Besides, it wasn’t like I never cooked, but for this dinner, I was going all out.
I dropped the bags on the table and shook my hands, trying to get the blood back into my fingers. That was the price of getting everything inside in only one trip.
The phone rang as I emptied bags. “Hey, what’s up, Haley?”
“Have you decided?” She had a one-track mind.
I set the steaks next to the stove. “If Adam will watch Pookie for me, then we can go. I’m going to ask him about it tonight. So wish me luck.”
“You’ll need it after all the times your cat has torn him up. Are you still making her catch her treats? Are you using sign language with her?”
“I sometimes make her catch the treats. Adam was impressed by that little trick, but I don’t know sign language.”
“I only know a few signs. You have access to the internet, don’t you?” Haley laughed.
“How are you? Why the urgency to get away?”
“Work has been stressful, but the new client that’s been taking up my whole life will have everything she needs by the end of the week.” She sighed. “Oh! Did I tell you about my neighbor breaking off the engagement?”
“When you were spying through the peephole?” I could totally picture her standing on the mini stepstool, watching everything.
“Do you want to know what it was about or not?”
“Tell me about Zach, the guy you don’t care about.” Back and forth across the kitchen, I put groceries away and laid out items that I’d need for dinner.
“I like people watching, and, besides that, he’s my brother’s best friend. Hank might want to know if Zach is going through a rough spot.”
Adding as much sap to my voice as I could muster, I said, “You’re such a good sister and friend.”
“Whatever. Anyway, she was mad—hollering in the breezeway mad—because he missed their special dinner.”
“He stood her up?”
“He called her to say his friend needed him. You know who that was? Hank. He skipped dinner to hang with Hank the day he was served with divorce papers.” Haley’s voice cracked. “There was part of the argument I couldn’t hear. But he even called her ahead of time to let her know. She didn’t care. Ranting about how he put his friend first, she ended up sobbing so much she couldn’t talk.”
“What did he do?”
“I almost felt sorry for him. He looked like he might be sick.” The sympathy in her voice was unmistakable.
What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t push at least a little? “Almost?”
“I felt so bad for him. Imagine being tormented for being a great friend. Isn’t that awful? It wasn’t like he snuck away to go camping.”
“That’s random.”
“Hank and Zach like to go camping. They’ve done it since high school.”
“Did they know you were listening?”
Her long pause answered the question. “Maybe. He looked right at the peephole once or twice.”
“Busted.”
“But he doesn’t know I live here.” Haley had a slight panic in her tone, which was quite unusual. “Eventually, she slammed the door, and he left.”
“How do you know she ended the engagement?”
“Because right before he walked away, she opened the door again and threw the ring at him. I didn’t know what she’d thrown until he picked it up, but how sad is that?”
“Is that when he looked at you?”
“Yes, but I think that was because I gasped. He totally heard me.”
“Poor guy. I’d love to chat longer, but Adam will be here in just a little bit, and I want to have the steaks ready.”
“Steaks? Yum. He’ll totally say yes to taking care of Pookie.”
“I hope so. Bye.” I tossed my phone aside and set to work.
Thirty minutes later, I was staring at the clock, hoping Adam would show up before the steaks were ready. He’d never been more than seven minutes late. Tonight was not when I wanted that to change.
Two minutes early, he knocked.
I ran to the door, wiping bits of food off my apron. “Hi.”
His gaze swept over me. “You look rather domestic tonight. And what smells so amazing?”
“Dinner. Let’s talk in the kitchen. I don’t want the zucchini to burn.”
“Be right there. Coming up the walk, I realized I had mud on my shoes.” He kicked off his sneakers and followed me into the kitchen. “You really went all out tonight. Steaks?”
Honesty was the best policy, right? “I have a favor to ask, so I made something special.”
He eased up behind me and brushed my hair over one shoulder.
I stirred the veggies, loving the feel of his arms around me.
Dropping kisses on my neck, he whispered, “You can ask favors without making me steak.”
“It’s kind of a big favor.”
“Let me guess. You want to rearrange furniture. Is that it?”
“No. But do you think I should? I’ve never had the couch against the other wall.” Teasing him was too much fun.
“We can talk about how to rearrange furniture later. Tell me about this favor.”
“You aren’t even going to enjoy a delicious steak first?” I plated the food.
He took the plates and carried them to the table. “You’re stalling.”
“I haven’t kissed you.” I leaned close.
He stayed an inch away. “Now, I’m starting to worry.”
I gave him a quick kiss. Cold steaks would not help my case. “Take one bite, and then I’ll ask.”
Grinning he dropped into a chair after pulling mine out for me. “Does it involve a risk of death?”
“Only maiming.” I flashed my best smile.
He shot me a side glance as he cut into his steak. One bite disappeared into his mouth, and I waited, watching his expression.
When he finished chewing, he cut off a second piece. “Wow. So good.” Had he forgotten about the favor? After another bite, he glanced at me. “You can ask any time.”
The best way to ask was just to let the words tumble out. “Haley wants me to go away with her on a girls’ weekend. I was hoping you’d check in on Pookie while I was gone.”
