“Well, I guess.” She studied him. “This isn’t you feeling sorry for me or thinking I’m poor is it? I can afford my own food.”
“It’s actually me being cheap, because I’ll be getting amazing meals at a quarter of the price. But it’s no pressure if you say no. I’m not trying to strongarm you into being with me or anything.”
Great. She’d tried to do the right thing by not taking over his house, and thus his life. But he seemed hurt by her hesitance. “Fine. I’m happy to cook at your place. But you have to promise that any time you don’t want me to come over, you’ll tell me. I don’t want to be so intrusive you get sick of me.” The idea that Smith wouldn’t want her anymore caused a minor sense of déjà vu—watching Cody walk away.
Smith nodded and held out a hand. She took it, and the key, then gasped when he pulled her in for a kiss that turned her into a needy mess. He let her go, and she sagged against the nearby wall.
“Something else I have to tell you.” Smith looked bothered, and not because of the kiss.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, you and I said we should be honest with each other. I’m not real good at the dating stuff. At least, I wasn’t been back when I dated.”
“Which was how long ago?”
“A few years.”
She didn’t believe that for a second. “A few years?”
“Having sex isn’t dating. I told you that before.” He gave her a small grin. “Anyway, I wanted you to know that I didn’t like those plumbers hanging so close to you. I felt…jealous.” He blew out a breath. “I also felt like a horse’s ass for being possessive. But before I could wrap my head around it, you called me your boyfriend.”
“That was okay, wasn’t it?”
“It was more than okay. I felt like a moron for being so happy.” He sighed. “I’ve been a moron for the better part of my day.”
She laughed and moved in for a hug. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she put her head against his chest and closed her eyes. “I like you being a moron.”
“Thanks.” His voice rumbled against her ear, deep and calming. “I’m sure I’ll continued to be an idiot and make you deliriously happy soon enough.”
“Smith, I don’t want you to feel jealous, but I’d be lying if I wasn’t glad you don’t like me with other people. I feel the same way about you.”
He glanced down at her as she looked up. “You do?” The hope on his face tugged at her to promise more. But she couldn’t. Not yet. Not until she dealt with her past and figured out why she’d made such a mistake with the wrong guy—who hadn’t seemed wrong at the time.
“I do.” Crap. With the phraseI do, her thoughts immediately flashed to an aisle, a white dress, and a sexy, scowly groom. She hurried to wipe that from her mind and added, “We should always be honest with each other.” She paused, wanting to get it out in the open. “At some point I’ll have to talk to Cody to get some closure.”
His face closed. “Why? Because you still want him around?”
“No. But I’m entitled to some answers. And he wants to talk to me. He’s been leaving me messages.”
He considered her for a moment. “Makes sense. He should apologize. I can come with you. You know. For moral support.”
“No.” He didn’t seem to like that. “I have to do this on my own. But I’m so glad you offered.”
He didn’t seem mollified. “Just… there’s no rush to see him is there? Take your time and settle in here more. Make your videos. Get your life back on track.” His ghost of a grin started that fluttery L-word buzzing inside her. “You know, be with your amazing boyfriend and feed him all that good stuff from your soon-to-be famous show.”
“I can do that.” She tilted her face up and accepted his kiss, wishing he would stick around to finish what he started. But Smith had to get back to work.
And Erin had to make a phone call.
It was time to stop dithering and make some decisions.
She clutched his key in her hand.
Chapter Fifteen
“And that, friends, is how you make Carrot Cake Perfection cupcakes.” Erin smiled and signed off her cooking channel, the video one she prerecorded so she could edit before posting.
Three days had gone by since Smith had given her his key. Three days since she’d been catching up on filming. She’d made unicorn whips, a mean chocolate mousse-inspired delight that Tilly had gobbled up in seconds, and today’s carrot cake cupcake with out-of-this-world frosting.
