I put my attention back on the task at hand as I emptied the remaining dried rosemary into a mason jar I had cleaned and blessed, doing the same for the catnip and ginger.
As I went for my bottle of alcohol and the distilled water, the sound of my doorbell had me glancing toward the front door as if I could see whoever was interrupting my flow right now. I grabbed my phone to turn off my music as I headed to the front door.
I yelled, asking who it was as I stretched my head toward the door like I could hear whoever it was. And since I couldn’t, I stood on my tippy toes, peering through the peephole to see Burkeley standing there with flowers in hand. I gasped as my hands immediately ran down my body against the bummy ass T-shirt and super short shorts I had on. I was at home and comfortable. There wasn’t a need to be cute I’d told myself when I came in and stripped down, even coming out of my bra to free my sore titties. I then reached up to my hair and felt my messy bun on top of my head.
I stood there still, not moving until I heard him speak.
“Open the door, McKay. I know you’re home. You just asked who I was.”
“Shit.” I moved to open the door.
He might as well see the good, bad, and unkempt, Mickey.
“Burkeley, listen, calling before you come is still a requirement,” I said just as he came into view. His masculinescent filled my nose and caused me to stop breathing for a second.
Gotdamn he smells just as good as he looks, lawd.
“Why would I call when we have a date? I told you six. Not to mention I texted and reminded you around one that I would be here and you even replied to me.”
I closed my eyes and groaned as I rubbed my forehead. I put my eyes back on Burkeley who was moving closer to me so he could shut the door behind himself.
“Shit, time ran by too fast. I’m still working on a tincture and I’m not dressed.” And even though I knew what I had on, my eyes fell down so Burkeley could focus on the outfit of choice.
I watched Burkeley’s eyes bug before he caught himself then a frown formed on his handsome face.
“A tincture? Should you be playing with chemicals and shit while pregnant?” he asked with too much bite behind his words, making me chuckle.
“Alcohol is hardly a chemical and everything else is natural and not weed, even though it’s a natural plant. No, these are just herbs today. And yes, it’s okay as long as I don’t use it, which I’m not,” I said as he walked further into my space, not far enough away from me as he presented me with the flowers, a full two dozen colorful bouquet of mixed wildflowers. It was beautiful. Most would’ve been indifferent to the bunch, but I loved it. I knew it was a coincidence, but still, this spoke volumes to me that he didn’t get the typical roses or lilies. I didn’t have a favorite flower, but if I did, I preferred wild ones.
When he got closer to my island where everything was set up, I followed suit to get a vase for my flowers.
“See, nothing but herbs that grow in gardens, Mr. Plant Daddy. Is that okay with you?” I asked as I smirked at him checking out my jars.
“Plant Daddy?” He snorted.
I grinned as I set the flowers on the counter and went to get the alcohol and water so I could at least finish the process before going to get dressed.
“Yes, that’s typically what they call men like you who have a shit ton of plants.”
Burkeley chuckled as he nodded.
“I guess so. I’m new to the hobby, just under a year in. Nothing like this. This seems too advanced for me. So the other day when I told you the name of my plant…” He stopped speaking while I now wore a smug grin.
“Yup, we share a common interest. Except, well—” I waved my hand around my condo.
“This isn’t the best place to grow a garden for the herbs or flowers I want to take up. So unfortunately, I’m limited to what I can do. Getting that dehydrator to fit on the counter was a push, but since I’m currently off coffee, the swap wasn’t a huge sacrifice.” I pointed to the huge silver appliance that took over where my coffee bar had been until recently.
Burkeley glanced over as he opened and closed his mouth. I could tell he was amazed by the gadget. Before he could speak, I spoke up again.
“Let me go get ready. Don’t touch anything, Burkeley, but make yourself at home,” I said, leaving him standing there while I made my way to get dressed for this date I was now making us late for.
By the timewe made it to Diablo’s, my back was touching my stomach. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I looked over the menu, licking my lips at the list of ingredients in many of the dishes.
“I hope this is obvious, but order whatever you want, McKay.” I looked up and caught the smirk he gave me, letting me know he had been watching me gawk at a pictureless menu I could see mentally as me and Peanut both said yes to options.
“Are you sure about that, Burkeley? You just gave a hungry, pregnant woman free reign to potentially hurt those pockets with food because everything sounds so good to me.” He gave me a light laugh as a smile spread across his face, bright white teeth flashing.
“I promise you won’t hurt my pockets even if you order two of everything on the menu. Whenever you’re with me, hell even when you’re not with me, money isn’t something I want you to concern yourself about, especially when it comes to feeding y’all. You’re good. Please order you and the baby whatever you’re craving.”
