“Ah… Okay, that’s really romantic, and I should probably giggle and melt, but I know I’m onto something. I cannot be your goal, Kyle.Youhave to be your goal.”
How many times did he have to repeat himself? “I am, and I know what I want. You. Can we maybe forget all that’s happened since we came down the stairs and start our day over? You’re frowning, and I’m starting to tighten up.”
Her gaze flickered off. “We can’t stay in the Romance Shrine all the time. Real life exists. Until the zombies find us.”
He let his mouth curve. She was trying to meet him halfway. Right now, it was enough. “Clearly, I need new locks on the door. For the zombies.”
And their roommates. He’d originally envisioned this house as the Paris Roommates’ new home in Paris, but that had changed. The others had all left to live with their Plus Ones, and this place was now his home with Madison.
He wouldn’t barge in on anyone else without calling or texting. They would need some new ground rules, especially in relation to Sawyer and his studio. Because Doc did need to paint and feel like he could come to hisatelierwithout walking in on them.
Change.
He’d been riding its wave since he’d made the life-changing decision to come to Paris last August, break up with his fiancée, sell his share in his business, and start fresh here.
“We’ve managed to figure out everything so far,” he said gruffly, caressing the point of her chin. “I mean, look at us. I’m here with you in the kitchen in nothing but drawstring pants with love bites on my chest.”
“The sky has fallen for sure.” She shoved away. “Oh my God! Thepastelitos.I forgot them.”
She grabbed a potholder and had them out of the oven in mere seconds, dumping the pastries onto a cooling rack.
He wandered over, sniffing the fragrant air. “They aren’t burned.”
Wilting against the counter, she tossed aside the potholder. “Thank God! I’d planned to stuff my face with them. I only had the guava and pineapple ones last night before we went upstairs. I’m hoping there are other fillings.”
“Count on it.” He gave her a wink. “I’m thorough. You’ll find traditional fillings like cream cheese and coconut along with some savory ones with beef, cheese, and chicken.”
Her heartfelt sigh erased her earlier tension. Thank God for food.
“Let’s chow.” She arranged thepastelitosonto a platter and carried them over to their small dining table still set for two. “Maybe after we eat, we can dig into another carton of ice cream.”
His diaphragm eased. “I’d like that.”
Only, as she plated their food, his mind was on other matters.
He still had a long way to go before convincing her their relationship was going to be easy trails.
