Page 83 of Designs on You

He stopped in the parking lot, turned, and grinned at her. “I like this feisty side of you, Natalie. Kick his ass.”

Admittedly, it felt good. “Thank you. I like this side of me, too.”

They resumed walking.

“Also, remind me not to piss you off,” Eugene said as they slid into the car.

She couldn’t help but smile at that.

“Do you have to go back to work today?” he asked.

She thought about it for a few seconds, then realized what he was asking. “No. I have some emails to deal with, but I can do that at home.”

“Okay.”

“What about you? Haven’t I monopolized enough of your time?”

He cracked a smile. “I make my own schedule, and we’re in a lull right now anyway while the physical design team creates some mock-ups to go with the programming.”

“It’s nice that you can take some time off.”

“Oh, I’m still working, just at my own pace creatively. Which means it doesn’t matter if I write code and review reports at three p.m. or three a.m.”

“I see. And, when exactly do you sleep?”

He shrugged, then exited the freeway. “I get enough.” He pulled into a restaurant and parked.

Natalie stared at the seafood place. “We’re eating again?”

“Hey, we ate a light lunch and then spent five hours shopping. I worked up an appetite.”

“I’m fine with eating.”

They went inside and got a table, ordered drinks, and settled in to read the menu.

Eugene looked up at her. “I think I want a cast-iron skillet.”

Natalie frowned and scanned the menu. “A skillet of what? I don’t even see that on here.”

“No, I mean, I want a cast-iron skillet.”

“Oh. For your house?” She pulled out her phone and jotted it down. “Okay, I’ll order one for you.”

“Thanks. You know, I can do all that myself so you don’t have to.”

She was making a few other notations while she spoke. “It’s not a problem. Plus, I’ll bill you for my time.”

He nodded. “As you should.”

They ordered food and spent time talking about his house, about paint colors and furniture placement and when things would be delivered.

After the food arrived, Natalie gave him a direct gaze, pointing at him with her fork. “You should have a housewarming party.”

He laughed. “Right now I don’t even have a finished house.”

“But you will soon enough, and it’s never too early to plan a party.”

“I don’t plan or have parties. Or at least I’ve never done it before.”

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