The kind that just comes naturally when you look at someone you honestly care about.
He was grinning as he turned on the engine. So, that would be his motivation. To do whatever it took to keep that look on her face. And not give her any reason to feel otherwise.
He was still grinning over an hour later when they finally pulled into the driveway of his home. The drive had been both relaxing and informative. They hadn’t talked business, or about their burgeoning relationship. Instead he’d shared stories about his family, she’d asked about his culinary training and what most compelled him about cooking, he’d asked her about when she’d started painting, and the conversation simply continued on, flowing easily and naturally.
“This is your place?”
“Yep. Bought it a few years ago. Used to be—”
“The McElroys’ place, right?”
“Right. Old Mr. Eddie’s kids moved him to a senior home over near them in Charlottesville and put the house on the market. I like that it’s in the older part of town, not too far from the restaurant, but not right next door.” He flashed her a smile. “And not next door to any of my relatives, either.”
“Most of them are over on the west side, right?”
He nodded. “Newer homes, closer to the highway, and the stores and schools.” He turned off the engine. “It’s quieter here, an older, more sedate neighborhood, for sure, but with all the chaos of the restaurant, I like the peace, the retreat.”
She was looking at the house. He was looking at her.
“Did you ever think you’d want a family? I know you love yours, but, as you said, being surrounded by them all the time, night and day, seven days a week…and your parents only having you…”
“Only because my mom couldn’t have more. She had some complications with me. She’d have had a dozen if she could have, and my dad would have loved it, too.” He laughed now, as he looked at the terror that crossed her face. “I don’t have any predetermined ideas on what kind of family I want. I guess I do know I want one, at least that’s how I see my life going. But…I’m not a big future planner in that regard. I’m happy with letting it take its own course.”
She glanced at him, then smiled when he reached across and took her hand. “I think you’ve really done well for yourself, Sean. You’re happy, you love what you do, you have a nice home here…surrounded by family and friends. I think your folks would be so proud and happy.”
“I’d like to think so.” He tugged her hand a little, and she slid across the seat to be closer to him. “You know, I meant what I said earlier.”
“Which part?”
“About just wanting you to be comfortable, to have a bed, get a good night’s sleep. I know how much stress you’re under, and that I’ve been a part of that, so consider it the least I can do.”
She didn’t say anything right away. Instead she looked down at where their hands were still joined, then finally, back up at him. “Okay.”
He smiled. It was a start. That’s all he wanted. Starting meant they were moving in some direction. Together.
Then she smiled, and reached up and cupped his face in her palm, leaned forward until her mouth was a breath away from his, and said, “So…what would be the most that you could do?”
His heart leapt, his body beat that by double, and he completely lost his train of thought. “I—uh—”
She laughed then, and kissed him. “It’s good to know I’m not the only one who feels occasionally discombobulated by this.”
“No…not the only one,” he said on a short laugh. “You know, you don’t have to—”
“I know I don’t. But after this afternoon, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it. A lot. Okay, nonstop. And I don’t know, yet, what I’m going to do. Here, in London, so many things yet to be figured out, decided on. Normally I’d want to take my time, be sure of every little thing. I’m not normally so spontaneous, especially about this.” She touched his face again. “But, like you said, now is when you’re here. And I’m here. And I want…what I want. In fact, it’s the one easy decision I’ve had to make. I don’t want regrets. I want time with you.”
He grinned. “Have I mentioned how much I love that you’re such a decisive woman?”
“Remember you said that.”
He was