Page 40 of Written with Love

Max exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. “So, I figured this weekend, I’d make dinner, something official.” He hesitated before adding, “Like a real date.”

Juliette slowly smiled. “Like… a for-real date?”

“Yeah.” He wrapped his arms around her waist. “A good meal, some wine, some good company.” He met her eyes. “Maybe a sleepover?”

She studied him for a moment, and he could practically see the wheels turning in her head. Then, a slow smile spread across her lips. “As long as you include dessert,” she said, “then I’m in.”

Relief washed over him, though he played it cool. “Oh, I’ll definitely have dessert. Just wait—you’re about to be seriously impressed.”

She laughed, shaking her head. “I already am, Max.”

The rest of the week zipped by. They finished work in his bathroom, including the glass wall and door for his shower, and had moved on to the other bathroom and bedrooms.

Then they hit a major pipe that brought in the water, soaking the bathroom and bedroom that it was attached to, and it took them two whole days to repair the mess.

Even that setback couldn’t dim his excitement for Friday night when it finally came. The water in the house was back on and he’d even decided on the dessert he was going to make with the salmon.

He’d never made a crème brûlée before but seriously, how hard could it be?

After the workers left Friday, Juliette headed home to shower and change. He had three hours before she would return expecting food, wine, dessert, and him.

First things first, he’d showered off the dirt and sweat from the day’s work before conquering the dessert. That way he could have plenty of time to chill it before they dug in after dinner.

Unfortunately, he burned the first batch and had to toss the entire pan out. The second one had been too runny. By the time his third try was chilling, he had less than fifteen minutes to prep the food and set the scene.

Running around the house, he quickly tossed the tablecloth on the table, which he had moved into the formal dining room, and set his new dishes and silverware on each placemat. Then he put the new candles he’d purchased from Classy and Sassy that week in the middle of the table and lit them. He got the salmon, which he had pre-seasoned, into the oven.

The veggies he put in his new air fryer, along with seasoning and butter.

He cooked up a box of rice while watching the salmon and veggies so they didn’t overcook. He didn’t have extra salmon and if he burnt it, the night would be ruined.

When he heard his doorbell ring, he smiled and pulled the salmon out of the oven and shut off his air fryer. Everything was done. All he had to do was plate it, and he figured he’d do that after she had arrived.

Wiping off his hands, he straightened his shirt and went to open the door with a huge smile on his face.

His eagerness for the night fell away quickly when he saw Gabriella standing there in a skimpy summer dress, looking fresh and eager.

“There you are.” She threw her arms around him and kissed him square on the lips before he could jerk away.

Just then, he heard someone clear their throat and, to his horror, he realized that Juliette was also standing on his front stoop.

Seeing the questioning look on her face freed him from his stupor. The sexy blue dress she was wearing hugged her curves and had his mouth drooling.

Pushing Gabriella back a whole step, he cleared his throat.

“Juliette.” He took her hand and pulled her closer to him. Seeing her smile slightly, he realized she knew what was up. Thankfully. “This is, um, Gabriella.”

“Yes,” Juliette said softly, “we met before you opened your door.”

“Juliette, that’s the one helping you with all your wonderful films that you’re making while working on… this place?” She glanced around slowly.

“She is,” he agreed, knowing full well Gabriella was trying to get invited inside.

That thought, the possibility of his evening with Juliette being ruined, had him trying desperately to figure out how to get her to leave quickly without being too rude.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t see any chance of that happening, not when she wrapped her arm around his and purred.

“So, why don’t you deal with whatever Juliette needs from you and then let me in? I’d simply love a tour of your new place.”