Page 50 of Fools in Love

“Or?” She smiled and, still holding his flowers, wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

He brushed his lips across hers. “Or…take you back to my place and spend the night pleasing you again.”

“I like option number… two,” she said against his lips.

Just then Tom’s cell phone rang. Before answering it, he opened the passenger door for her. As she climbed in, she heard him answer the call.

He was frowning when he got behind the wheel. He’d already ended the call.

“Is everything okay?” she asked him.

He took a deep breath and then turned to her. “That was a call from my father.”

“What?” She held in a gasp. “How… how did he get your number?”

Tom shrugged. “I have no clue. But I’ve already blocked his number.” He started the car. “Don’t give him another thought.” He reached over and took her hand. He no doubt could see the worry in her eyes for him.

“Are you okay?” she asked as he drove the two and a half blocks to his place.

“I am.” He glanced over at her. “Do you need to stop at your place?” he asked as he slowed down by O’Neil’s.

“If you don’t mind.” She would need a change of clothing. She’d pulled her sweats on over her tights and had a pair of shorts in her bag, but if she was going to be doing gardening, she’d need other clothes.

“Sure.” He pulled into the parking lot. “You head up and grab what you need. I’ll grab us something inside for dinner.” He shut off the car just as his phone rang again.

“Is it him again?” she asked, trying to see his phone’s screen.

“Unknown caller. I’m not taking the chance.” He hit the button to send the call to voicemail.

He jumped out and walked around to open the door for her. Then he kissed her, and she tried to see just how he was feeling, but his eyes were shaded by his sunglasses.

“I’ll just be a minute,” she said, and then she headed towards her stairs.

It was great living above the grocery store, and the apartment had been what she’d wanted and needed at the time. But the more time she spent at Tom’s place, the more she hoped for something different. Like spaces for gardening and areas for dogs to run.

She threw some clothes into a bag and was just coming down the stairs when Tom stepped out of the store with two bags in his arms.

“Did you get everything you needed?” he asked. She could tell instantly he was even more annoyed than when he’d walked into the store. Hearing his phone go off, she guessed why.

“You can just turn it off,” she suggested.

“Nope, on call.”

She set her bag in the back seat of his car along with the groceries he’d gotten and pulled out her phone.

“Hi, Aiden,”

“Hey, Kate. I see that your about ready to open your new studio. We’re sure proud of you,” Aiden said.

“Thanks.” She smiled. “Hey, Tom is having issues with his cell phone tonight. If you need him, can you call mine instead?” she asked, her eyes going to Tom. She smiled when he visibly relaxed.

“Sure thing,” Aiden said easily. “Have a great night.”

“You, too.” She hung up, then reached into his pocket for this phone. It still ringing with an unknown caller ID when she switched it off. “Better?” she asked as Tom pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

“Much.” He sighed. “I’m afraid I might have angry shopped.” He motioned to the car.

She chuckled. “I know. I saw a box of Ding Dongs in there.”