He grinned again. “No problem. I can do that. The way you were acting, I thought it would be something hard or terrible.”
“Like what?”
“I refuse to answer that question. It could definitely get me into trouble.”
“I bought new bandages.”
He narrowed his eyes. “More kittens?”
“Puppies. I thought you’d like those better.”
He shook his head but didn’t respond. The steak had his full attention. He didn’t even seem to notice Pookie sitting at his feet.
Adam flopped onto the sofa and rubbed his belly. “Thank you. I had no idea you could cook like that.”
Pookie jumped up into his lap.
“Sorry, little one, I was distracted by food. I forgot to give you treats.” He yanked a small plastic bag out of his back pocket and shook a few into his hand. “Here you go.”
She gently took them out of his hand one by one, purring the entire time.
Once the treats had all been gobbled up, he gave her a good scratch, and then after a quick meow, she jumped down and waddled off.
“I think she likes me.” He seemed pleased.
“She’d be silly not to.” I settled next to him. “You really don’t mind taking care of her? I’d probably leave midday on a Friday and be back late on a Sunday.”
“You just need to schedule it on a weekend when I’m not on duty, but I don’t mind at all.”
I jumped up and ran to the entry table. When I got back to the couch, I snuggled in beside him and held out the black key that was painted to look like a cat. “You’ll need this to get in the house. I really appreciate it.”
“A cat key. How cute.” After tucking the key in his pocket, he brushed a finger along my cheek. “
Just let me know when.”
He pulled me to his lips, and I was again reminded of how nice it was to have my house back.
Meowing interrupted us. Pookie stood on the sofa next to me with part of a shoelace hanging out of her mouth.
“Oh no, kitty. Which of my shoes did you chew on?” I wasn’t sure if Pookie was rotten or bored.
Adam groaned. “I think it’s from my shoes. I kicked them off by the front door.”
“I’ll buy you new laces.” I pushed up off the sofa. “There are still places open.”
He clasped my hand and tugged me into his lap. “Don’t worry about it right now. I’d rather continue what we were doing.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Absolutely positively sure.” He grinned. “This is even better than dinner.”
“I made dessert. It’s chilling in the fridge.”
“We’ll have plenty of time for that.” He chuckled as Pookie rubbed her face on his feet. “I think maybe she’s jealous. You notice she almost always shows up when I kiss you.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Watching the cat out of the corner of his eye, Adam leaned in and kissed me, just a quick peck. Pookie jumped onto his leg. He kissed me again, and that little cat put her paws on his chest and bumped her nose against his chin.
He chuckled. “I think she likes me better.”
“Because she knows you have treats in your pocket.”
He reached into his front pocket. “I brought you something too.” He held out a small box.
Adam had been all kinds of romantic since that first blind date when he showed up with the bouquet of yellow roses. Surely the box he’d just handed me didn’t contain a ring. It was about the right size, but lounging on the sofa wasn’t where I expected him to propose. Not that I’d say no. I didn’t need a grand gesture, but I wanted to know it wasn’t an afterthought.
“I’m guessing that little box doesn’t contain kitty treats.” I smiled, feeling a bit foolish for even thinking he’d propose. We were serious, but were we that serious?
“Are you going to stare at it or open it?” He nudged me with his elbow.
I lifted the lid off the tiny cardboard box then swatted his arm. “Adam Cardona!”
He chuckled. “It’s been three months since that day, so I wanted to get you something special.”
“Even though it totally breaks rule one, I love it.” I lifted the necklace out of the box, and the bubble bath pendant dangled in the middle. “The little person even has long hair.”
“I tried to find one with her hair up, but this was the best I could do.”
Letting my mouth hang open wasn’t a great look, I’m sure, but having him remember that detail stunned me. “You remember that?”
“Vividly.”
If I wasn’t sure the heat flooding my face was noticeable, he made it clear when he brushed my cheek. “And I remember your blush.”
I swallowed, feeling nearly as vulnerable as I did that day in the tub.
“When I touched the scratches on your face, your reaction made me wish I’d met you under different circumstances.”
“And then you did.”
That wide smile cut across his face. “I did indeed.” He trailed his thumb across my lips. “I have an idea.”
If the idea involved kissing me, I was all for the plan. “I’m listening.” At that moment, he could’ve suggested we hike in Big Bend during the hottest part of August and I might’ve agreed.
He leaned in closer, his thumb still moving back and forth. “Since we are getting along swimmingly—I mean, I’d say we are. Do you agree?”
I nodded.
He slid his hand into my hair and danced his lips on mine.
If I was being buttered up before he asked the question, it was working. And working well. Maybe his parents wanted to have dinner again.
“What if we introduce Pookie to the boys?”
Saying no wasn’t an option. I knew that. But in spite of being buttered up, I hesitated. “She’s so little, and they’re so big.”
“They won’t eat her.”
“I know they won’t. We should do that. I mean, we want them to get along, right?”
“I do.” His brown eyes twinkled with his not-so-subtle answer.
