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“What are you doing?”
She didn’t mean the meat sauce he poured over the pasta. He stuffed the large spoon into the bowl and mixed the two together and sprinkled the whole thing with a heavy dusting of Parmesan cheese. His thoughts in order, he gave her the only answer that really made sense.
He took the flowers from her hand and set them on the counter before drawing her close.
“I’m making up for lost time. When I got here, I didn’t feel anything. Numb from the inside out. The war ... I thought it killed everything good inside of me. Then you came along. As much as my nightmares keep me awake, you share the blame.”
Summer turned and stared at the beautiful dining room table set with her pretty dishes and crystal wine glasses, flowers, and a dozen flickering votive candles. The fire crackled in the stone hearth, adding to the intimate atmosphere. The tree glowed with tiny white lights, decorated for the holiday much like the tree they put up at the big house.
Caleb bent and kissed her on the side of the neck. “Do you like it?”
Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. Touched beyond words, she didn’t know what to say. Overwhelmed and incredibly happy, she placed her hand over his on her stomach and gave it a squeeze.
“This is amazing.”
“You’re amazing for putting up with me these past months. What you did for me last night ... I needed to sleep and shut down and not think. With you, I could let go.”
She turned to face him, standing so close her breasts brushed against his chest with every breath. The tension between them burned as hot as the fire behind her. She reached up and touched his face, tracing her fingers over his cheek and jaw, down his throat to rest on his chest.
“You look better today.”
“I feel better, thanks to you.” He took her hand and kissed her palm. “Let’s eat dinner. I got your favorite dessert.”
As much as he wanted her—and she knew he did—he wanted to give her this night. Not just a simple dinner date, but one he’d planned and executed especially for her. He’d seen to every detail and prepared everything just the way she liked it. The man had been paying attention even when she thought at one time he barely noticed her. She didn’t want to deny him, or herself, this opportunity to sit and eat and be together as a couple, not just friendly companions. They’d stepped past the invisible line they never crossed last night. She’d seen Caleb at the limit of exhaustion, hurting and trying to hide it. He’d stopped pretending they were and would always remain only friends. She took a second to bask in her victory and pressed her lips together to hide the smile.
“What is that look?”
“Nothing. I’m happy, that’s all.”
He drew her by the hand to the table and held out her chair. She sat and draped her napkin across her lap. He brought the large bowl of pasta. The garlic bread smelled amazing, and luckily had survived the broiler. Before he sat, Caleb poured her a glass of wine and she took a sip. He took the chair at the head of the table next to her. She smiled. He didn’t want to sit all the way across from her. No, he’d set the table so they sat close.
She reached over and put her hand on his. “This is really wonderful. All of it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
He held the pasta so she could scoop a portion onto her plate before he did the same for himself. He filled her salad bowl and his own. She grabbed two slices of garlic bread for herself and put two more on his plate. He smiled. She smiled. Everything felt right and they settled in and took the first bite.
She closed her eyes and let out a satisfied hum. “This is so good.”
“I think you’re just hungry. It’s one of three things I can cook well.”
“What are the other two?”
“Steaks and baked potatoes on the grill, and omelets.”
“You do cook an awesome steak.” He and Jack manned the grill many nights, but she didn’t mention her brother. Tonight, she wanted to keep things just him and her. She sensed he felt the same way. “I can’t wait for the omelet,” she added, giving him a seductive smile.
He swallowed hard, getting her reference that he might be here to share breakfast with her in the morning.
“So, dear, how was your day?” he asked, teasing like they were an old married couple. “What’s the gossip down at the beauty parlor?”
She laughed, and it felt good to share this moment with him. “It’s not called a beauty parlor anymore. It’s a salon.”
“That’s just another word for high-priced haircuts.”
“You never complained when you came in.”
“That’s because you were touching me.”
