“Good morning,” I say, kissing her cheek. “How are you so beautiful?”
Her cheeks turn pink, and in the morning light, her green eyes are even more vibrant.
“Thank you,” she says shyly. She looks around the room. “Your house is gorgeous. I’ve always loved the houses on this street, and this one has always stood out to me. It’s even more beautiful inside.”
“My parents would love to hear you say that. Houses are their passion. My mom was an amazing architect.” I take her hand and lead her back to the kitchen.
“Oh, wow, this kitchen!” Her eyes widen when she sees all the food. “Oh my goodness, Dylan.” She looks around like she expects someone to pop out. “Did you—you did all this for me?”
“Yes. For you.” Now I’m the one ducking my head, embarrassed as I turn on the pans for the omelets and Swedish pancakes. “Feel free to take a look around if you want. Make yourself at home.”
“Can I do anything to help?”
“Grab some coffee or a mimosa…get comfortable.”
She grins. “So fancy.” She moves toward the beverage bar and turns to me. “Can I get you anything?”
“I’ll take a mimosa.”
“Coming right up.” She pours two into the tall glass flutes sitting on the counter and brings one over to me.
We clink glasses and stare at each other before lifting the glasses to our lips. The energy between us is crackling. Finally, we take a sip, our eyes never leaving each other’s.
“I wasn’t imagining it,” I say.
“Imagining what?”
“This draw I feel toward you.”
Her mouth parts, and then she slowly nods. “ I feel it too.”
“And this desire to know everything about you.”
She nods again.
I clear my throat. “Um, okay. I promised you breakfast.Maybe go look around so I won’t be so distracted, and then I can find out all your secrets over breakfast.”
She laughs. “Let me help. I can do the omelets.”
“Yeah?”
She shoots me an indignant look. “You don’t trust me?”
I hold up my hands. “Totally do! Just gives me one more thing to be impressed by with you.”
She laughs. “Well, don’t be too impressed yet. The vast amount of fillings you have here is nothing short of amazing. Mushrooms, jalapeños, green onions, white onions, red onions, sausage, ham, cheddar, feta, goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, salsa…cilantro? You thought of every possible option.”
I lift a shoulder and grin. “I didn’t know what you’d like.”
She grins back at me. “Are you this charming on every second date?”
“No,” I say honestly. “I’m not. Only for beautiful women who fall into my lap on airplanes.” I grin, and she sighs.
“Never gonna live it down.”
“And why would you want to? It’s what brought us here.” I bump her hip with mine, and she laughs.
Her laugh is like a jolt to the chest. I want to bottle it up and pull it out at random times to enjoy it.
