He took her hands as he turned. “I’ve never been jealous of another man until I met you. I’ll work on it.”
She leaned into him. “It’s all right to have a few faults, Alejandro. I’m a long way from perfect.”
“Not from where I stand. The restaurant gave me a taste of their squash soup, and it was so good I brought some along with the vegetable pasta and salad. Why don’t you hop over to the table, and I’ll serve.”
“If you insist.” She held the counter for balance and hopped away. “How long do you suppose Montoya will have to question René to get the whole story?”
He carried in the soup bowls and spoons and returned for the carton of soup and a ladle. “He may never get the truth, but we can leave it up to the courts. I noticed you had some sour cream. Would you like some on top?”
“Yes, that would be nice. Why don’t you just say you don’t want to talk about it?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. There, will you stop asking me questions?”
“Curiosity is a plus, not a fault.”
He looked around. “Speaking of curiosity, where are the kittens?”
“They’re in the bathroom so they won’t jump on the table while we eat.”
“Shouldn’t we be able to train them?” He gave her a spoonful of sour cream, and it floated atop the squash soup in a graceful swirl. “I’m too hungry to argue over where we’re going to live, but please think about it. The board will expect me to spend more time working than I have been this last week, and I’ll still want to see you.”
She sipped her soup and murmured softly, “This is really good. If you’ll be so busy, what does it matter where you’ll live?”
“It matters to us, Ana. If there is an us. I don’t want to push you where you don’t want to go, but…”
She grasped his wrist. “Stop. Let’s eat and talk later. This afternoon, I was terrified something horrible would happen to you, but you’re fine, or pretend to be, and I’d like to enjoy it. It’s probably only the calm before the next disastrous storm, but please, let’s enjoy the moment.”
“I enjoy every minute with you.” He finished his soup first. “I’ll bet there’s always a market for tasteful nude photos. With my help, you wouldn’t need Lamoreaux’s backing. You could do the project on your own.”
He looked so pleased with the idea, while she was appalled. “I’m thinking of how nice it is to be with you, and you’re dreaming up business ventures?”
“The venture is all about you.” He got up to serve the rest of their dinner. “Maybe you’d like to devote yourself to modeling maternity wear for the time being, and concentrate on photography after the baby comes. You could choose your own hours rather than having to follow a designer’s schedule.”
When he’d served her plate, she chose to focus on the meal rather than how annoyed she was with him. “The broccoli, carrots and asparagus are perfectly steamed and seasoned, and the
pasta is warm and comforting. Please let me concentrate on my dinner.”
“Do you think I’m too controlling?”
“You could be. No, I take it back. You most definitely have the tendency. You can say it’s because you care for me, but you’re also bent on pleasing yourself.”
“That’s harsh.”
“We have a truce, remember? And I don’t want to delve into the past. Let’s just drop the subject.”
“Should we save it for Tuesday?”
She shook her head. “Must we?”
“No, of course not. We should agree to only disagree on something if both of us wish to discuss it.”
“That won’t work,” she pointed out. “Let’s say I want a puppy, and you say no and won’t discuss it. That wouldn’t be good. Everything would end in a stalemate.”
“You’re right. Should I assume the puppy was merely an example rather than a desire to have one?”
“Yes. Two pets are more than enough for me. Why are you smirking? Do you want me to consider you as a pet?”
“If you’ll be mine. I’ll do better at reining in my thoughts. We’re scattering my father’s ashes on Saturday. Do you want to come with me? It won’t be a long boat ride, but it would give you a chance to meet my stepmother and her sons. I forgot to tell you the best part—Rafael Mondragon is her son.”