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“Come here. You look exhausted, Andrea.”
She dropped her things in the middle of the floor and walked straight into my arms. I wrapped her up as tightly as I could, listening as she drew in deep breaths. I stoked my fingers through her beautiful auburn hair before I placed a kiss on top of her head. I felt her wrap her arms around me, burying herself into me. I felt her mold to me as I slowly swayed us side to side, rocking her and trying to relieve the tension that had risen up in her body.
“Come on. Let’s get you some dinner. Okay?” I asked.
“It smells delicious,” she said breathlessly.
“Well, I hope you like it. I’ve got gumbo over rice for dinner, sweet tea to drink, and a little ice cream bar for us to enjoy for dessert while we watch a movie.”
“Oh, I don’t have a DVD player, Everett. I’m sorry.”
“You do now.”
I felt her brow furrow as she slowly pulled away from me. Then, she released me and strode into her living room. I grinned and leaned against the kitchen counter as I folded my arms over my chest. She gawked at the television I purchased. Ran her eyes over the shining DVD player. Graced her gaze over the selection of DVDs I’d purchased specifically for her.
“You did not,” she said.
“I did.”
“Everett, how much did this cost you?”
“Not nearly as much as you’d think. I hit a sale because I figured it would make you feel better.”
“Everett Wilder, you bought me a television.”
“And a DVD player. See?” I asked
She glared at me as I pointed and a chuckle fell from my lips.
“Stop buying me things,” she said.
“Never.”
“Stop spending money on me.”
“Not a chance.”
“I don’t want you for the things you can buy me.”
“I know that, Andrea.”
Then, she sighed as a smile crossed her cheeks.
“Thank you so much. For everything,” she said.
“Come on. It’s time to eat. We don’t want our gumbo getting cold. Because trust me, I’d rather drink warm beer than eat cold gumbo.”
“Both of those sound gross,” she said as she walked over to the kitchen table.
“Trust me, both of them are gross.”
I pulled out her chair for her and she sat down, and I helped her scoot as close to the table as she wanted to be. I sat down in front of her and divvied up the gumbo, filling her bowl before pouring some over. She smiled as she drew in a deep breath, allowing the scents and the smells to waft up her nose.
“Oh my gosh, my mouth’s already watering,” she said.
“Well, I really hope you enjoy it,” I said.
She moaned and hummed all the way through dinner. And the sounds were music to my ears. She smiled with every bite she took, and she ate so quickly I couldn't get a word of conversation in edgewise. That was how I knew a dinner was always a success. If those I cooked for were more eager to eat than talk. I grinned as I watched her. I saw her features come alive. Her body filled itself with energy and her eyes lit up, and soon Andrea was piercing the comfortable silence between us with her voice.
