Page 47 of Twenty-Three Years of Longing

Orion laughed. “Okay. Car shopping for you before redecorating this place.” I handed him back the keys and he added, “But both of those things are going to have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I am cooking you a meal you won’t forget.”

I’m sure there will be a lot I won’t forget about tonight if I’m right.

“No peanut butter and bananas?” I joked.

He shook his head. “But there might be some chocolate involved for dessert.”

I blushed. Not sure what he had planned for dinner, I knew what I wanted. Licking that chocolate off him.

“What are you thinking,” he asked, just before his cell phone rang.

Perfect timing.

“That you should answer that call,” I smiled.

He pulled out his cell phone and I could tell from his eyes that he was anxious to answer.

“Hello Grandmother. Is everything okay?” he asked. I wished I could hear what she was saying. “Okay, I’ll come over now.” He put the phone back in his pocket and said, “She said everything is okay, but she needs to see me.”

“I was serious. I can walk if you need to go quickly,” I offered.

“No way in hell am I allowing you to walk to work,” he stated.

Allow? That was a word I hadn’t expected to hear come out of Orion’s mouth. My ex, well since he liked to control everything except for himself, he would’ve used it with a lot of curse words.

“Orion, what makes you think I’m not capable of taking care of myself?” I asked firmly.

He smiled and said, “I’m not worried about you taking care of yourself. Maybe of breaking those sexy ankles of yours. You’ve seen our roads. Not meant for walking in those heals.”

I looked down at my feet and he made a valid point. I’d probably end up in a ditch halfway. “They’re not practical,” I said.

“But they look great on you,” he winked.

“Thank you,” I smiled, shyly. I wasn’t used to compliments. At least not one that included the word sexy. I liked it. At least coming from Orion.

“I’ll drop you off, and then go see her.” I nodded and he added, “Raya, I really am looking forward to tonight, but I’ll text you if something changes after I meet with her. Okay?” he asked.

“No explanation needed. Go and take care of your grandmother.” I knew what family meant to me, and seeing how much he loved his grandmother only drew me to him even more.

You’re one hell of a man, Orion. How am I not going to fall in love with you?

As we walked to his car, he opened the door for me, I realized that it might already be too late.

CHAPTER 15

Orion

“Grandmother, I really wish you would stay overnight for observation,” I said.

She ignored my pleas and turned to Doctor Finn O’Connor. “Didn’t you say that my heart sounded strong?”

“I did. But it might not be a bad idea to spend the night. I promise we will make you so comfortable you will think you’re home,” Finn said.

She wasn’t buying it. “That’s impossible. I have everything I want and need at home.”

Mayson said, “Grandmother we can’t have you spending the night alone. If anything happened to you, we’d never forgive ourselves.”

It was nice hearing those words come from Mayson. I usually was the one voicing my concerns. About time little brother.

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