I let my eyes linger on her. “I will. I have a few photos of my parents I want to put up. Plus a few other motorcycle posters I have to get out of boxes.”
The water bubbled as the fettuccine came to the boil. “Can I help you with anything?” She licked her lips and it made me want to taste them again.
“Yes. You can chill out and enjoy your wine. You’re my guest and I want you to have fun.” Amusement played in her eyes.
“Okay.” She twisted the bottom of her wine glass in her hands. Even her long slender hands were sexy.
She propped her hand underneath her chin and continued scanning me. I spoke as I watched her right back. “Any patient you have will be in trouble.”
She frowned. “What makes you say that?” She sat up a little straighter.
I turned to her from the sink and looked her in the eyes. “Because you might cure them of one thing, but how will you cure them from heartbreak?” I grinned.
She threw back her head with laughter. “Mr. Funny Guy is back again. That was the corniest line ever.”
“Yeah, but it worked. You’re laughing,” I retorted.
“That’s true. Good point.”
“Not long now. I just gotta fry up the shrimp.”
“Okay,” she replied chirpily. “I’m enjoying the wine. It’s smooth. I like it.”
“Thank you. I’m not too bad a pick with my wines.” I pulled out my frying pan and sliced the knife through the butter, melting it in the pan. I sprinkled a little sea salt in, adding chopped garlic and laid down the shrimp, watching the pan sizzle.
“Can you smell that?” I sniffed. “Let the aroma hit you.” I smiled.
She giggled and took a sip of her wine. “Smells so good.”
I stirred in the rest of the ingredients and let the mixture simmer as I touched the tender pasta.
“Wow, I just noticed you laid out candles and everything. So sweet.”
“Hey, I’m a sweet guy. What can I say?”
“So far so good,” she responded.
“You’re worth thinking of.” I turned to see her reaction. She was playing with her hair, running her hands through it. Her magical mouth held a mysterious smile as she sipped her wine.
“Thank you. Let’s toast.”
“Good idea. Let’s toast to new beginnings.” We lifted our glasses in the air and clinked them together. Once I mixed all the ingredients for the sauce and drained the pasta, I plated up two dishes for us. “Plenty more if you want, so don’t worry. My guests never leave hungry. Have a seat at the table, beautiful.”
She moved to the table and waited as I placed the dish down in front of her. “Yum, yes, I can’t wait.”
I topped up her wine and finally sat with her. “Okay, now we’re ready.”
“Yes, we are.”
“How’s your last two weeks been?” I asked.
“I’ve been studying really hard. It’s frying my brain, but I think I’m going to be okay.” She curled the fettuccine around her fork and tasted. I waited. She closed her eyes and left a little cream sauce dripping from her chin.
We were sitting diagonally from one another, so I closed the gap. “Look at me for a minute.”
She turned and I wiped her chin with my thumb and sucked the sauce off it. Her mouth dropped open as her eyes narrowed.
“You had a little sauce there,” I told her huskily. I leaned back in my seat and took a bite.
