“I kinda like the idea of my boyfriend hitting the gym and then making really good lasagna.”
“Is it good?” he asked, nodding toward her plate.
“You know it is. How many tattoos do you have?”
“One,” Rafe teased. “It’s one giant tattoo. Took sixty straight hours.”
“Ha ha. Seriously.”
“I’ve lost count. A lot.”
“Are you going to get more?”
“Every time I chaperone a field trip and lose a child, I get a tattoo. A celebration. Like I’ve done something right.”
“Oh my god,” Sloan said, giving him a playful shove. He caught her hand, pulled her a little closer and then he kissed her properly. It was quick, but a perfect kiss right on her soft lips. When he pulled away, it was clear from the look on her face that the kiss had hit her the same way. “You’re awful.”
“I get one when I’m moved to get one. When I’m inspired.”
“I’m afraid it would hurt too much.”
“Hurts a lot, but that’s part of it.”
“Do you like pain?” she asked. Her tone sounded a little unsure.
“Not like that.”
“Oh, okay. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I could pinch your nipples really hard if I thought you were into it, but I don’t think I could bring myself to hurt you, hurt you.”
He knew what she meant, but he did consider other interpretations of the sentiment for a second. “That’s very sweet of you, Doctor. I appreciate it.”
“When I’m done eating, I’m gonna brush my teeth and then you wanna make out with me while we watch Horny Millenials By A Pool?”
“Yeah. Let’s do it.”
Tuesday Night
Sloan gently closed the door to the mudroom and stepped out of her clogs. She was expecting the usual silence that greeted her when surgeries went long, and dinner and bedtimes had to go on without her. What she heard was the unmistakable voice of Niles Crane. In the living room, Rafe was stretched on the long end of the sectional. She thought he was asleep for a moment, but as she reached for the remote, he turned and looked at her.
“Hey.” The afterhours bass in his voice almost took her out. She wedged herself in the small space at the edge of the cushion. Her hand drifted to his tight stomach.
“Did you wait up for me?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.”
“How were the girls today?”
“Good. I think they’re really enjoying being around more kids.” Sloan felt bad and relieved all at the same time. They’d met a few kids at the park and through their dance class, but Avery was more into running in circles than actually dancing and Addison didn’t feel like dancing with an audience. After she let them drop the class, Sloan hadn’t been the best at getting playdates together.
“That’s good. They’re so good at keeping each other entertained that I dropped the ball at trying to throw other kids into the mix sometimes.”
“How was your day?”
“Good. The girl I told you about? There were complications, but we got through it. She’ll be fine.”
