I end the call and put the phone back in my small bag.
I pat both of them, kiss their heads, then stand. They bolt out the moment I open the door. Hunter steps out of the black SUV just as they reach him.
He’s in an entirely different outfit tonight. Instead of his usual shirt and trousers, he’s dressed in a black tee and jeans, a dark brown leather jacket over them. He strokes Bruno’s and Rosie’s heads, giving me a slow stare from head to heel. The flutter in my chest I’ve been feeling since evening—no, since yesterday—skyrockets. Now it’s no longer a flutter; it’s fireworks exploding there.
My heart, brain, and body are totally convinced he’s Salvario.
He stands straight when I reach him.
“You look beautiful.”
I smile, heat rising up my exposed shoulders and cheeks, warming them against the outside chill.
“Thanks. You’re also looking very handsome.”
A faint smile curves his mouth, and I realize it’s the first time I’ve ever seen him smile. I search his cheek, but the smile isn’t wide enough to bring out a dimple, if there even is one. I just hope the bastard who changed his face didn’t do anything to his dimple.
“I have to send them back inside.” I look at Rosie and Bruno.
I walk back to the house, and after filling their bowls with treats, I call them inside. They trot in and start eating. I pat them, then slip out quietly, closing the door behind me.
Hunter opens the passenger side door for me. I climb in. He stands there watching me settle into my seat. Once I pull on my seatbelt, he closes the door and walks to the driver’s side. I watch him through the front windshield, taking a deep breath to calm the rapid beating of my heart.
Calm down, Wen. It’s not like this is your first time being close to this man.He doesn’t remember, but I do—really well—all the things we’ve done, every second we’ve spent in each other’s arms. So it’s nothing new, just a small date night.
He opens the driver’s side door and settles into his seat. All the pep talk I gave myself vanishes as the scent of tobacco and citrus spice closes around me.
“Were you smoking?”
He glances toward me, then starts the vehicle. “Yes.”
He never used to smoke. This new habit isn’t good for his health.
“You shouldn’t smoke.”
“Okay.”
“What does ‘okay’ mean?”
“I won’t,” he states, eyes fixed on the road while mine stay on him.
“It’s not easy to quit. So I assume you’re just saying this to get rid of my nagging.”
“I won’t call it nagging.”
I press my lips together to keep my smile from showing. “You should, because I won’t stop giving you health lectures until you quit.”
“I won’t smoke near you.”
“So you’ll do it when you’re away from me?”
He shrugs lightly. “Maybe.”
I huff. He looks at me.
“It’s still bad.”
That small smile returns to his lips. “Stay close to me, and I won’t smoke.”
