He hustled inside, wrapping me in his arms, not answering my question. He nuzzled my neck and I heard him breathing me in. “I didn’t want to presume I could use the key,” he mumbled into my neck.
I couldn’t resist taking a long inhale of him—stale scotch, mint, and pure Danny. “Welcome home,” was all I said as Rourke jumped at his ankles.
I’d decided at eleven, as he’d texted and said he was in row thirty-two, seat F, that I’d already forgiven him for his boyish jealousy.
“Home?” He pulled back, looking at me, raising an eyebrow.
“I decided I don’t want a life that doesn’t have you in it.”
His lips grazed my forehead. “Did you also decide honesty becomes you?”
“Yeah, and you need a shower and a nap. And I need to get to work.”
With his mouth still on my skin, he said, “I’ll be here when you get back.”
“Will you look after Rourke? I can cancel the walker…”
He nodded and mouthed,Go.
Now, as I walked back in the door, he stood waiting with a wineglass in one hand, wearing dark jeans and a white golf shirt. And, wait for it, a dish towel tossed over his shoulder.
“Hey,” he said, leaning over and kissing my cheek before handing me the glass.
It was summer, so I didn’t have a coat and I’d dropped my bag by the door. “Hi. I want to ask, or maybe I don’t,” I said, eyeing the towel.
“Come on,” he beckoned, Rourke at his feet.
“Is that a bow tie on Rourke?”
“It sure is. Meet maître d’ Rourke…”
Stepping into the kitchen, I took in the mess—pots, pans, towels, and jars everywhere. With a raised eyebrow, I set down my wine and went to wash my hands.
Using a paper towel, I finally spoke. “Um, I have a lot of questions. But mostly, I don’t recall having a bow tie for my dog, so maybe we should start there?”
Daniel leaned back into the counter and said, “Take a sip of wine, Birdie.”
I did as I was told, figuring the wine might help wash away the apocalypse happening in my kitchen.
“Well?” I asked after allowing the Cabernet to burn my throat.
“First, I want to say that I’m not here to freeload or take over your life. I messed up last time, and I don’t intend to do that again. If you’ll have me back, I plan to do something with my day other than being your bitch.”
“I never thought you were my…bitch.”
“I’m joking, but I do need an outlet for me. I don’t want to take away your career, and if you’re here, I want to be with you.If you don’t want me to move right back in, I can go to the Four Seasons.”
“That’s stupid,” I blurted out. One minute I was thinking we rushed, and the next I was hanging on by a thread at the idea of Daniel not moving back in with me.
“I don’t want to pressure you. I need to say I’m sorry again. I was an idiot.”
“You were.”
“Good, then we agree on something.” He pushed off the counter and moved toward me, gathering me in his arms. “Birdie, I’m in love with you. I want you to be my present and future in whatever capacity you’ll have me.”
I swallowed. I didn’t know what any of this meant. “Was that a proposal? Because I thought we were in the middle of making up and then you were going to explain what the hell is going on in my kitchen.”
“Would it be a yes?” He pinched my butt, yanking me in for a kiss.
