thinking, he set the plate of bacon before her and turned his attention to removing the now perfect sunny-side-up eggs to two plates.
"And when I came for my father's funeral?" Sarita asked, walking around the island to begin buttering the toast when it popped.
Domitian almost sighed inwardly. He'd planned on skipping that trip, not wanting to upset her as talk of her father had last night, but it seemed fate was pushing them that way anyway, so he admitted, "I struggled then too, but a little less. You were in the police college. Once done I would only have to wait two years to come woo you."
"So, you were planning to come to Canada this summer?" she asked with curiosity.
"I already have the plane ticket," he admitted with a shrug. Turning off the heat under both frying pans, Domitian carried the plates with the eggs on them around to set on the island in front of their seats.
"And how did you plan to approach me?" Sarita asked, following with the toast.
Domitian held her chair for her as she sat down and set the toast on the island, then claimed his own seat before turning to her and saying solemnly, "I was going to walk up to you and say, 'My name is Domitian Argenis . . . You are my life mate . . . Prepare to be loved.'"
Sarita blinked at him several times, and then recognition bloomed on her face, and she cried, "The Princess Bride!"
"Si." Domitian grinned, pleased she recognized it.
"As you wish!" she said suddenly and shook her head. "I knew it reminded me of something when you said that, I just . . ." Sarita shook her head. "I can't believe I didn't pick up on it at once. I love that old movie. It's a classic."
"It is not that old," he protested.
"It was made before I was born," she said dryly.
"Si, but you are still young," Domitian said, and she grinned.
"Yeah, and I always will be to you . . . because you're so old," Sarita taunted.
"You do enjoy reminding me of that," he said wryly.
"Hey," she said with a shrug. "I find amusement where I can. Life is short."
"It does not have to be," he said solemnly.
Sarita had turned back to her plate, but seemed to freeze at his words. The moment she did, Domitian could have kicked himself for saying them. It was too soon. He was rushing her and would scare her off if he wasn't careful.
"Orange juice," he said abruptly, and got up to go fetch glasses and the juice.
"Domitian."
He just managed not to hunch his shoulders as if against a blow as he heard the solemn tone to her voice. Forcing himself to remain calm and relaxed, he smiled at her inquisitively as he carried the glasses and orange juice back to his seat, trying not to look like he knew she was going to say something that would alarm him. "Si, mi tresoro?"
"I've enjoyed our time together," Sarita started carefully, and he heard the but coming before she said, "But once we are off this island and I'm sure my grandmother is safe, I am returning to my job and home in Canada."
Domitian forced himself to nod mildly. "Si. And I will follow."
She frowned. "You'd follow me to Canada?"
He shrugged. "I have family there. It would be nice to be closer to my sister."
Her eyes widened incredulously. "You mean you'd move there? But what about your restaurants and-?"
"Mi Corazon," he interrupted gently, "you are my life mate. I will not rush you. I will remain patient and give you the time you need, but I will follow you to Canada and woo you as you deserve."
He saw Sarita's throat move as she swallowed, but then she turned her face down to her plate and he wasn't sure how she was taking his words. Domitian supposed he'd hoped she'd throw her arms around his neck and declare him the most wonderful man in the world and vow to be his. He knew that was a ridiculous hope, however. Life never went that easily.