Peter
No, I’m good with agreement.
Callie
I’ll see you when I get off.
He’s up to something. I want to know, but at the same time, the anticipation of a surprise is enough to keep me going for the rest of the day. All I know is he’s making it difficult for me not to want something more than friendship with him.
Peter’s truck is parked in a spot further away from the house than it has been. I’m assuming it’s because he wants me to park closer. I can see the light from the fire through the window, but no glow from the TV. Whatever he has up his sleeve doesn’t seem to be watching movies. Now, I’m really curious about what he has planned. I’m not sure anything can top surprise lunch.
I grab my purse and coat out of the passenger seat before turning off the car. Putting the coat on before getting out of the car is probably smart, but the distance between me and the house isn’t big. I turn off the car, open the door before shutting it behind me and sprint to the door. Thank God it’s unlocked.
The mudroom light is on, but it’s dark beyond it. The house smells divine, and I’m guessing he cooked dinner. Which isn’t shocking except when we got here last week, his refrigerator was stocked with frozen meals and lunch meat. Maybe us being here gives him a reason to put his skills to work.
I set my purse and coat on the lone chair of the small dinette in the kitchen before moving to the soft glow in the living room. My mouth drops open.
There are candles on the coffee table and two plates sitting across from each other. I honestly thought the glow was only from the fireplace. Peter is placing a large throw pillow on both sides of the table. I’m assuming so it’s so our butts don’t hurt after sitting on the floor for so long, and the floor is probably cold.
“What’s this?” My voice is barely above a whisper, but the room is so quiet it sounds loud.
Peter turns toward me and grabs something off the table while running a hand through his hair. “Celebrating your first successful day at work?”
It’s adorable seeing him unsure of himself. Even though he never made himself the center of attention like my brother did, he moved with confidence. Besides our reintroduction, this is the first time I’ve seen him waver.
“I thought that’s what lunch was for?” This man truly surprises me at every turn. From allowing us to stay with him while my house is out of commission to everything he’s done today.
“No.” He shakes his head. “That was to make sure you had food. It’s not like I have a lot of options for you to take here.”
“I had a sandwich.” I shrug my shoulders and wait to see what he does next.
He moves closer to me and hands me a bouquet. “I made sure the fridge is stocked with things you like. And these are for you.”
I take the flowers and immediately lift them to smell. I love roses. I love even more that they aren’t yellow. He’s serious about what he said last night.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” It’s hard to see the full arrangement with only the fire lighting the room, but I know he wouldn’t give me anything but the best.
“Come sit down. We should eat before the food gets cold.” He leads me to one of the throw pillows and helps me until I’m situated.
I watch him leave the room toward the kitchen. Setting the flowers on the recline behind me, I study the rest of the table set up. Two wine glasses sit on either side of the table. Tapered candles provide more light in the area. There’s a bottle of wine chilling in a bucket at the end of the table. Napkins and silverware are set to the side. The only thing missing is the food. I’m in awe of the attention to detail Peter has put into dinner.
He comes back in with a plate in each hand. He sets one in front of me and the other where he’ll be sitting. I watch as he uses the sofa to help him sit on the pillow on his side.
“Sorry it’s not at an actual table. I never needed one…until now.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t expect you to do anything differently to appease us. This smells wonderful.” I glance down at the plate. There’s steak, roasted asparagus, and a baked potato. He really went all out.
“Hopefully, you think it tastes just as good.” He picks up a fork and knife before cutting into his steak.
I take that as my cue to do the same. I take a bite and the flavor explodes in my mouth. “This is so freaking good.” A moan escapes my lips and for a split second I’m embarrassed, but I tamp that down. If he’s serious about me, then he’ll take me quirks and all.
The grin that overtakes his face is the cherry on top of the day. “I’m glad you like it. How was your first day?”
I tell him about my day and what it’s like working for Mrs. Hernandez. There are other people there, but she’s my direct boss. As soon as I’m done filling him in, he leaves the room once again. This time he comes back with two small plates. Each one holding a slice of cheesecake with raspberry sauce drizzled over it.
“Keep this up and I might force you to marry me.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize what I’ve said. “I’m sorry. That was a joke, obviously.”
“You never know what the future holds.” He laughs and moves to my side of the table, sitting next to me on the cold floor. “I was serious last night about seeing where things could go for us. I know you keep saying it’s not the right time. But when would be? You never know what life will throw at you. Might as well do what makes you happy.”
