“Would you like to order your mains?” he asks.
I turn to Flip. “I haven’t even looked at the menu.”
“There’s no rush, we have lots of time. You can give us a few minutes,” Flip assures him.
“Of course.” He leaves us with our appetizers.
“Can I serve you?” Flip offers.
“If you want to.” I sit back, enthralled with this version of the man I’ve come to know.
He plates an arancini for me, spooning extra red sauce over it. His eyes stay fixed on me as I cut into the crispy outside, the cheesy inside pooling in the sauce. I cut a small bite and pop it in my mouth.
“Is it good?”
I cut another bite and hold it out for him. “Try it.”
His full lips close over the tines.
He hums his approval and takes the fork from me. “Will you let me feed you?”
“Is this like your version of foreplay?” My eyes flare and my cheeks burn hot.
His smile turns downright lascivious. “Head out of the gutter, kitten.” He cuts another small bite, feeding it to me. “I like the way you savor things. I think because of the way I grew up, food has always held a lot of power.”
“Because sometimes you didn’t have enough?” I ask softly.
He nods and pops another bite before cutting one for me. “Things were always tight. Tristan constantly brought food over. Rix learned to cook at a young age. There’s something very primal and satisfying about providing for someone I care about.”
My stomach flutters and my bruised heart soars.
We finally order mains, I choose the gnocchi and Flip orders the vodka pollo pasta. There are no leftovers, and we finish the meal with a chocolate torte that Flip eats most of. I don’t want dinner or the evening to end, but we close down the restaurant, so there’s no other option but to leave.
I stop in the bathroom and message Fee to let her know I’m on the way home.
Fee
At Cammie’s. Message when it’s safe. Brought all the things I need for a sleepover if necessary. *fingers crossed*
Flip is waiting for me at the front door. He links his arm with mine and walks me to his car, holding the door open as I take my spot in the passenger seat. This is literally the most amazing non-first-date I’ve ever been on, and I hate that it’s coming to an end.
By some miracle, the ten-minute spot at the front of my building is open, so he pulls into it and cuts the engine. “I’ll walk you up.”
“I’d love that.” Then I can invite him in.
The atrium is quiet, most people having returned to their apartments for the night. The elevator is empty, and my body hums with nerves as I watch the floors climb.
My mouth goes dry as the elevator doors slide open and all the anxiety I thought I left at the restaurant comes flooding back. Flip’s fingers stay pressed against the small of my back on the way down the hall. I fumble with my key fob but manage not to drop it as I swipe my key over the sensor and open the door, but only a few inches so Parsnip can’t escape.
What happens now?
“Thank you for taking me out for dinner.” I clasp my hands so I don’t wring them.
Flip smiles. “Thank you for saying yes.”
“I had a really nice time.” I bite my lip.Is it too much to invite him in?
“I had a great time, too.” His palm curves against my cheek, and his thumb sweeps along the edge of my jaw. My entire body sparks with need. Desire. Anticipation. “Can I kiss you good night, Talls?”
