“Good deal.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say, because Monica had returned wearing an apron.
The domestic look caught him off guard, but he liked this softer side of her. Who was he kidding? He loved every facet of Monica. The polished professional, the cut-loose and carefree adventurer, the tender caregiver, the loyal friend. He could go on, but he was distracted enough as it was.
Lacey called everybody to the table. Despite the fact she and Tom had an oblong table that comfortably sat ten in the formal dining room, she directed them to the smaller table in the nook off the kitchen.
That table only sat four, but two chairs had been added to each end in order to seat six. Lacey and Tom took the ends, and Sara and Dustin claimed the two chairs on one side, leaving him and Monica to sit next to each other.
He played the gentleman and pulled her chair out, pushing it in as she lowered herself. Throughout the meal, his shoulder would touch hers and their knees would accidentally touch despite his best efforts to prevent the contact. He couldn’t take much more pretending.
How much longer until Monica was ready? Her reluctance worried him. He said he’d give her time, and he meant it, but it didn’t change his concerns. He loved her, but how could their relationship grow and thrive if they kept it in a cage?
As soon as the meal was over, he stood and excused himself. “I’ll see you all soon.”
Lacey frowned. “You’re leaving already?”
“The office needs me for a few hours. I’m sorry.” His boss had asked him to come back tonight if at all possible. His first answer had been no, but if it got him out of this awkward evening, then so be it. “We’ll get together again soon. Promise.”
“I’ll see you in two days.” Lacey grimaced. “Your Mom informed me it’s been too long since I’ve come for Sunday dinner. I didn’t realize it’s been a month.”
Monica choked on a sip of tea. Once she assured everyone that she was fine, Rex couldn’t stop his inner gloating. He knew exactly what caused her to choke, and, even if it was selfish, prayed that might be the impetus to bring her to her senses.
She recovered quickly and looked his way. “It was good seeing you again.”
“You too.” Working hard, he kept his face neutral, or so he hoped. “Give me a call before you head out of town. We’ll meet up.”
Laughter glinted in her eyes. “I’ll do that.”
He tipped his chin, bidding farewell, before replacing the ballcap on his head. Humming on his way out, he made a mental note to call his mother and tell her thank you.
Chapter Fourteen
The sun still hid behind the night sky when Monica woke up the next day. Excitement prevented her from falling asleep again, and she could barely restrain from calling Rex to tell him her decision.
She knew the words may sound small, but they would have a high impact on him. Last night at Lacey’s, she almost told him, but he’d cut out early and gone back to work. Maybe she was making too big of a deal about it, but this was her way of telling him she was ready for anything he asked of her.
The cool morning air breathed energy into her. She stopped at the store on her way to Rex’s and purchased a basketful of groceries to make for the special dinner tonight.
Juggling the bag and trying to knock on the door made her question why she didn’t make two trips. Rex greeted her at the door and reached her the bags.
She denied the help with an explanation. “They’re in a precarious arrangement. Move one the wrong way and they’ll all tumble, but I’d appreciate if you could close the door behind me.”
He followed her instructions then followed her into the kitchen. His brows knitted. “Did we have plans this morning? I didn’t expect you until later.”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I figured I’d head over.” She’d become so accustomed to coming and going at his house that she’d forgotten to mention her plans.
“Want to take Chance to the park today? There’s not much I need to do around the house, and he’d enjoy seeing other dogs.”
“You don’t have to work?”
“It’s Saturday.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks warmed. The lack of traffic on the way to the store made sense now. “I knew that.”
His lips twitched. “What do you think? Does the park sound good?”
“You spoil that dog.”
“He’s a loveable dog, just like you.”
