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What does that mean for us though? Our relationship is complicated enough without catching feelings.
Except that seems to have already happened.
Chapter28
Fiona
I’m not a great cook so I order from his favorite take-out place, this barbecue restaurant a couple blocks away. I have everything set up when he gets home, looking exhausted from a long day at the office. I want to do something nice for him—the way he did something nice for me.
A small surprise to ease some of his tension. Maybe even to bring a smile to his face.
The more I’m around him, the more I think he needs this sort of surprise in his life. He has his friends, his work, but he spends so much time doing things for other people.
He deserves to have something done for him for a change.
“Here’s to a long day,” Gareth says, pouring two glasses of wine and toasting me.
“Here’s to very thoughtful gifts.”
He sits down with a sigh, takes off his tie, rolls his sleeves up to show off his lovely forearms, and starts to eat. I watch him for a moment, picking at my plate, my guts a nervous roil, but Cait’s right. If someone’s going to make the first move, it might as well be me.
And anyway, I consider that random present his way of breaking the ice.
“We should talk about Boston,” I say, leaning forward on my elbows.
“We can do that.” He glances up. “Anything in particular?”
“I was thinking we’d discuss living arrangements.”
He smirks, sitting back. “You mean, we’re not getting a one-bedroom? You can sleep on the couch if you don’t want to be in my bed.”
“Actually, I’m leaning toward getting an efficiency. Really make sure we’re on top of each other.”
“I like the sound of that. I think I’d enjoy having you on top of me. Except I’m not sure I could exist in your chaos.”
“Chaos?” I gasp, mock-offended. “How dare you. I’m the neat one in this relationship!”
“You don’t know how to close cabinets, much less beneat.” He’s grinning at me, looking looser than he has in days. More like beach-Gareth. “Seriously though. If you want to look for apartments, I wouldn’t mind.”
That surprises me. “Really? You’d give up control?”
“I didn’t say that. I mean I’d take your choices under advisement.”
I snort, shaking my head. “Heck, no. If I’m apartment hunting, I’m making a short list you can pick from. How about that?”
He considers for a moment before nodding. “That works for me. But I have some requirements.”
“Like what? Dungeon for your toe-less murder victims?”
His eyebrows raise. “My what now?”
“Nothing. Never mind.”
He looks like he wants to dig into that, but decides to let it go. “We need something nice. Spacious. Home gym. Lots of windows. Price range up to a few million.”
“A fewmillion?” I gape at him. “How much money do youhave?”
“A lot,” he says, clearly amused. “Working for criminals pays well.”
