Page 165 of The Bonus

“Nutella pizza for dessert. I got two of them.”

“Good, one for me and one for you.”

“Or both for me and none for you.”

“That too.” I smile at the return of the friendly banter we always shared.

His eyes twinkle with a certain something as we stare at each other.

Stop it.

“I’ve made up the guest rooms for you,” he says.

“What do you mean?”

“I thought you would want to stay too if they are? You know, until they settle in with me.”

“I didn’t plan on them staying. I haven’t packed them an overnight bag or anything.”

His face falls.

“You can’t rush this, Gabriel, let’s just get through tonight first. Who knows how they’re going to react.”

He nods, disheartened.

“They will stay, they’ll stay all the time. Just not tonight,” I tell him.

“Right.”

I can feel his disappointment. “Did you order wine with the pizza?” I ask to change the subject.

“I brought my own from New York. I tasted your local wine last weekend, remember?”

I smile. “Ahh…of course you did. Smart choice.”

“Would you like a glass?”

“Maybe just one.”

His eyes hold mine for an extended beat as if he’s waiting for me to say something, and the air swirls between us. I snap my gaze away.

Maybe I shouldn’t drink at all tonight.

Gabriel carries the pizzas into the dining room. “We’ll eat in here; I’ve set the table.”

I look into the formal dining room, the sixteen-seat antique table is perfectly set with fancy silverware and linen napkins, there are fresh flowers in the middle of the table and it looks like something out of a movie set or something.

“Maybe we should eat in the kitchen around the kitchen counter,” I suggest.

“Why?”

“It’s less formal and more relaxed, it will lighten the mood.”

He thinks for a moment as he looks around the table. “Maybe you’re right.” He runs his hands through his hair as if in a complete panic.

“You’re nervous?”

“I’m not nervous,” he snaps. “I’m freaking out.”

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