Page 95 of Forever with the CEO

“I’ll set the table,” I offered.

“It’s all taken care of.”

“What?” I glanced at the table. “I can’t believe I didn’t see that.”

He’d literally taken care of everything.

“How long will until it’s ready?”

“Five minutes, more or less.”

“I’ll take a really quick shower and get out of this suit.”

Nick nodded, and I thought I heard him swallow audibly. The look on his face made me wonder if he wished he could join me, but then he said, “I’ll be right here.”

I ran upstairs, my heart pounding at a million miles an hour. I was having dinner with Nick.

It’s not a date, Allison. It’s normal for you to have dinners. You’ve been having dinners ever since he moved in.

Except this time it was without the kids.

I could offer to repay him for making dinner. Maybe with a massage? I could start with those gorgeous muscled shoulders in the back and move to the front...

Ugh.I needed to get my mind out of the gutter.

I’d never showered so quickly in my life. I didn’t want to make Nick wait or let the food get cold.

I put on my favorite perfume before throwing on a light yellow summery dress that wasn’t too revealing. Although, like all my clothes, it was fitted and very feminine. Because I was stuck wearing suits all day, I enjoyed wearing dresses when I was home.

I went downstairs barefoot. Even though the custody issue was still at the back of my mind, I couldn’t help but feel optimistic that things were going to work out one way or another. I had an inkling that my optimism may have something to do with the sexy man camping on the couch.

“You already served the food,” I said, stunned.

“And poured the wine.” He winked at me. “I want to make this a very relaxing experience for you.”

It looked extremely romantic. I realized belatedly that there were flowers in a small vase. Roses.

“Nick,” I whispered, stopping in front of it and touching the petals, “when did you get these?”

He came up right behind me. “Tonight.” His voice had changed somewhat from a few seconds ago. It was lower. “I figured you’d enjoy them.”

He was running his fingers up and down my arms. This felt so much like we were a real couple, like we were truly married and just enjoying a night together without the kids.

“Thank you. I love them.”

“Dinner is served. I didn’t even ask you, but I chose white wine,” he said as he pulled out the chair. I sat down, and he pushed it under me.

“We’re having chicken, so white wine is good. Besides, you said you cooked with it as well.”

He sat in front of me. He’d put the rice in a bowl and the chicken in another one. I quickly loaded my plate, and as soon as Nick put the rest on his, I immediately dug in.

“You should be a chef,” I said.

“You’ve only had my food a couple of times.”

“I know, but everything has been exquisite.”

The dish was creamy and well-seasoned but not too heavy because he’d countered the cream with white wine. I bounced my shoulders, humming. He laughed.

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