Page 91 of Forbidden Harmony

“Starving,” he said. “Didn’t eat all day.”

“Were you busy at the shop?”

He was already scraping the last of the chilifrom his bowl. “Not bad. My last client tapped out after only a couple ofhours, so I finished early.”

She glanced at the clock. It was almost seven-thirty.She knew the shop was open until seven which was why she’d been so surprisedwhen Preacher showed up just before six.

“Do you mind if I get some more?”

“Help yourself.”

He left and returned with another heaping bowl.He settled next to her on the couch and they finished eating in silence. When theywere done, he took both their bowls to the kitchen. She could hear him rinsingthem in the sink and she smiled when he said, “Is the dishwasher clean ordirty?”

“Dirty,” she said. Holy crap, domesticPreacher was adorable.

He returned to the living room and she smiledat him. “Thank you.”

“Thanks for the food. It was really good.”

“You’re welcome.”

He glanced at the door as familiar awkwardsilence descended. She thought about inviting him to watch TV with her beforedismissing the idea immediately. Preacher had stayed because he was hungry,that’s all. The way he kept glancing at the door made it more than obvious hewas ready to leave.

So, why isn’t he?

She wasn’t sure. He’d been acting weird allnight. First, the apology, then the oddness in the bedroom when he wouldn’tlet her come until she said she wouldn’t date anyone else, the spooning aftersex, sticking around to eat dinner with her, and now this awkward moment.

Maybe he thought it was rude to eat andleave? Trying to help him out, she said, “Well, thank you again for -”

“You heard about that new show on Netflix.The one with the detective?” Preacher said.

“Yes.”

“It’s supposed to be pretty good. You watchit yet?”

“No, not yet,” she said. “I was actually goingto start it tonight.”

He stared at her and she cleared herthroat. “Would you like to watch a couple episodes with me?”

He shrugged. “Sure.”

He sat down beside her, and she turned onthe television and used the remote to switch to Netflix. She was a little embarrassedby how much she enjoyed the feel of Preacher’s hard thigh against her knee.

As she waited for Netflix to load, byhabit, she picked up her knitting bag and pulled out the scarf she was workingon. Preacher glanced over at her and she paused with her knitting needles inhand.

“Um, do you mind if I knit while we watch theshow?”

“Why would I?” he said.

“The needles make a clicking sound.Harrison said it was distracting when we watched TV.”

He just shrugged. “I don’t care. Do your littlegrandma knitting.”

She poked him in the thigh. “Knitting iscool now.”

“Is it, though?” he said.

“No,” she said.

---