“Okay. A chaste kiss it is then.”
“Whoa whoa whoa. I don’t expect a simple kiss. I’m hoping for a ‘knock me into Mars’ kind of kiss,” I clarify.
Avery laughs.
“When are you going to open a bakery? No clue what you’re making, but that bag of coconut you just poured into the bowl looks delish,” I comment.
She smiles proudly. “Thanks. Coconut chocolate ranger cookies, and maybe one day I’ll have a bakery. Maybe even near you.”
“That would be great.”
“But back to you. Enjoy this, Abby. The beginning of something is always the best part. So much excitement. It could go anywhere you want it to. The possibilities are endless,” Avery encourages me.
“True. Possibilities are endless.” I smile to myself.
* * *
“Why are we here again?”I wonder with a curious smile as our spoons dive into the crème brulée at La Muse for the second time in ten days.
He shrugs a shoulder. “Because this time we can end the night the way it should end.” His look is sexy, and he confidently drinks some wine as he leans back in his chair.
We skipped dinner and only came for dessert and wine, which is not an easy task to arrange as it’s hard to get a table in this place.
“So, tell me, who was your oddest patient today?” I ask.
Lucas looks at me excited and resettles in his chair. “Oh, you will love this.Trust me. A teenage kid said he is allergic to pets. After looking at his bloodwork, it was all negative. His mother confessed on the spot that she had been lying to her son his whole life, so he doesn’t get a dog. That’s a little twisted.”
My hand finds my chest. “That’s a little insane. I could not imagine lying to a kid like that for his whole life. But it is a little funny, can I say that?” My face must have wrinkles of doubt.
Lucas touches my hand. “Totally. And you? A crazy racoon or cat?”
“Easy day today, check-ups and a few cats going blind. The usual.”
There’s a pause, but one we don’t mind. Our eyes are having their own conversation anyhow.
“Do you feel different today?” I ask, as I’m curious.
“Truthfully? No. I felt divorced already months ago. But I guess I now feel I am officially back in open waters again.” He plays with a fork lying on the table as he reflects on his words.
“Lucas Kade. A very single eligible bachelor, you mean?” I poke his arm.
His mouth twitches slightly. “True. But I also mean in general. I can do whatever I want now. Design my house, go play golf—”
“Whoa whoa whoa.” I hold my hand out. “You golf?”
Lucas gives me a sheepish grin.
“Oh no. You want to be like your dad and my dad. This is a game changer. I need to leave.” I’m sarcastic and pretend to begin to get out of my chair, but it makes him laugh.
“Trust me. I can do a lot to prove to you that I am not your dad,” he challenges.
“Eww, can we stop going down this rabbit hole of a conversation? I don’t like where it’s heading.” I grin concerned and grab my wine glass.
“Agreed. Want to head out?” he suggests, and I nod as the waiter comes to clear our plates.
After Lucas pays the bill and we grab our coats, we head outside to walk to our cars. We came separately, which is fine as we need to walk a few minutes together anyhow. Walking down Main Street, we admire the fairy lights that tend to stay up all year as little shop windows have picture perfect displays.
We cross the street, and Lucas stops us on the sidewalk by gently touching my arm. I turn to face him.
