I think about every moment I’ve spent with him and all the things he’s made me feel since the we met, and ask, “What will you do if I run?”
“Chase.” The one word is spoken roughly, making me shiver and smile at the same time.
“I guess I don’t have a choice but to jump then.”
“I’m glad you’re seeing things my way.” He sounds like he’s trying not to laugh, and I hold myself a little tighter, not wanting to lose the feeling in my belly. “I already talked to the boys about you.”
“What?” I squawk.
“When I got home last night, they were up and wanted to know if I’d be seeing you again. I told them yes.” He told them yes! I want to dance around or do a cartwheel. “They were cool with it, so while I’m out with them today, I’ll let them know you’ll be over for pizza tonight.”
“Okay,” I say, sure that the happiness I’m feeling is leaking into my voice.
“I’ll order dinner around 5:30. Is there anything you want, hate, or are allergic to?”
I giggle. “I love food. All food.”
“Anchovies?”
“Would you be repulsed if I told you I love them?”
“Seriously?”
I smile. “My dad always got a can of them whenever we were going to order pizza. I always thought they were gross, but then one day curiosity got the better of me and I found out the salted fish add something unexpected to each bite. After that, I kind of fell in love.”
“Your taste buds are adventurous.”
“Yeah,” I agree, knowing that’s the only part of me that is adventurous. “The rest of me is kind of lame.” Why did I say that, even if I was thinking it?
“You’re perfect.”
“I—”
“Honey, breakfast is here.” I lift my eyes at the sound of my mom’s voice and find her standing in the open door to the restaurant. I nod then hold up one finger, letting her know I’ll be a minute.
“Go eat, baby,” Gareth says in my ear, having heard my mom as well. “I’ll see you this evening. Have fun with your family.”
“Have fun with your boys.”
“Always do,” he says then murmurs, “Later, Ember.”
“Later, Gareth,” I whisper then look around to make sure no one is watching and do a little dance in the middle of the sidewalk. When I get back to the table, I notice each of them are fighting laughter. “What?”
“Cute dance.” Mom grins and I groan. “We’re just glad you’re happy, honey.” She reaches across the table to grasp my hand and gives it a squeeze, saying “Now, let’s eat. We have a busy day ahead of us.” Without another word, we all dig into our food, and like always when I’m with my family, I spend the day with a smile on my face.
_______________
I pull into Gareth’s driveway more nervous than I was last night before our date. Even after talking to him before I left my apartment and his reassurance that the boys were okay with me joining them tonight, I still feel uncertain about his decision.
I take a deep breath as I park then lean over to grab my purse from the passenger seat, along with a shopping bag containing a gallon of ice cream and the store-bought cupcakes I picked up on my way here. If I hadn’t been out all day, I would have put more effort into winning over Gareth’s boys through their stomachs with my favorite chocolate cherry brownies. A recipe that calls for hunks of chocolate in the brownie mix and maraschino cherries and mini chocolate chips swirled into the vanilla icing. Unfortunately, there wasn’t time for me to bake or do anything more than change and feed Melbourne before I had to get back in my car to make it here for dinner.
With my hands shaking, I start to open my door then squeak when it’s suddenly tugged from the tips of my fingers. I look up at Gareth with wide eyes then sigh when he bends to brush his lips over mine, causing a little of the nervousness I’m feeling to melt away.
“Hey,” I greet when he leans back and smiles, taking my bags from me.
“You looked like you were about ready to bolt when I saw you pull in to park.”
“I was,” I admit, biting the inside of my cheek as his eyes scan mine.
“Did you forget I’d chase you?” he asks quietly, taking hold of my hip then using it to force me a step closer causing a small gasp to pass between my lips.
I lift my hands and place them against his warm chest to catch myself and feel his muscles bunch under his shirt, reminding me exactly how it felt last night to have his strength pressed against me. “No,” I say, and his eyes grow darker while his lips twist into a smirk. My toes curl and my heart pounds as his fingers dig into my skin through my light jacket and T-shirt.