Stormy Surrender - By Nicole Andrews Moore Page 0,69

grout hasn’t set yet. I don’t want us to walk on it much.”

“It looks amazing. It’s just like I imagined it…only better because it’s real.” He pointed her in the direction of the cabinet samples. He even had a few spare tiles so she could get a sense of what the room would look like with all the different products together.

She sat on the floor and moved tiles and cabinet samples around. There was a light wood that appealed to her. Or there was a cherry that looked really nice. White could make a great fall back and it would really brighten up the room. She was really agonizing over this decision. In the back of her mind, she really wanted the same finish on the cabinetry in the house. That meant that she would have to have matching bathroom cabinets.

“What do you think?” She asked him honestly. “I’m torn. I really like wood. I know white matches with everything but I think it can look too contemporary or too cheap. So then I thought maybe this light wood to keep it light and bright in here. But I love these cherry finished ones. And if we use those, the bathrooms will have the same wood finish and I really like that idea. I guess the cherry is perfect as long as we go with lighter paint. Yup, that’s what we’ll do. Thank you!” And she smiled at him.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t say anything…” His voice trailed off.

“You didn’t have to. You let me think it out and I really appreciate that.” She was beaming. “Is that everything, or did you need me for something else?” She stood and brushed off her pants. “I have dinner plans.”

His face darkened. “Who do you have plans with?”

Her eyebrows rose at his reaction and tone. Part of her wanted to remind him that it was none of his business how she spent her time, but the other part of her realized that she had pretty much purposely baited him. And she couldn’t be mad at him for reacting, especially since it was the reaction she secretly hoped for. Instead, she smiled. “I’m having dinner with Keely. It’s been a while since we’ve done that and she asked me just before I left.”

“But you knew you were coming over here. Why would you agree to meet her for dinner?” He looked as though he was completely baffled.

“You said you needed my input for the house. You didn’t say you wanted me to stay and hang out. You never mentioned that you wanted plans with me. Why would you think I knew that invitation meant more than it did?” She looked at him with sad eyes. “Do you know how much time I spend alone? If I have a chance to do something and not be alone, I’m going to take it.” And with that, she turned on her heels and prepared to storm out of the house.

“Wait.” He sighed. He spent entirely too much time chasing this woman down. “I’m sorry. I figured it was understood. I didn’t think. I should have asked you to spend the evening with me.” He walked over to her where she hung out by the kitchen opening. “I have something for you before you leave.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the charm. It was a bonfire…crossed logs and a flame. The minute she saw it, she softened, she beamed, and she walked into his arms. “Never forget,” he murmured into her hair.

She looked up at him. “How could I?” She buried her face in his chest. He was growing used to it, welcomed it. He had even taken to making sure he was wearing cologne when he knew he was going to see her. He wanted her to think of him fondly.

“Let me fix it.,” he said as he reached for her wrist. She backed away and looked up at him with glistening eyes. “Are you happy?” She nodded. “Good.” He wrapped the bracelet around her wrist and smiled as it returned to its rightful place. He held her close against his chest for a moment, simply enjoying the closeness. “I don’t suppose you want to come back here after dinner?”

“No, we’ll get talking. It will be too late.” She smiled. “There will be other times.”

“Even if I leave the lights on for you?” He stopped even as he realized he was sounding desperate.

“What about a movie tomorrow?” She hadn’t been to a movie in