A kiss would get you that, no problem.She cleared her throat. “What kind of coffee?”
“I didn’t know if you were a coffee drinker, so I brought one coffee and one cocoa. And there are pastries from Sofa’s in the bag. That’s why I’m late. Huge line at the bakery.”
“I don’t think I’ve been to Sofa’s.”
He blinked. “Seriously? They’re the go-to in Seattle for baked goods.”
“Huh. I’ll have to try them.” She grabbed the bag and let him bring in the cups, belatedly feeling the cold. She shut the door behind him. It seriously felt like it should snow outside. “So where’s Sofa’s?”
“Green Lake, right off the lake, as a matter of fact.”
“You went all the way to Green Lake for doughnuts?”
“Pastries. And don’t judge until you’ve tried their apple fritters.”
“I’m sensing you have a sweet tooth, Revere.”
He followed her past the small, enclosed dining area into her galley kitchen, making no effort to hide his curiosity as he looked around. “Neat, compact, organized. Just like you.” He turned that panty-melting grin her way.
To save her dignity, she took one of the cups he carried and took a cautious sip. “Cocoa. Yum.”
He drank from the other one and made a face. “Do you have any creamer?”
“Lightweight.” She grabbed him some hazelnut-flavored half-and-half. “This is all I have.”
“It’ll do.” He stirred a healthy amount into his cup and took a sip. “Ah, much better. Do you have a plate for these?” He nodded to the bag.
She grabbed a plate and turned to see him staring at her butt. “Caught you.”
“Staring at the amazing countertop.” He nodded. “Is that ceramic?”
“Formica.” He had been staring at her ass. Hadn’t he? She handed him the plate and watched as he took out a lot more food than she’d thought the bag might contain. “So, do you live in Green Lake then?”
“Huh? Oh, no. I’m Hillman City. Just east of you.” He grinned. “Neighbor.”
“Ugh. I think I just felt my house value decrease.”
He chuckled. “This place is cute. Are you into house projects?”
“I would be if I had the time. It’s a constant work in progress.” She settled with him in the dining room at her cozy table and set down their plates.
He took two pastries and put them both in front of her. “You have to try the apple fritter, then the danish.”
“Pushy.”
“I grew up with three older brothers. You don’t push, you don’t get respect.”
“Huh. I’m an only child.”
“I can tell.”
She frowned at him.
He just waited.
She bit into the apple fritter first, and wonder exploded in her mouth and brain simultaneously. After chewing that bite and several more, she managed, “That’s amazing.”
“Told you.” He was cute when smug and polished off his fritter and two pastries in the time it took her to finish savoring her apple fritter. He watched her, a curious expression on his face.
