“I could go for relaxing,” he said.
“Cool,” I said and tried to control the smile on my face that made it hard for me to take another bite of pizza and that there was no way I could hide from Ruby. Then I realized I didn’t care. Spencer was a great guy, and it didn’t matter if we’d only just met. I wanted to know him better, and if I had to guess, he felt the same way.
A few hours later we were relaxing on my couch. Both of us in my sweatpants watching Christmas movies because neither of us had enough time off during December to do it.
“Thanks again for helping today,” I said from where I had my head on his lap.
“It was fun, and I got to meet your sister,” he said, and I had to turn to look at him to make sure he was serious.
“I did warn you she was bossy,” I said, making him laugh.
“Can I admit something to you?” he asked.
“After all we’ve been through, you can say anything.” I tried not to act worried about what he was about to say, but I still wanted more time with him. Which was something completely new for me. He pushed my shoulder to get me to sit before turning to speak to me.
“The last twenty-four hours have been the best I’ve had in—I don’t even know how long. I don’t want it to end, and I know both of us are workaholics that don’t know anything about starting a relationship or keeping it going once it’s started. I really want more time with you, but I think we’re going to maybe need to learn a new way to do that.”
“Okay,” I said but I still wasn’t sure what he was saying. “What are you suggesting?”
“What do you think about scheduling a weekly date? Then even if we’re busy during the week, we’ll know that we have time together coming up. I don’t want you to think you won’t be a priority because you will be—you are. Already you are. I can’t explain it, but I don’t want to lose what I think we could have together. You and me.”
“You and me,” I whispered. “And yes, whatever way we can make it work I want to try. I know we only just met, but I think you’re right. We could have something.”
“What day is best for you?” he asked, and I had to force myself not to just say whatever day was good for him.
“Monday the restaurant is closed,” I said. We didn’t used to do that, but it works out better for everyone. “We usually prep that day, but Ruby can handle that,” I said, and his eyes took in my face while I spoke.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Monday would be great.”
“Done. I can work remotely that day and take half a day off. How about if you go and do whatever prep you need to do early and then we can have the afternoon and evening together. We can do this,” he said.
“We can,” I said, and hoped we really could.
Eleven
Spencer
This was the sixthMonday since we’d met. What had started out as an agreement to get together one night a week had failed. Since that first night, we’d spent every night together either at my place or his. We’d tried a few times to stay away but one of us would give up and end up at the other’s house.
Valentine’s Day was coming up, but it was such a busy night for Jake’s restaurant we’d decided to celebrate it early, which is why I was on my way to his place with hopes he liked what I had planned. After parking my car, I checked that my tie was straight, and my hair was still in place. Not that any of that mattered to him, we genuinely liked each other for who we were but it didn’t hurt to put in a little effort.
“What are you waiting for?” he yelled from the front door where he now stood watching me. He was dressed in the same tux he’d worn the night we met and looked just as handsome as he had then but a lot less nervous. I picked up the roses I’d bought and hurried to him.
“These are for you,” I said and kissed him.
“Thank you, that’s very sweet.” He breathed in their scent before smiling at me. “No one’s ever given me flowers before.”
“Well get used to it,” I said and kissed him again.
“I forgot how good you look in that suit,” he said and looked me up and down while I walked past him into his house.
“I have to admit I thought the same thing when I saw you.”
“So, what are we doing tonight?” He’d let me plan the evening and I forced myself not to worry about what I had planned. “I packed an overnight bag just like you said. Care to tell me where we’re going?” he asked.
“Nope, I want it to be a surprise.”
