“That’s a deal, and I expect to cash in on it.”
After checking out what was left in Copley, they took a brisk stroll to the Commons and looked at the few sculptures there.
“How about I take you to an early dinner somewhere to make up for ditching you on New Year’s Eve?”
Stopping in front of him, she shook her head. “Nope. It’s your birthday, so I’m going to cook dinner for you.”
“How’d you know it was my birthday?” He didn’t remember telling her. It wasn’t like him to note stuff like that, because he would never want anyone to feel they had to get him a gift. Unless she’d heard his quick phone conversation when Harrison had called to wish him a good day. He thought he’d been subtle.
“Annie.”
“Figures. But you don’t need to do that.”
Her lips pursed as she glanced around innocently. “You’re right. We could go sit at an impersonal restaurant across from each other where we have to be careful of what we say. Or we could go back to your place, kick off our shoes, get comfortable with a fire, chat, and do other things while I prepare you a meal.”
“Other things? What other things are you thinking of?”
She crooked her finger for him to bend down closer, and when he did, she kissed his cheek whispering, “Things like this.”
“Hmm. I see your point.”
“We’ll need to stop at the market first, so I can get the ingredients. There’s one around the corner, I think.”
“There is.”
Wandering around the store had never been so much fun, arguing about which brand of pasta to buy, using jarred sauce versus homemade, and which wine went with what she was making.
As he pulled out his wallet at the checkout, she tapped it and shook her head. “Nope and nope. It’s your birthday. I’m paying.”
“But you’re making the meal, so I should pay.”
“In what delusional world does that make sense?” She glanced at the cashier, a teenage girl who kept staring at him, and said, “Isn’t that right? If it’s his birthday gift, then I need to pay, right?”
“Yeah, you should pay.” He doubted she even heard what Carli had said.
“Fine,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll pay you back later.”
Stupid. Had she heard what he’d said? The side eye she gave him and the grin on her lips said she must have. He really needed to figure out how much she heard and from what distance. They could even make a game of it later. He’d whisper in her ear, and she’d have to tell him what he said like the telephone game, only with two people. He started to think of all the naughty things he could say to her that she’d have to repeat to him.
“She has the hots for you,” Carli said as they left the store.
“What? Who?” He’d still been crafting what he’d whisper to Carli later.
“The cashier. Did you seriously not see her goo goo eyes and the way she puffed out her over-endowed chest?”
“Um, no. I guess I didn’t. Sorry.”
“No need to apologize. It means you aren’t a pig. I like that.” Handing him two of the bags, she started off down the street.
When he caught up with her, he slung his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close. Guess he’d have to not notice things more often.
Once they’d gotten to his place and removed their coats and boots, Carli retrieved the ingredients from the bags.
“Can I help at all?”
Tipping her head, she said, “Why don’t you pour us both a glass of wine? That’ll warm me up a bit.”
“I know a better way to warm you up.” He slid his arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck. “Will this do?”
