Page 76 of A Moment In Time

He smiled. “Damn convenient.”

Sydney laughed. “You’re really hard to say no to sometimes.”

“Then don’t say no.”

She took a drink of her beer. “Let’s see how the weekend goes.”

“Shit. Don’t use this weekend as a gauge. I can’t guarantee how well it’s going to go.”

“You’ll just need to be on your best behavior.”

Gage blew out a breath. “Wow. So much pressure.”

“I think you’re up to the task.”

“You have more faith in me than I have in myself.”

“That’s not true. You are the most self-confident man I know. I think.” She thought for a moment. “You’re really hard on yourself. And your expectations of perfection are a bit unattainable. But still, when you take something on, you do it with the utmost confidence. Except for running for mayor. You’re not exactly confident about that.”

He held up a hand. “Where is this going? Because I feel like you’re insulting me more than complimenting me.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry. Let’s just say you’re an enigma. One of a kind. And indescribable.”

“That’s not much better.” He shook his head. “And what about all of that are you attracted to?”

“All of it.”

“Hmm. You need to set your standards a little higher, Lois.”

“I can’t help it. You’re my Superman.”

Chapter twenty-two

"It's not going to kill me."

Gage could hear Sydney rummaging around in his kitchen, and she called out to him.

“You have absolutely no food in here.”

“That’s not true. There is a box of Frosted Shredded Wheat and a half-gallon of milk. There’s also coffee and beer. What more does a man need?”

She left the kitchen and went to the couch. “Most men would require the basics. Meat, bread, canned goods, maybe some fruit and vegetables.”

He looked up at her. “Most men don’t come from a family who owns two of the three restaurants in town.”

“So you never cook for yourself?”

“No need to. I’m in town every day.”

“What about on the weekends?”

“Having a big family guarantees at least one or two dinner invites. Especially now that four of them are married.”

Sydney shook her head. “Okay. If that works for you.”

“It works just fine.”

“But this weekend you’re not going into town or over to someone’s house. You’re staying put. So, I’ll cook for you.”

---