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datory gaze.
“Well?” he asks.
“Wow.” I savor the flavor on my tongue. “It’s delicious,” I say, honestly. “It’s very flavorful.”
“I had some expert advice this afternoon from an older lady in the grocery store. I was wandering around like a lost puppy, and she basically placed everything in my basket. You can thank Google for the recipe.” He chuckles, taking a bite.
“It’s seriously so good.” I moan again, and I’m certain I hear a growl forming in his throat. I take another bite with a louder moan just to watch his reaction. “I could eat this every single day and never get sick of it,” I add, thinking I might actually finish this entire plate full though it’s way too much food.
“I think I could make that happen.” He smirks, finally take a bite of his own food.
“So about your offer,” I finally say, knowing he’s on edge waiting to hear my answer.
Tate puts down his fork and brings his napkin to his perfect, smiling lips.
“Yeah?” He’s intrigued and watches me intently.
“I’d be honored to go with you to Chicago, but there’s a catch,” I say.
“There usually is.” He’s grinning, and I get the vibe that he doesn’t care what it is.
I put down my fork and choose my words carefully. “I want to get to know you better. I mean, how can I go to Chicago and pretend to be your fiancée when I don’t know anything about you?”
“Fair enough.” Tate nods in agreement.
“I can’t pretend to be your fiancée if I don’t even know your last name,” I explain.
For a moment Tate looks tense. He stares down at his food and contemplates telling me.
“Is there something wrong?” I ask.
“No, it’s just…hard to talk about.”
“Okay. Well, take your time.” I don’t understand what he has to hide but don’t push him.
He’s deep in contemplation, and now I’m the one staring.
“If you want to get to know me, you’ll need to live here until we leaving then,” he finally says. “I guess I have a catch too.”
“What?” I didn’t expect him to say that at all.
“It’s the most sensible solution. We’ll get to know each other and living together is the best way to do that. Learn one another’s quirks, routines, likes, dislikes…all of it. My family is going to expect we know those things about one another.”
“You don’t think that’s overkill?” I realize the ridiculousness of my own statement.
“You’re the one that wanted to get to know me,” Tate reminds me with a teasing grin.
I sit there for a moment and think it over. He’s being completely logical about this, and he’s right. I’m not sure what I expected. Maybe to ask him questions and learn everything I can about him in one night but now I can see that’s not going to be possible. It’s like studying for an exam, but if I’ll be around his family, they’ll all have the key. “I guess you’re right.”
“You’re not eating enough pasta.” Tate notices I haven’t touched my pasta since we started the conversation about Chicago.
I laugh and try to push the thoughts away as I eat. The mood shifts and things become slightly awkward, and I’m worried this is what it’ll be like with Tate for the next two weeks, though I haven’t actually agreed to live with him. Not yet, at least.
“Why is it so hard to talk about yourself?” I ask.
“Do you like to talk about yourself?” Tate challenges with a popped eyebrow.
I think about it for a moment. “Not really.”
