Page 77 of The ABCs of You & Me

Thought maybe we could grab dinner?

Sure, where?

Little place I know.

Two hours later, Foster is standing at my door looking better than any man has the right to look in a simple blue crew neck sweatshirt and jeans.

“Hey!” His face lights up when he sees me, his eyes doing a quick sweep of my outfit before stepping over the threshold. “So, I was thinking we could try something.” My heart rate spikes when he stops directly in front of me.

“Oh?” I swallow as his hands slide down my arms. I hold my breath when I feel him wrap them around my wrists and lift my arms to his shoulders before his slide around my waist. He’s not touching my skin, but you’d think we were both naked by the way my entire body reacts. I’m almost expecting his lips to meet mine, but instead I find myself pressed against his body as he hugs me.

Hugging is new. It’s not unwelcome, but it’s new.

“Hi,” he murmurs, his lips right next to my ear.

“Hi,” I whisper back.

It doesn’t last long, but when he releases me it takes all my brain power to drop my arms. When I do, he steps back, scratching his neck and looking nervous. “So, was that okay?”

“Hugging me?” I ask, slipping on my shoes and grabbing my coat.

“Yeah, it’s a more intimate step than, ya know, well, not hugging,” he stammers, the tips of his ears turning pink. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

I could tell him that, yes, hugging is fine. That I am actually a pretty big fan of hugging, but I would much rather show him. This time I am the one to step forward and slip my arms around his waist. His arms wrap around my shoulders the minute our chests connect, and I release a sigh that I hope doesn’t come off too intimate. Although that’s what we’re doing, isn’t it? Being intimate?

“I love a hug,” I say, giving one more squeeze before stepping back. “I’m starving. What’s for dinner?”

Fifteen minutes later, Foster pulls up in front of his apartment.

“Is this the little place you know?” I laugh, stepping out of the car.

Foster meets me at the front of the car and reaches for my hand, which I take without hesitation. “You wanted intimacy, sunshine. Cooking dinner together is an easy way to achieve that.”

“Together? You’re going to let me touch?” I catch the grin and tiny shake of his head before he tips his face to the sky and breathes out. “What?”

“Nothing. Yes, I’ll let you…” He looks at me, his eyes dipping to my lips before he swallows. “Help.”

“Well, lucky me.”

We don’t say much on the walk up to his apartment, and when he unlocks the door I definitely stand a bit too close, but I can’t seem to help it.

Gary weaves around our feet meowing as soon as we step through the door, and I watch Foster bend and pick the orange tabby up. He starts licking Foster’s exposed forearm instantly, his yellow eyes zeroed in on me.

“Don’t worry, buddy, he’s all yours,” I assure the cat, scratching behind his ears. He doesn’t ease up, though, if anything his licks become more intense.

“Okay, I think that’s enough,” Foster says, setting the cat back on the ground. “I’d like my tattoo to remain intact, thanks.” Gary scampers to the window and starts chattering at something. “That’ll be his nemesis,” Foster explains, heading to the fridge. “Drink?”

“Sure, what do ya have?”

Foster opens the door and starts naming things off. “Water, orange sparkling water, aloe…”

“Aloe?” I ask, confused.

“Aloe juice.” He holds out a bright green bottle of liquid.

“Are those… what’s floating in there?” I ask, squinting into the bottle.

“Bits of aloe,” he says as if it’s the most normal thing in the world, and I physically recoil.

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