“Hungry?” she asked.
“Starving. Guess what I want to do?”
“What?”
“I want to cook in that fantaspacular kitchen you’ve got in there. I’ve been jonesin’ for it since I saw it.”
“You’re on, cowboy. I’m going to give Paige a call and invite her to join us, if that’s okay with you. Paige usually has breakfast here with me a couple times a week. She’s staying away on purpose.”
“Please Liv, it’s your house, you don’t need to check with me before you invite somebody to breakfast. Does Mark usually come along?
“Sometimes. Would you like me to invite him?”
“Yeah, I would.” Ben started to chuckle. “Mark’s one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met. I had a good time last night at their place.”
“Most people say that. And you’re right. Most of the time I’m with them, I laugh so hard my stomach aches by the end of the night.” Liv hugged him.
“What’s that for? Although, you never need a reason to wrap yourself around me.”
&
nbsp; “You like my friends.”
“Baby, I like a lot more than your friends.”
9
“We should go out and do something today since it’s going to be warm and sunny. Away from the ranch I mean,” Liv said as Ben and Mark were clearing the dishes. “I have a new horse coming in tomorrow to board. I should be here most of the day, to make sure he’s settled.”
“Tomorrow night we’re having dinner with Bill and Dottie. Is that still on?”
“Yep, Dottie left a message on my cell asking us to be there at six.”
“Whatever you want to do is fine with me, baby.”
Paige got up from the table and motioned for Liv to follow. They walked out on the deck, and Paige closed the door behind her.
“What’s up, Paige?”
“I had to get out of there before I opened my big mouth and stuck my foot in it.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. You’re such a…couple.”
Liv swatted at her. “Oh, stop it. We are not.”
“You are. Making plans, figuring out your day. ‘Whatever you want do is fine with me, baby,’” Paige mimicked him.
“He’s being polite. Stop it.” Liv got up to go back inside.
“Wait. It’s nice to see you this way.”
“It’s nice to feel this way.” Liv turned and faced Paige. “I won’t like it when he leaves.”
“You’ll cross that bridge when you get to it. Enjoy your time with him, and then make plans for the next time you’ll be together.”
“But what if—”