Page 75 of Brighter Together

“You stole food from my plate.”

“One potato.”

“It was the best one.”

“You were clearly saving it too long,” I give him what I hope to be a seductive little smile.

He shakes his head. “I’m adding theft to your personnel file. Alongside insubordination.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “What for?”

“You keep calling me sir.”

I laugh. “Your case would never stand up.”

“Why not?”

“Because…” I hold his gaze and let the word hang between us before adding slowly, “…you like it.”

His glass stops halfway to his mouth.

Got him.

The expression on his face makes me grin.

“You really enjoy making my life difficult,” he finally says before draining his glass.

“Maybe.”

The waiter arrives with dessert before either of us can take that any further.

A ridiculous version of Eton mess appears between us in a glass bowl, all berries, cream and tiny pieces of meringue.

“One?” I ask.

Tommy shrugs. “I told them we’d share.”

Something about that feels more intimate than it should.

We both reach for the spoon at the same time.

Our fingers touch.

I look up.

He leaves his hand where it is.

So do I.

Then his mouth curves.

“Ladies first.”

“Coward.”

“Polite.”

I take the spoon.