I glanced up and met his eyes, then smiled. “I should have listened to you.”
He returned the smile, which turned into a smirk. “You’ll learn.”
I grinned and leaned in to brush a kiss across his cheek. “I don’t regret patching you up, though.”
His eyes were wide as I pulled back.
A stone formed in the pit of my stomach. “Was-was that ok?”
He swallowed and nodded. “Just… unexpected.”
“Would you prefer I ask first?”
He considered the question for several seconds. “I think… if we’re courting… then…” He paused. “I’m not used to affection.”
“Ask first, then.”
He was silent, then shook his head. “No… Maybe… Sometimes… But I think if we set that rule now…” He glanced down. “I might not let myself get used to it.”
“Depends on the situation?” I asked.
He nodded. “I don’t know if I’ll be comfortable with anything in public right now. But… maybe… when we’re alone…”
He swallowed. “It’s ok.”
“You’ll tell me if it’s too much, or if you want me to ask?”
“Ok.”
I leaned in and gently pressed my lips to his.
A soft inhale.
“Was that ok?” I asked.
“Yes,” he breathed.
“Good.” I sat back and turned my attention to his arm. I spread a new layer of ointment on it, then secured it with fresh gauze and wrap. “All set.”
“Thank you,” he said with a smile.
“Of course.” I closed the first aid kit, then stood. I grabbed the kit and plates, then carried them to the sink.
I started the water and allowed it to warm before putting the stopper in and adding dish soap. “Do you want me to stay, or do you want me to go home?”
“I don’t know.”
I smiled. “If it matters, I’d love to stay. Get an idea of your life.”
“It’s Saturday,” he replied. “Nothing exciting. I’ll take eggs down to the stand. Walk Russy. Relax.”
“Sounds nice. Mind if I join you?”
There was a beat of silence, then a soft, “I think I’d like that.”
I washed the plates and silverware and set them in the drying rack, then remembered the frying pan. “Do you save your bacon grease?”
“No. I just wait for it to thicken, then wipe it out.”
