Page 5 of The Square Up

Abby is sitting at my kitchen table wearing one of my long-sleeved Henleys. My heart pounds at the sight. There’s something intimate and incredibly sexy seeing her in my clothes.

I slide a veggie omelet on her plate, “Favorite color.”

“Purple.” She nibbles on a slice of bacon. “What’s yours?”

“Blue.”

“Favorite band,” I add coffee to her cup.

“Audioslave.”

“Really?” I arch a brow. “Me too.”

“Wow. That’s weird.”

“Favorite movie?” I add a slice of toast to her plate and sit down across from her.

“Gee, that’s a hard one—Steel Magnolias,Pretty Woman,Armageddon, not to mention theTwilightseries. I can’t pick one. It would depend on my mood.”

“Noted,” I add creamer to my coffee. “I’m aDark Knight, Batmanfan.”

“The Dark Knightwas a good movie. What about food? What’s your favorite meal?” She smiles. “Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and cornbread work for me. I love to eat.”

“If I have to pick one thing, I guess I’d have to choose a porterhouse steak, loaded baked potato, green beans, and freshly baked rolls.”

“Hmmm, sounds delicious.” She scoops a forkful of omelet into her mouth. “You’re a pretty good cook. I can’t boil water.”

“Ah, that is an important thing to know. My fiancée can’t cook, she loves to eat, purple is her favorite color, she’s a lover of romance movies, has awesome taste in music and even better taste in men.” I wiggle my brows.

Abby bursts out laughing. It’s nice to see her relaxedandhappy.

“I have even better taste in women,” I wink.

Her cheeks turn bright pink. “Wow, you are skilled at coming up with perfect lines, aren’t you?”

“Bright eyes, I’m dead serious. I’ve chosen you as my fiancée. Best thing I’ve ever done.”

“Bright eyes?”

“Yes, that’s going to be my pet name for you,” I add more butter to my toast. “What’s your pet name for me going to be? Please don’t call me something like stud muffin.”

She studies me for a few seconds, “I could call you handsome. But nah,” she shakes her head. “I think babe is better.”

“Alright, bright eyes and babe it is. Now, let’s decide how we fell in love and got engaged.” I polish off my toast.

Abby takes her plate to the sink. “Are you finished eating?”

The sight of her standing there in my shirt steals my breath. It drapes over her like a flowy dress, the hem teasing the tops of her knees. Her calves are sculpted, hinting at her strength and grace. I can’t believe I’ve never noticed her in this way before.

“Kade? Are you all set?” She reaches for my plate.

“Sorry, yes.” I pick it up to hand it to her, and our hands touch. A bolt of electricity hits me. I jump to my feet, yank her against my body, and kiss her without thinking. She doesn’t resist; in fact, she melts against me. Her lips soften, and her fingers slide up my arms, teasing my biceps.

When my eyes drift open, she’s gazing at me with shock and wonder.

“What was that?” she whispers.

“Bright eyes, that’s how we fell in love.” I tuck a strand of hair over her shoulder.

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