Get it together, Jamie. It’s just dinner.
But it feels like more than that.
She swings the door open and I’m struck by her natural beauty. Damn, she’s a vision. Her smile lifts her freckled cheeks, setting off the cutest crinkles at the corners of her eyes. Her hair is pulled up in a casual top knot and several tendrils have broken free to frame her face.
“Going to come in?” she quips, then bites at her bottom lip.
“Aye. Of course. Thanks.” I step through the doorway and watch the way her jeans hug her curves when she turns to shut it. She has a basic white tee tucked into them that accents her waist and does nothing to hide her cleavage with the low V-neckline. Her feet are bare, toenails painted a crisp green to match her fingers.
Fingers that brush my arm and catch my attention as they slide up to grip my bicep. “It’s just dinner, Jamie.”
But it’s neverjustanything when it comes to Avi, not now. Every minute, experience, and touch with her feels like a gift.
I toe my shoes off and line them up next to hers by the door, then watch her ass sway as she walks back down the hall. “I’ve never actually had a woman cook me dinner before…”
“Never?” she asks, and I follow her voice to the kitchen. She laughs, but at the look on my face, she says, “You’re serious?”
“Aye. I really never dated—like this.” I wave my arms around us like it can encompass the way she and I are dating in comparison to the way I dated women back in Tahoe.
“Like this?” she asks, eyebrow cocked in question.
I splay my hands on the counter and hang my head. “I never really did the relationship thing, or saw anyone for more than a couple dates. I never wanted anything serious.” I lift my head and her eyes are locked on me.
“And that’s different because… we’re serious?” There’s genuine curiosity in her question.
“I am.” I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.
She nods and looks away to hide her smile. “I guess that explains why I never saw you with anyone.”
Why she…? “Yeah, you’re going to have to explain,” I say, my brow furrowing.
She goes beet red and hinges at the waist to check something in the oven. “I’ve followed you on socials for a long time. I never saw a consistent woman in your life—other than Rory.”
She did? “I would’ve noticed if you followedme—”
“It’s not an account with my name.” She looks at me now, her blush spreading down the V of her shirt. “I’m sorry… I know I shouldn’t have done that. It’s actually how I found out about your publishing deal. I saw it that day at the airport.”
Remorse crashes over her features, a look of sadness and raw emotion so strong it pulls me toward her like an undercurrent. I wrap my arms around her and press my forehead against hers. “Avi, don’t go back there. Not while I’m right here. It’s in the past. Yeah?”
She nods and her forehead slides against mine.
“I’m sor—” she begins, and I silence her with a kiss. One that lights my blood on fire and makes me come alive for her… Only her.
I back her into the counter, caging her in with my arms… but the buzzer on the oven interrupts us before I can lift her onto it. Damn. She pulls away, her gaze heavy with want.
She opens the oven, speaking over her shoulder. “So there was never a girl who caught your eye? Rory never…”
I hate that this is still a concern for her.
“Never. I love her, but it’s never been like that for us. And in case you need a little more confirmation of that, the day I flew here, she was flying back from Australia where she followed the love of her life. Now he’s moving to Tahoe with his daughter next month to be with her. And I couldn’t be happier for them both.”
“Oh. Okay.”
She seems stunned that I gave her that much information, but I don’t ever want her to feel inferior.
I walk over and tug the oven mitt off her hand so I can place it over my heart. “There is no competition. No one has ever come close to making me feel this way.”
She blinks, quiet tears forming while pink blooms in her cheeks. “Well, that conversation took a turn I wasn’t expecting.” She chuckles and swipes at her eyes. “Come on, let’s eat.”
