I chuckled. “It’s way bigger than I intended it to be. Too big, most of the time,” I admitted. “It’s nice sharing it with you, though. I wasn’t lying when I said I rarely had people over. It’s usually just me and the dogs.”
Beckett squeezed my shoulder as he walked by with the salad dressings. “I’m glad I’m here too, Ry. Truly.”
“Oh, those go in the other fridge.”
“Otherfridge?” he balked.
“The small one, there,” I said, pointing to the smaller fridge under the counter.
He glanced at it then back at me, blinking a few times. “You’re kidding, right?”
I wasn’t.
He barked out a laugh. “You’re using a five-thousand-dollar wine cooler forcondiments?”
“Don’t look at me like that! It was a gift from my grandfather’s staff when I bought the place. But, I don’t drink a lot of wine, so it’s the condiment fridge now. It opens up space in the main fridge for other things.” I shrugged.
Beckett had to lean against the counter as he keeled over, laughing and clutching his stomach. “A condiment fridge! Oh my god, Riley! That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I huffed and went back to loading the dishwasher. Beckett put a few more things away before pressing another kiss to my cheek. It was such a small, quick thing, yet I felt it everywhere.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult you. I just wasn’t expecting it,” he said, setting the last bowl in the dishwasher as he studied the kitchen some more. “I love the colors you chose for the cabinets and counters. The tans and grays go well together, but the red trim on the cabinets brings out the tiny red details you’ve added around the room. It’s elegant, without being too much. But I think this,” he sat at the oversized breakfast bar, “is my favorite part. It’s relaxing.”
“Thanks, I eat there most of the time. I’ve actually considered getting rid of the table for another easel.”
“You should,” he said quickly, then glanced around. “Wait, where are the bedrooms? I didn’t see any.”
I gave him a shy smile, surprised he hadn’t noticed the loft above us yet. “You’ll just have to use your imagination for now.”
“What? Too many dirty socks on the floor?” he teased.
“No, I’m just choosing to keep some things a mystery for now.” I motioned to the stereo system on the wall. “Pick something out. I’ll pour us some wine.”
“I thought you didn’t drink wine?”
“I said I didn’t drinka lotof wine. I don’t mind a glass here or there.”
He shook his head, grinning.
With dinner out of the way, things became slightly more awkward. I knew offering wine would make this feel more like a date—wait,wasthis a date now? Crap. I didn’t know! I needed a glass of merlot to help me relax a little. I was becoming a bumbling mess of nerves and I didn’t want to scare him off.
Beckett sat next to me on the couch, leaving a few feet between us. He carried most of the conversation as the sunlight began to fade over the ocean. Glancing around the room, he asked, “You don’t have a TV?”
“I do. Just not here.”
“There wasn’t one in your studio,” he said.
I shook my head. “The only time I watch TV is when I can’t sleep and I’m too restless to create something, so I’ll turn on a movie in bed. But, otherwise, I just prefer music.”
He reached for my hand and scooted closer. “This place is just so you, Ry. Like everything I ever pictured you’d have one day, but more.” He brushed a stray lock of hair from my eyes. “It’s everything you ever wanted, isn’t it?”
It is now,I thought, taking a million mental snapshots of Beckett on the couch with me.
“I missed you, Beck,” I blurted, without thinking. “Every single day. I missed you.”
He pulled me to him, kissing my head. “I missed you, too. So much.”
We watched the final moments of the sunset curled up together in contented silence, until he broke open the bag of Twizzlers. We shared a look of amusement as we took turns snatching a few strands from the bag, remembering days long gone. Somewhere around half the bag, Beckett caught me trying to hide a yawn.
“I’m going to go,” he whispered, “but tomorrow, I want you to tell me when you first realized you liked me, okay?”
“Only if you tell me the same,” I said, walking him to the front door, the real one hidden behind the kitchen pantry, not the one to the showroom.
Beckett leaned in to kiss me and I chased his lips when he tried to pull away, wanting more. He chuckled, and kissed me a few more times, but kept them light and teasing. I finally gripped his face in both hands, but before I could deepen the kiss too much, he tickled my ribs. I guess he hadn’t forgotten my weak spots.
I gave him a pout. Beckett bopped my nose with his finger and smiled. “Sleep well, Eagle Eye. I can’t wait to see you again tomorrow.”
