just went through the motions until I moved to New York. And then I sort of just lost myself in my patients and the hospital.”
“I’m sorry, baby.” I wrapped my arms around her, keeping her tight against me. She sighed, melting against me.
“There were just so many things that didn’t matter anymore, that I didn’t see myself doing.”
“And now?” My heart was beating insanely fast.
She pulled back a few inches, smiling up at me. “Now, I want to break out of this cocoon I’ve been hiding in, and it’s all your doing.”
“I’ll gladly take the credit.”
“But I’m also scared of imagining the future,” she whispered. “Of dreaming and then maybe losing that dream again.”
“We’re just living in the present, baby. Don’t worry about anything else, okay?”
“Okay.”
I kissed her slowly, savoring her and savoring this moment. I was about to move my mouth to her neck when her stomach rumbled loudly. Laney winced.
“My stomach really has dreadful timing.”
Laughing, I led her to the kitchen.
“Are we having delicious leftovers again?” she asked.
“I can make us something. Grilled cheese sandwiches are my specialty.”
“They sound delicious. I’ll get started on the coffee.”
I hadn’t actually done this in a while, but it couldn’t be that complicated. No need to search for instructions on YouTube, especially after bragging to Laney.
Ten minutes later, Laney and I hurried to open all windows. Black smoke rose from the pan. At least the fire alarm hadn’t started. I hadn’t been the only one damaging the kitchen either. Laney had tried to clean a piece of plastic from the coffee machine with boiling water, instantly deforming it.
Laney was fighting laughter. If she tried any harder, she might crack a rib.
“Go on, laugh. I deserve it,” I said.
“Thought they were your specialty?”
“Were being the operative word. Haven’t made any in about a year.”
“I see. And you thought you’d experiment on me.”
She was walking toward me, swinging her hips. I wanted to keep her like this, in my shirt and swim trunks for the rest of the day, or even longer.
“I’m sorry about the coffee maker. I’ll look online for the part, and if I don’t find it, I’ll just buy you a new one.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll just buy a new one and be done with it.”
“Cole—”
“Really, forget about it.”
“Okay. So your specialty is burned cheese sandwiches and mine is ruining your coffee machine.”
“Clearly, we’re meant for each other.”
She burst out laughing, and I maintained eye contact, watching for any signs of unease or sadness but couldn’t detect any. Relief slammed into me.
“Okay, so since we’ve established that I’ve forgotten how to cook the only dish I was good at, and you’re hungry, how about I take you out for breakfast.”
“Sounds good. I’m just going to look a bit ridiculous with my black top. It’s so revealing.”
“You’re gonna look sexy as hell.” Leaning closer, I drew the back of my fingers up and down her cheeks. “I love that outfit. Just like this one. Anything that shows so much skin gets a hell, yes from me.”
“This doesn’t show anything.”
“Not at first glance, but if you look closely, and I do that a lot, I can see the contour of your breasts, especially when your nipples are puckered... like now.”
She drew in a sharp breath.
“Besides, I like the easy access.” To demonstrate, I dipped my hands in the waistband of the trunks, squeezing her ass. She shuddered, her knees giving in a fraction of an inch. I turned rock hard the next second. Her eyes widened a bit as I drew my thumb on her lower lip.
“There’s a gala coming up in five weeks. Come with me. Friends and business partners will be there, and I want them to meet you.”
Damn, I hadn’t planned on just blurting this out. It was the first time I was going with a date. I was fully aware that I’d just assured her that we were living in the present, but I wanted her there, part of my world.
My shoulders went rigid as I watched her intently. What if she said no?
“Those are fancy, right?” she asked slowly.
I nodded. When she smiled, the tension between my shoulder blades slowly dulled.
“I’d be honored. And I’m gonna have to shop, because nothing in my closet is good enough for a gala.”
“I vote for something sexy as hell. Wait, no, I take that back. I only want you wearing sexy stuff when it’s the two of us.”
She laughed, clasping my hands, drawing them down her body.