AllFreeNovel
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Have fun.
Claire: What? I meant plans for us. I’m bringing something home I want you to try.
Don’t smile. Don’t smile. Don’t smile.
He failed miserably, grinning at the screen.
Graham: That’s cool, too. What is it?
Claire: It’s a surprise.
Graham: Are you making me try something new again?
Claire: You liked the couscous, don’t even try to pretend you didn’t.
Graham: Fluke. You better be bringing pizza or tacos
Claire: Nope
Graham: Does it at least go with beer?
Claire: -ish
Graham: I’ll make backup plans just in case
Claire: Wuss
Graham laughed and tossed his phone on the bed, startling Gertrude awake. He scratched her ears. “Sorry, sweets.”
He turned on the TV and watched the news until he heard Claire come in. Gertrude barked and leaped off the bed and was out the door before he could even grab his crutches. He made it into the kitchen several seconds behind his dog, and pretended not to notice the sweet voice Claire spoke to her in.
“Nothing in here for you.”
Okay, it wasn’t exactly sweet. But she didn’t call Gertie a “devil dog” or a “little jerk.” Something good was happening there.
“Can’t say I’d be heartbroken if you said the same thing to me,” he announced.
“What are you, five? How about you try it before deciding you don’t like it?”
He sighed and pulled out a chair. “You’re right.” He sat and propped his crutches against the table. “What do we have here?”
“It’s a bunch of appetizers and desserts from this place I love in Capitol Hill. They use mostly locally sourced food and make everything fresh in-house, even the bread. It’s to die for.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad.”
“Told you.” She pulled several boxes out of the bag and placed them on the table, pointing at each. “Charcuterie spread. Hummus. Stuffed mushrooms. Apple tart. Chocolate cheesecake.”
“I call the cheesecake.”
“What? You can’t just call the cheesecake. We share.”
Graham lifted his chin a notch. “How big is it?”
“I paid for this stuff and brought it home. You’d seriously take the best dessert and not let me have even a bite?”
“Okay. You can have one bite.”
“Have I told you lately what an asshole you are?”
