Page 24

Will do.

After I paid for the dress and was headed to the strip of shops next door, she sent another message.

Megan

You’ll need another dress for your third date anyway.

I really hoped she was right. And that the lingerie I was about to buy would give me the confidence to go for a kiss of my own when Julian dropped me off tomorrow night.

11

JULIAN

Picking Celia up for our second date made it feel more serious, which was another reason my looking forward to it so much was completely out of character. Same with the flowers on the passenger seat.

When I walked out of a lunch meeting this afternoon, I found myself wandering into the florist next door. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d bought flowers for a woman, but when the owner had suggested a bouquet from a local farm, I’d had her put something together that was perfect for Celia.

As I walked up the sidewalk to her townhouse, the door swung open before I could knock. Celia was in another knockout dress, green this time, and a strappy pair of nude heels that made her legs look like they went on forever. Her hair was down, and her makeup was more subtle than on our first date.

“You’re gorgeous.”

“Thank you.” Her smile lit up her green eyes, which looked darker because of the dress. “You brought flowers.”

“I couldn’t resist.” I held them out. “The florist had peonies and violas that just came in from a local, organic farm. She said they’re edible, which I thought you might appreciate more than roses.”

“Wow, that’s incredibly thoughtful. Thank you.” She stepped back to let me pass through the doorway. “Come in. I’ll put them in water.”

A few boxes sat along the wall next to the stairs. “Just move in?”

“Yeah, a couple of weeks ago,” she confirmed as I followed her into the kitchen, which was smaller than I expected, given how much she loved to cook.

She reached up to grab a vase from the cabinet, and I stepped out of her way while she filled it with water. Once she had the stems exactly how she wanted them, she set the flowers in the middle of the counter.

“They’re perfect.” She flashed me a grateful smile. “And I just might steep the petals to make a jelly. Or crystallize them to decorate cookies.”

“I’m glad you like them.”

“I more than like them, Julian.” She moved close and went on her toes to brush her lips against my cheek. “It’s been a long time since anyone bought me flowers, and nobody has ever thought to choose ones I can use in the kitchen.”

“Lucky timing,” I murmured, sliding my palm against her lower back.

“Only because you pay attention.” She grabbed her purse from the counter. “Ready?”

“If you are.”

I followed her out to my car and opened the door to help her into the passenger seat. When I rounded the hood and slid into the driver’s side, she turned toward me. “Where are we going?”

“I thought about Nobu.” I checked the mirror and pulled out. “Or Lucky’s.”

She wrinkled her nose, confirming my instinct was right. Celia didn’t care about going somewhere to see and be seen. She just wanted to have a nice dinner with me.

“And?”

I smiled. “I booked a table at Tra di Noi instead.”

The Italian restaurant was only a couple of miles away from her townhouse, had a cozy vibe, and the servers were attentive in a low-key way so that we wouldn’t be interrupted often.

“Great pick.”