Tessa sat on a barstool. “I thought you said you didn’t want to keep us a secret.”
“I don’t. I’m asking about what you want.”
“Why wouldn’t we tell them?”
“You have a lot going on this week. The president will be here in less than seventy-two hours. You were attacked a few hours ago in your own home. You’re under a lot of stress. A better man would have waited to confess his feelings until Saturday.”
“You leave Saturday. I think you chose well.”
He poured the eggs into the pan and frowned at them. “Good point. But regardless, think about it. You won’t hurt my feelings if you want to tell them we resolved our differences, talked it out, and everything’s fine.” He spun the pan around on the burner before flipping the omelet. “As long as you understand that we’re coming out on Saturday as a couple.”
“Right.” She wouldn’t complain. She was still in shock that he’dbroken through the walls they’d built and captured her heart in the process. Being claimed by him? No. She had no issue with that.
He slid the omelet in front of her, then grabbed a fork from the drawer and placed it by her plate. “Pray first. I’ll get you some water in a minute.” Then he pulled her hand into his.
“Father, thank you for the food before me and the man beside me. Amen.”
She opened her eyes to a smile. He squeezed her hand. “Eat while it’s hot.” The words weren’t a command, more a plea. If he talked to her like that all the time, he’d be able to get his way with just about anything.
She took a bite. Then another. Then a third. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was, and the eggs were soft as they slid down her bruised throat. By the time she finished the omelet, Zane had made his and put her kettle on. He placed a tea bag in a mug and ate standing up while he waited for the tea to brew. “We don’t have to talk about it tonight, but at some point we need to discuss what happened.”
“Which part? The part where someone waltzed into my apartment and tried to kill me? Or the part where you kissed me senseless at the front door?”
He pointed his fork at her. “You’re trouble, Reed. I knew it from the first day.”
She dug through her candy dish and unwrapped a butterscotch. “I don’t want to talk about it right now. Later?” She popped the butterscotch into her mouth.
“Yeah. Later is fine. Why don’t you get a shower, get ready for bed? I’ll clean up in here.”
“Are you going to sleep?”
“Nope.”
She knew it. “Then I won’t either.”
“Wrong answer.”
His flip response crawled all over her. “You’re not my boss, Zane Thacker. If you start thinking I’ll do whatever you tell me to, then we’re going to be in couples therapy before we go on our first date.”
Zane pinched his lips together but didn’t succeed in hiding his smile. “Couples therapy?”
“It’s a thing.” Tessa wasn’t ready to let this go. “We probably already need it.”
“Maybe.” Zane took his last bite of omelet. He must have been starving.
“Do you want another omelet?” Tessa stood and made it one step toward the kitchen before Zane caught her around the waist and pulled her against him.
“No. I’m good.” His lips were at her ear. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be bossy. I’m trying to keep you alive long enough to need couples therapy. And I need you to go to bed because I don’t think it would be wise for you to stay up all night with me. Do you understand?”
Tessa shivered. “Yes.”
“Do you forgive me?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
“Thankyoufor the omelet.”
