“Okay. You’re right. We’ll keep it quiet for a while. No big deal. What’s the other term?”
“You don’t get to boss me around when we’re not at the restaurant,” she said. “While we’re there, I’m your employee and I’ll behave as such, but when we’re off the clock, so is your ability to tell me what to do.”
His smirk returned and the light in his eyes turned positively wicked. “Are you sure there aren’t at least a few times I can boss you around? Perhaps when we’re naked?”
Nova suppressed a shiver. “No bossing unless I give you permission.”
“Now, who’s bossy?” he asked, smirking again as he picked up a third scone.
“Slow down!” she said. “You’re going to give yourself a stomachache.”
“We’re not in the restaurant, so neither of us is in charge.”
Nova scowled at him and took another scone, just to keep him from eating it.
“Any other terms or conditions?” Torin asked before he took an even bigger bite of his scone, half of it vanishing into his mouth.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I know I should be glad that you like my scones but it’s a little disturbing to watch how quickly you eat them.”
“I didn’t get dinner last night,” he mumbled around a mouthful of scone. “I’m starving this morning.”
Guilt pierced her like tiny needles all over her neck. She hunched her shoulders. “I’m really sorry about that.”
“Considering you walked away from him after telling him off for his sexist ways, I can’t be too upset.” He drank more coffee. “So, anything else?” he asked.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you if you had any conditions.”
He nodded and put his cup down. “There is something but considering what we just talked about, I don’t want you to take this as a dig.”
She frowned at him. “What do you mean?”
“Other than what you just said, the only condition I have is that neither of us dates anyone else while we’re together.”
Nova’s frown deepened. “This is because I went on a date last night?”
“That is what I wanted to avoid,” he said, pointing at her. “I’m not still angry about it, it’s just one of my conditions. I want to make sure we’re on the same page in regards to this. That’s why I’m bringing it up. Not because of last night.”
Nova nodded, her face relaxing minutely.
“Will that be a problem?”
“What? Exclusivity?” she asked.
He nodded. His face was intent as though her answer were vital to him.
“No, that’s not a problem,” she answered. “I only went on a date last night because I thought getting involved with you would be a terrible idea and I should try to get past how I feel about you.”
“About that,” he said. “Why would you think it’s a terrible idea to get involved with me?”
“Because you’re rooted here, Torin. And I’m not really rooted anywhere. I like to see the world, to travel from place to place and meet the people that live there. The longest I’ve ever stayed anywhere is eighteen months. I wasn’t sure I could settle here and give up traveling for good.”
“Why would you think you had to give up traveling if you and I got together?” he asked. He looked confused.
“Because you’re rooted here. If things got serious, it would hurt to leave you, but it would kill something inside me to be stuck in one place, day after day.”
Torin crossed his arms over his chest as he studied her. “What changed?”
“Last night, you said you travel regularly. Not just for work, but for yourself. A few weeks a couple of times a year would feed that urge I have to see and do new things. I wouldn’t have to choose between you and something that’s already a part of me.”
