She presses her lips into a firm line as she sits on the bed and follows my instructions.
“Don’t even think about peeking. I’ll know if you do.”
“Just hurry up. You’re killing me.”
I glide across the room and set the tray down in front of her then gently pull her hands from her face. “You can look now.”
When her eyes land on the sundae, her face fills with a smile bigger than Texas. The glass is at least the size of her head and filled to the brim with brownies, chocolate ice cream, and chocolate fudge.
“Don’t get too excited because we do have to share,” I tease.
“Yeah right! You’ll have to get your own.” She snatches the sundae with both hands and leaps off the bed.
I gasp and bound after her, just barely catching her before she can lock herself in the bathroom. “I can’t believe you just did that!”
She shrugs. “I had to at least try. This looks heavenly.”
“New rule: the sundae has to stay on the bed at all times.”
“Second rule: I get three bites for every one bite you get.” The satisfied smirk on her face makes melaugh.
“That’s fine. Three of your bites are probably equal to one of mine anyway. You’re the daintiest eater I’ve ever seen.”
“What do you mean?” She picks up a spoon and curls a bite of ice cream from the sundae, savoring every second of it as her eyelids flutter in satisfaction.
“That!” I thrust my arms out at her. “You just proved my point.”
She looks embarrassed, so I quickly lean in to plant a kiss on her forehead. “It’s ridiculously cute.”
She hides the joy on her face by taking another bite. “You better jump in before I finish this without you.”
“You haven’t had your third bite yet. I’m waiting.”
She swats at me, laughing. “Just eat.”
We sit in silence for a few minutes as we savor the decadent chocolate brownie paired with the rich chocolate ice cream and fudge. It’s too much chocolate for me, but she looks so happy that it’s worth the stomachache.
The lull in the conversation sets loose a swirl of questions in my mind.What’s next for us? Did the kiss mean something to Lauren or was it just about physical attraction?
I spoon a bite out, leaving a chunk of brownie behind for Lauren. “We need to talk about this weekend.”
Lauren glances up at me cautiously. “What about this weekend?”
“We kissed, for one, and I don’t know what headspace you’re in, but I want to let that moment stay magical without things becoming weird between us. Tell me what you’re feeling.”
She lowers her spoon. “A little confused.”
“Confused how?”
“The last few days have been a lot to process.” She finds the chunk of brownie I left and scoops itup. “It’s not like I didn’t notice our chemistry before, but everything changed so fast, and I don’t know what to make of it. I’m scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“A lot of things. I’ve been hurt before by the one person who was never supposed to break my heart. That makes it hard to trustanyone.” She folds the napkin in her lap in half before glancing up at me. “You’ve shared some personal things with me tonight, but I can’t figure out why. Why me? And I know it doesn’t mean anything because you’re not a relationship guy, but I still don’t get it.”
Her words cut me deep, even if they’re true. I haven’t been known as a relationship guy, but if there’s anyone in the world I’m willing to try for, it’s Lauren.
“Itdoesmean something.” I move the empty glass to the floor and scoot closer to her. “We’ve built a friendship over the years, and we’ve only grown closer over the last few weeks. That kiss, it wasamazing,and to me—” I inhale, trying to gain the courage to say this next part. “To me, it waseverything. I don’t want only one night with you. You’re not just another woman to me.” She’sthewoman for me.
