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Ipulled the cake out of Luna’s oven and set it aside to cool while I worked on the meal itself. Luna had given me a code to get into her apartment, and Auggie had helped me carry all the supplies in. I was still relieved that Luna was interested in doing something for Valentine’s Day. It didn’t matter that it was technically the day before, because Tuesdays were our special day, and that counted just as much.
I’d gotten top marks on my sponge cake in class and was eager to make something special for Luna. I also got her a present, but I had thought ahead about it and picked out something that would safely fit within her rules.
While it was weird to be in her space without her, I could appreciate the amount of trust it took for her to allow it.
I busied myself with all of the meal prep, decorating while the pork chops were in the oven. Luna probably wouldn’t appreciate the cliché of rose petals, and the fire risk of candles made me nervous, so I had opted for a bunch of those battery-operated candles instead. Setting them around her apartment as the sun set gave the exact ambiance I’d been hoping for. I added fairy lights where I could reach. I restrained myself from adding cheesy music, unwilling to spook her too hard with the effort I was putting in.
I was putting the finishing touches on the Black Forest cake when Luna walked in the door.
She froze like a deer in headlights, gaze whipping all around the apartment before settling on me. “Holy shit.”
“Is it too much? I can take some of it down.”
“It’s definitely a lot, but I like it. You’re my first Valentine’s date since high school, so it feels appropriate that all of the Valentine’s Days I missed get crammed into this one.”
I beamed at her as she swept toward me, dropped her yoga supplies, and settled into my arms, tilting her face up to kiss me.
“Dinner’s ready if you’re hungry.”
“Starving,” she replied. “What’s on the menu?”
“Crispy Parmesan green beans and zucchini, pork chops with mushroom cream sauce, and garlic mashed potatoes, with a toasted almond and orange salad to start, and we’ll finish off with homemade Black Forest cake.”
“God, Luca, could you be any more husband material?”
Heat rushed through my body at the statement. Was I? Not enough to be her husband. Not now, maybe not ever. I stopped myself from digging into it any further or my brain would spiral.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Nope. Everything is already set up, so all you have to do is wash up and change if you’d like, or you’re fine to sit down in what you’re wearing since it won’t be on you for long.”
“If it were a regular Tuesday I’d consider it, but you put in effort, so I’m going to as well.” She gave me a quick kiss before disappearing upstairs to her nest.
I listened to the water kick on while I sprinkled peeled orange segments and toasted almonds onto the lettuce, giving the vinaigrette I had made a good shake. I set them on Luna’s new dining room table, seating us at the closest end to the kitchen with the candles I had bought decorating the other end along with a bouquet of pink and orange roses.
When I turned back around, Luna was slipping down the stairs in a slinky little red dress with her lips painted the same color. Her curls were semi-tamed into a bun-like pile on the top of her head with a red flower tucked into it, and strappy red heels adorned her feet.
“Are you trying to tempt me into turning you into the first course?”
Luna’s laugh was sweet and perfect. “If I were trying to do that, I would’ve come down in lingerie. But you’re welcome to turn the dinner into a strip edition.”
I swallowed hard. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that.”
I pulled out her seat for her and tucked it in behind her, pouring some vinaigrette over her salad before taking my own spot.
“Luca, this is fucking delicious. Did you make the dressing too?”
“Yep.”
“Spoiling me.”
I would spoil her for the rest of time if she would let me. She scarfed her way through the salad, clearly as hungry as she had said. I cleared the plates once she had finished, rinsed them, and loaded them into the dishwasher before plating up the entrée.
I almost dropped both plates when I turned back to the table. Luna had discarded her dress by the side of her chair, leaving her in a pink lace bra, panties, garter, and stocking set.
“Jesus Christ, you’re going to give me a heart attack before dinner is over.”
Luna only grinned. “You did agree to it being a strip dinner.”
