EIGHTEEN
T
he rest of the meal was relaxed.Even Rufus eventually sprawled out on his side under Willow’s chair with a sigh and went to sleep.
All the tension that had been lingering in the bottom of Tripp’s stomach was gone.Being around Willow was so easy.She’d always been like that.A warm, supportive presence whenever she’d popped back into his life over the years.
“Now don’t get too excited, but I have some leftover blueberry cornmeal muffins for dessert.”
“Too late.Already excited.”
She chuckled under her breath and rose with her plate.Tripp stood and took it from her.“Nope,” he said when she opened her mouth to protest.“You prepped and cooked and served.I’ll clean up.”
She lifted her chin.“It’s my house.My rules.And maybe I like things done a certain way.Especially dishes.”
No maybe about it.“Fine, then you can stand watch and supervise.”
“Or you could just let me take care of it later.”
He held her gaze, that soul-deep attraction simmering inside.Did she feel it too?“Fine, we can do it together then.Final offer.”
She gave a decisive nod.“Done.But let’s go check out this fence first.Come on, Rufus.”
The dog scrambled out from under the table, giving him a wary stare as he hurried over to Willow.Tripp followed them out back into the fading sunlight.
“Oh, it looks fantastic,” she said, her happy smile hitting him hard and fast.“There you go, Rufus, go check it out, buddy.”
The second she let Rufus off his leash he trotted around his domain, sniffing at the worn grass along the perimeter.He spotted the holes right away.His ears went up, and he walked over to investigate.Within seconds, he figured out how to use them.
“Oh my God!That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” she gushed, whipping out her phone to take pictures.“They’re the perfect height.You’re a genius, Tripp.”
He loved the way his name sounded in her voice.“It was your idea.”
“I know, but still.”She patted his shoulder, and he felt a streak of sensation along his arm.“We’re a good team.”
They were.They’d be great together.He’d always thought so.
