Mistletoe Magic (Paradise Place #6) - Natalie Ann Page 0,30
Then she jumped up. “Oh, we need popcorn. You can’t have a movie without popcorn.”
She moved into the kitchen and got out an air popper. “I haven’t seen one of them in years.”
“I don’t like microwave popcorn. I’ve got flavored salts too. Caramel is my favorite. What do you like? I’ve got like eight of them.”
“Caramel is good for me,” he said. He loved how she was a little homemaker when so many her age weren’t.
She might be several years younger than him, but no one would know it.
Once the popcorn was in a big bowl, the two of them were under the blanket, the puppies had been behaving but decided they didn’t want to be on their bed as much as they wanted to join the two of them snuggling.
Luke jumped up first and Robin put him on the floor. Then Leia did it next so he put her down. The dogs went back and forth doing it until the two of them were laughing. “I think it might be best to just let them stay up here if you don’t mind.”
“They seem like they are used to being here,” he said, tugging at her hair.
“Guilty. I thought I could hide that little fact because they’ve been so good, but the secret is out of the bag.”
“Do they sleep on your bed?” he asked, wondering if he’d have to fight for space.
“No. They stay down here. I don’t want them out of the crates at night until I know they are housebroken. We aren’t there yet.”
“How often are you getting up to let them out?” he asked petting Leia. She always ended up with him and Luke with Robin.
“Just once and not even every night. If I hear them whining or barking, I get up and come down, but normally they sleep through the night. I just get up early and let them out. No use making them hold it too long. I wouldn’t want to and their bladders are much smaller.”
“You’re a good mom,” he said.
“I want to be someday. I guess I’m practicing on the dogs. Do you want kids?”
“I do. I’ll know when the timing is right and with who,” he said. If he was thinking she might be the one he was keeping it to himself for the moment.
“Yeah, same here,” she said, then gave him a kiss and started the movie.
It was better that way. No reason to get any deeper into that conversation.
13
Just Selective
“Are you sure you don’t mind eating twice today?” Robin asked as Brian drove them to Glens Falls and her parents’ house for Thanksgiving.
They’d been dating a month now and it was going great in her eyes. Better than great. Maybe fast, but in some ways not fast enough.
She’d never felt this much for someone in such a short period of time and though she had to keep telling herself to dial it back, she wondered why she needed to.
It wasn’t as if Brian seemed like he would scare easily. And wasn’t he always willing to come over and stay the night? Almost every weekend he’d been staying Friday and sometimes Saturday.
She hadn’t seen his house yet; they hadn’t really had time. Or maybe he didn’t want her to see it? She wasn’t sure.
“It’s not a problem,” he said. “I’ve got a big appetite.”
“I appreciate you driving and being okay with the dogs in the car. They do like riding and I’m glad they won’t be locked up all day. It was nice of your parents to include them, but I’m nervous they might get into trouble or make a mess. We can bring them home before we go there. I’m okay with that.”
“No,” he said, looking over at her and then in the backseat where Luke and Leia were both in doggie car seats, each looking out the window on their respective sides. “My parents love dogs. They love other people’s dogs more. They are excited to meet you and thrilled to get some puppy time. Or maybe my father is. I’m sure if I remember correctly he always had a dog on his lap.”
“Your mother is a retired nurse and your father still owns an insurance firm?” she asked. “I want to make sure I remember it all.”
“Yes. And don’t worry if you don’t.”
“But I do worry. I want to make a good impression. Meena’s salon is called Pulse. And Troy owns his family plumbing and heating company?”
“Yes to both,” he said, reaching his hand over and patting