Page 75 of An Adventure For Aster

“Nope,” she said. “I’ll leave all the silly girl comments out of it. And I can tell by your face you’re confused why no one knew.”

“It’s your choice,” he said. “I hadn’t thought much of it and maybe you would have preferred that I didn’t send flowers there.”

“It’s not anything bad. The truth is that I don’t say too much about my personal life. Then when things don’t work out I end up having to explain and don’t like to. Or I get a lot of questions on the next step. It’s like once you hit a certain age, everyone expects you to move fast or something.”

He never thought of that either.

“We can move at any rate we want,” he said. “And sorry if I put you in an awkward position.”

“Nope,” she said. “You didn’t. But I want you to.”

“Want me to what?” he asked. “Does this have to go in the fridge or not?”

“Yes. It’s a cannoli cake. I know you like cannoli and I don’t know how to make one. I thought it was easier to pick one up.”

“I can’t wait to have it,” he said.

“It’s going to have to wait,” she said. She took the box out of his hand and put it in the fridge and then turned to lean against the door. “I want you to put me in an awkward position.”

He lifted one eyebrow at her. “You’re going to have to be more specific.”

He saw the blush fill her face. He hadn’t seen this side of her before.

“Do you have to do anything with dinner right now?”

“No,” he said. “I haven’t started it yet.”

“Good,” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him to his room. When she got to the doorway, she stopped and stared. “Oh my God, more flowers.”

“It’s stupid, I know.”

She turned and lifted her eyes to him. They were filling with tears and he was having a panic moment that maybe being cliché today was stupid on his part.

But he was trying to be this guy that maybe she always saw herself with. The fun activities that she came up with and he wanted to do something for her.

Hence the flowers at work and the rose petals on the bed. He had candles next to it too and wondered if it was overkill.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “So romantic. You did this for me?”

“I did,” he said. “I heard you say before that it was one of those childish things you dreamed of.”

“I was young and silly,” she said.

“It’s not silly if it’s something you wanted.”

She started to laugh and he wasn’t sure what was causing it.

“Well,” she said. “It’s funny considering what I have planned.”

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Go light the candles, please.”

He moved past her and picked up the lighter and lit the candles. One on the nightstand next to the bed and one on the dresser.

She moved over and shut the lights off, but he could see her clearly enough by the candlelight.

“What are you doing?”

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