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He pulled out some frozen pre-cooked shrimp and a bag of mixed veggies. He had to boil a bag of rice. It was simple, he knew, but he could make it quick and it’d be healthy enough.
He dumped the veggies in a pan with some seasonings that he’d picked up and started to warm them up. A pan with hot water was started next for the rice.
Fifteen minutes later, everything was cooked in one pan and smelled pretty good.
His doorbell went off and George started to do his puppy bark but couldn’t go far with the gate in the way.
Rick jogged to the door, hoping it was Gillian and not some kids when he didn’t have the lights on or any candy.
“Hi,” she said, leaning in to kiss him.
“Come in,” he said. “I just finished cooking dinner if you want to join me.”
“It smells good,” she said. “What did you make?” She stepped over the gate, George came running to her and she bent down to get bathed by puppy kisses, and the giggle she let out made his heart race.
“Mixed vegetables, shrimp and rice.”
He grabbed two plates and handed one to her. “Wow,” she said. “I’m impressed!”
“Thanks,” he said. “I’m pretty proud of it myself.”
They sat and started to eat. “This is good. And healthy.”
“It was easy. I’ll admit it. And it tastes better than some frozen thing I would have thrown into the microwave.”
“I’m so glad to hear that.”
“So...my sister stopped over to let me see Harper. She noticed your car in the driveway last week.”
“Is that a problem?” she asked, grinning at him.
“No. I told her about you. She asked who your brother was when I said I saw you at the park. I assumed it was the same last name as you and she put him together with Whitney Butler?”
“That is my sister-in-law. Sorry. I didn’t think much of it and might have assumed you knew, but looking back you wouldn’t have.”
“No. It’s not a big deal. My sister asked when she could meet you.”
He saw her smile drop. “Do you want me to meet them or is it because she asked?”
“I’ve got no problem with it. I’m not used to telling my family when I’m dating. I haven’t lived around here in years, as you know. Why did you frown?”
“I haven’t said anything to my brother yet,” she said.
“Do you have to? Whitney knows, right? You told me that much.”
He had no idea where any of this was going.
“She does know. I planned on telling Trey soon. My parents too. I haven’t dated anyone more than a single date since I split with Mike.”
“Oh,” he said. “That’s been a few years?”
He was glad he was going slow with her. Holy crap. It’s possible she hadn’t had sex in two years then or so.
“Yes. So that means no physical contact either. I’m sure that just popped into your head.”
“It’s not a problem to me,” he said. “Is it to you?”
“No. I’ve only been with Mike,” she said, dipping her head down.
