“I was wondering if you’d let me cook dinner for you tonight.”
“What?” Lily-Grace let out a shocked burst of laughter.
“I wanted to cook dinner for you tonight.”
Lily-Grace muted the television and sat up on the couch, thinking how the hell to respond. She had plans to torture him a bit longer. None of those plans involved him making her dinner.
“Are you still there?”
He should bottle his voice,Lily-Grace thought.Sell it at different tones and levels. It could heal the world. Or at least the horniest people in need.
“I’m here.” She folded the corner of her throw blanket over her leg, then folded it back. “I’m just wondering how you spoke with a therapist and completed a full anger management course since Monday. That’s impressive.”
“I haven’t done all that, but I do have an appointment with a Dr. Kenneth Brooks next Tuesday. He specializes in anger issues.”
“The first step is admitting you have a problem. Bravo.”
“So, about dinner.”
Lily-Grace let out another sigh and glanced at the TVHot Benchwas over. Suddenly this game with Jesse Pleasant wasn’t fun anymore. “Look, Jesse, I’ll be honest. I just got out of a thing. An intense thing that hurt to end. I don’t think dinner is a good idea. Not tonight. But, if one day I decide to change my mind about spending time with you on purpose... who—who would tell me the truth about you?” Not that it mattered because she wouldn’t change her mind.
The version of this scenario in her mind didn’t exist. There wouldn’t be a heated argument over sound investments that would boil over into a passionate make-out session, ending with some of the best, long dick sex she’d ever experienced. The reality would be awkward and unsatisfying and then she’d be left cold and full of regret, wondering still what the fuck she was going to do next.
Still, she liked to believe there was someone besides her in Jesse’s life who wouldn’t sugarcoat things if she did become sad and lonely enough. If she decided to stay in Charming.
“Lilah, my cousin. She knows me better than anyone and she’d give you an honest and thorough report and throw in some embarrassing stuff for shits and giggles.”
“Hmm, good to know. One more thing: You tell me something about you, something no one knows. I like a man to be vulnerable with me before he poisons me with his bad cooking.”
“I’m an amazing cook,” he said, very seriously. That shift in his voice did something else to her, sparked something between her legs she should absolutely ignore. It was the sadness and the disappointment talking. Not genuine attraction.
“Well, no one knows I’m going to therapy, but they’ll know eventually. I don’t keep many things from my family.”
“Okay, fine—”
“I might run for office,” he said, suddenly. “I’ve been approached to consider filling the district seat. Paul Cooger isn’t going to run again.”
“Good, I hate that demon. Wait. Is that why you asked me to dinner? Looking to grease up a first lady?”
“What? No.”
“I get it. Even Booker managed to get a girlfriend for the primaries, but politics aren’t for me, Pleasant. Though I am pretty tall. We’d photograph together well.”
“No, I—Lily—Grace, I just wanted to have you over for dinner, as friends.” Lily-Grace squeezed her eyes shut. The sounds of her ego deflating echoed like loud fart noises in her ears. “You’ve been away so long, and I obviously didn’t help you feel that great about coming back to town. I just thought we could catch up. I’d love to hear about your time at Clutch and Ulway. If you’re up for it.”
“Dinner as friends.”
“I grill a mean steak or if need be, Evie has been helping me perfect some vegetarian options.”
“I’m fine with meat, but um—tonight is no good. I have plans tonight with my dad.”
“Lily-Grace,” he said slowly, his voice sliding over her skin like a kiss. “How are you going to give me all this shit about my temper and you can’t even tell me the truth? Your dad has plans with my grandmother tonight. My cousin told me so I wouldn’t be caught off guard again.”
“Where are you right now?” she blurted out. For some reason dirty thoughts of Jesse in his office filled her mind. She really needed help.
“I’m in my office.”
“Oh. Well, I’m just—tonight is not a good night. Maybe some other time. As friends, of course.”
