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“Fine, who took a dump in your frosty wheat flakes?”
“Me,” I grunted, annoyed at the interruption.
“Gross. Why would you do a thing like that?” Antonio was feeling playful and I wasn’t in the mood, which made me feel like an asshole.
“Because, Antonio, I am an idiot. What are you doing here?”
“De-pissing your next meal.” He produced a cloth bag from behind his back, a move that filled my office with the most delicious smells. He took a step forward and unpacked the large container with a flourish. “Wine braised steak with onions, garlic and mushrooms, mashed potatoes and butter roasted asparagus.”
“For me? What’s the catch?”
His lips spread into a knowing smile. “From a secret admirer.” Antonio produced a card and handed it to me. “Don’t screw it up.” Then he was gone.
I looked down at the card and smiled. “It’s not a nooner, not today. But soon. Very soon and every day after. ~P.”
Persephone. She finally answered.
I picked up the phone and tapped the image of her mid-laugh, eating while the phone rang. “Dr. Vanguard,” she answered, a smile in her voice.
“Thanks for the lunch, Doctor. It was a nice surprise.”
She laughed and the sound was beautiful, melodic with a hint of heat. “I’m a nice girl.”
“No, you’re not.”
She gasped. “I’m not?”
“No,” I growled. “You’re a naughty girl, and I like that about you.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me, smiling at her flirtatious tone. “Oh yeah. Are you free tonight?”
“No. I have a hot date with a really sexy mechanic. Seven thirty. Don’t be late.” With those words, she disconnected the call, leaving me staring at a black screen in confusion.
My phone buzzed a moment later with a message from Persephone. “Your place. Bring dessert.”
My place? I didn’t question it, but I did spend most of the day planning how I would make the most of whatever she had planned for the night. After lunch, I ran home to clean my house. It wasn’t dirty, not even bachelor filthy as Persephone liked to say, but I put all the dirty clothes in the laundry room, put the beer bottles in the recycling bin in the mudroom and wiped down every surface before taking out the trash.
When Persephone showed up tonight, I wanted to show her exactly what a life with me would look like. Granted, it wouldn’t be much different than how things were now, only we would be together, building a future. Our future.
With one task complete, I got started on to the next. Dessert.
“Megan, hey.”
She looked up from the bakery counter with a smile. “Ryan, hey. What are you doing here?”
“Dessert. Pecan pie brownies.” They were Persephone’s favorite but she rarely bought them for herself, and when she did, she always felt guilty about it.
Megan’s lips pulled into a knowing smile. “How many?”
“The whole pan.” Surprise flashed in her eyes, but Megan kept her mouth shut. “And a jar of that edible caramel.”
She gasped with excitement and nodded, boxing up the brownies quickly and silently, before she went to the back to retrieve the caramel. “The caramel is on the house. Consider it an investment in my friend’s future happiness.”
I smiled, but I wouldn’t confirm or deny anything. “Thanks, Megan.”
“I’m rooting for you, Ryan!”
I tossed a wave over my shoulder and laughed at Megan’s excitement. Still, it was nice to know there were other people who thought Persephone and I would be good together.
No, we would be great together.
Persy
It was seven forty-five and Ryan hadn’t shown up. He was late for the most important dinner of our relationship and he hadn’t even called. To say I felt silly and rejected, would be an understatement.
I’d spent all day putting plans in place for tonight. Instead of having Antonio make the meal, I did it myself, following his step by step instructions. The lamb and potato casserole bubbled in the oven while the salad chilled in the fridge. A bottle of champagne sat in a bucket beside the sofa. The stage was set for romance.
And more.
But Ryan was late.
He wasn’t coming.
Then I heard the telltale slide of the key in the door and I sat up taller on the sofa and pushed myself to my feet. “Persephone.” Surprise colored his tone and I frowned.
“I said seven thirty.” I kept my tone even because I wasn’t mad, maybe a little hurt. “Did you forget?”
“No, I just thought you were coming over when I got home. Sorry.” He toed off his boots and sighed. “Some kids tossed a brick through the Sheriff’s patrol car. It was a quick fix so I did it myself.”
“Is he all right?”
“He’s fine,” Ryan said and waved a dismissive hand. “Nice robe.”
I smiled and looked down at the black silk with a shrug. “This old thing?”
“I like it.” Heat burned his blue eyes until they were practically black. “A lot.” He sniffed the air. “Did you cook?”
