“You’re home!” he exclaimed.
“And... so are you.” Rayne’s mind went blank. His muscular bare chest and his dreamy eyes did that to her. “I was just heading in to take a shower.”
He stepped aside and motioned with his hand. “It’s all yours. What do you want for dinner?”
“Oh, don’t worry about making—”
“I thought about ordering Chinese.” He winked. “I’m too exhausted to cook tonight.”
She smiled. “Then Chinese sounds heavenly.”
“Do you want your regular – Chicken Broccoli with no rice?”
Could her heart melt anymore? He’d actually memorized her favorite dish. “Yes, my regular. Thanks.”
His gaze stayed on her as she slowly walked into the bathroom and closed the door. His smile made her breathless. Why did he have to look at her with so much emotion and so much desire?
She hurried through her shower, anxious to see him again, but especially to talk to him. She really wanted to thank him for telling Mr. Patterson about her designs. She couldn’t stop thinking about the time when Calvin told her to live her dreams and not let anyone stop her. And, here he was, helping her to live her dreams.
Guilt was no longer part of her emotions when she thought more about Calvin than she had of Eddie. Surprisingly enough, Eddie didn’t fill her mind – and her dreams – as much as Calvin did. Perhaps she wasn’t meant to be with Eddie. After all, they really didn’t have a lot in common. Sometimes she’d forget what had brought them together in the first place.
Was this God’s answer to her prayers?
As she toweled herself dry, she realized she needed to figure out her own heart before she did anything that might ruin her relationship with Eddie or with Calvin. She didn’t want to hurt either guy, but someone was bound to have their heart broken.
After dressing in her flannel jammie pants and over-large T-shirt, she quickly brushed out the tangles in her hair before leaving the bathroom. She’d probably only been in there twenty minutes, but her senses picked up the smell of her favorite Chinese dish. Her stomach grumbled, making her quicken her steps toward the kitchen.
Calvin was setting the table when she walked in. His gaze snapped to her, and he smiled.
“Just in time,” he said.
“I hadn’t realized just how hungry I was until now.” She moved to her chair, and he pulled it out for her. Shaking her head, she grinned. He was really trying to be a gentleman. Then again, he wasn’ttryingto do anything. All of this came naturally to him.
Her mind slowed as she tried to recall if Eddie had ever done that. In fact, she couldn’t remember if he’d even opened the car door for her – oranydoor for her.
“Thank you.” She sat and reached for containers of food. “Did you get your usual sweet and sour chicken?”
Nodding, he sat across from her as his smile stretched wider.
She took a couple of bites before closing her eyes and sighing. This was thebestplace to go for take-out. From across the table, she heard Calvin chuckle. She blinked open her eyes, staring at him.
“What’s so funny?”
“You are.” He took a bite of rice. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman enjoy her food quite as much as you do.”
She laughed and took another bite – bigger this time. Laying on the dramatics, she closed her eyes and released a heavy, satisfied, sigh. He laughed harder.
“I can’t help it.” She met his stare again. “I’m really hungry, and this food is to die for!”
His answer was to nod as he stuffed more food in his mouth. Their gazes locked as they chewed their mouths full of food. Why did he have to look so incredibly desirable right now? No shirt hid his chest from her view, and yet, although she liked his muscles, she was content just to get lost in his eyes.
He swallowed noisily. “How was work?” he asked. “Did you get your big order finished?”
She sipped her water and nodded. “I did – ahead of schedule.”
“I knew you would.” He winked.
“And I found out something remarkable tonight.” She leaned her arms on the table, keeping her eyes on him.