“Okay. I’ll read up on the best way to do it.”
“I can bring the boys here so Pookie is on her own turf. She’ll have lots of places to hide.” He squeezed my hand. It almost sounded like he’d already done some research. “I wasn’t sure you’d say yes.”
“I really hope they don’t hate each other.”
“You and me both.”
Chapter 17
All the research in the world wasn’t going to make the meet and greet for our beloved pets any easier. We just had to get Pookie, Butch, and Sundance together.
I stood at the front window, watching for the truck. Pookie was in my bedroom, and she wasn’t pleased about having her freedom limited. She meowed over and over.
“Kitty, trust me. You’ll want to be in there. I’ll let you out in a bit.”
Adam pulled in the driveway, and I sucked in a deep breath. I was more nervous about my cat meeting his dogs than I’d been about meeting Butch and Sundance myself. Waiting on the front porch, I watched him as he lifted two dog beds out of the back, and then with one bed in each hand, he carried them toward the house. The way it made his biceps bulge was not at all unattractive.
He walked up to the door, and I smiled, still admiring his toned and tanned arms.
“Um . . . are you going to open the door?”
“Oh, sorry. I got distracted.” I pushed open the front door and moved aside. “The beds are the safe place for Butch and Sundance?”
He nodded as he dropped them down in the living room. “Yes. Is Pookie in your room?”
“Locked up and not happy about it.”
He turned then stopped. “Hey, if this first time doesn’t go well, don’t be discouraged, okay?”
“All right.” I could at least pretend not to be discouraged.
But the fact that he’d even said something like that meant that he worried it wouldn’t go well. And that nugget of truth only added to my worry.
“Bring them in. This waiting is making me crazy.”
“Sure. But first—” He caught my mouth with his. Passionate, he danced his lips on mine. As they tangoed, I leaned in closer. In moments like these, I appreciated his muscles even more. His arm was pretty much the only reason I was still on my feet and not puddled on the floor.
“Now I’ll go get the boys.”
I followed him out to the truck. The way Butch got all excited when he saw me was endearing. He didn’t seem to notice that his size made me nervous. Anytime we were in the same space, he wanted to be right next to me.
Adam handed me Butch’s leash.
“Hey there. You are being a good boy. Are you ready to meet the kitty?”
With ears perked up, Butch cocked his head as if he understood.
Sundance ran circles around Adam who was now tangled in the leash.
“He loves to go to new places, if you can’t tell.” Adam freed himself then led the dogs into the house and straight to the living room.
Pookie must have sensed intruders because she’d gotten uncharacteristically quiet.
Adam unhooked the leashes. “You boys be nice. This is Eve’s place. Give it a sniff, then we’ll let you meet the resident cat.”
Sundance barked at the last word.
“That’s probably not the best way to make friends, buddy.” Adam patted both dogs.
Butch padded over to me and sat, looking up with those big brown eyes. After getting a little love, he nosed around the living room, sniffing everything.
Sundance followed Butch around for a few minutes, but when Pookie meowed, he stopped. His ears perked up, and he took off down the hall.
Butch followed but with more caution.
Adam and I stayed a few feet back, watchin
g the whole time.
Sundance sniffed at the door, trying as hard as he could to get his nose underneath.
Butch stared at the door then looked back at Adam. For such a big dog, Butch was timid. Sundance, on the other hand, wanted to meet a new friend.
After letting them sniff a bit, Adam called the boys back to the living room.
“I picked up a few toys for them.” I laid the rope and squeaky toys on the ottoman.
Adam stretched out on the floor and played tug of war with Sundance while petting Butch. “Have you and Haley planned your trip?”
“Weekend after next . . . if that still works for you.” I sat down on the floor beside Butch.
“I’ve marked it on my calendar. Where are y’all headed?”
“Oh, you want to know about what we’re going to do!”
“Right. In the manual, it says that a boyfriend should show interest in their girlfriend’s life.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.
I loved that mischievous streak. “Fredericksburg. That’s where we are planning to go. Haley found this house to rent for the weekend.”
“Do you cook or eat out when you go away on weekends?”
“We stuff ourselves at a restaurant at lunch or dinner. But we take plenty of snacks to sustain us the rest of the time.”
“And what do y’all do when you aren’t eating at a restaurant?”
“Talk, laugh, watch romantic movies, paint our toenails. Stuff like that.”
“You going to talk about me?” His grin begged for a kiss.
I obliged. “Probably a bit. But I try not to go on and on because Haley doesn’t have what I have.”
“You don’t want her to feel bad because you have such an awesome boyfriend.”
“Exactly.” I leaned over Butch and kissed Adam again. “Should we let her out now?”
“Haley? You have her stuffed in a closet somewhere?”
“I’m going to let Pookie out now.”
“Great idea.” He winked.
I quietly slipped down the hall and opened my bedroom door. Pookie had been waiting. She stalked out like she was on a hunt. When she reached the living room, she slowed.
Butch was the first to notice because Sundance was too intent on winning the game of tug of war.
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