Page 20 of Relationship Goals

Yum. I wouldn’t mind seeing just how fresh he got for me. Everywhere.

I cough, as if clearing my throat will also punt away all my dirty thoughts.

Dare to dream!

“Nice view, isn’t it?” My house is up in the hills, and I still can’t quite believe I managed to buy it for myself. “That’s one of my favorite things about this place.”

He finally turns around, his expression much more relaxed than earlier.

“Beautiful,” he agrees, but his gaze lingers on my face so long that my cheeks heat.

“Am I underdressed?” I ask, gesturing to my jeans and bare feet. “I can go throw on something fancier. I wasn’t sure how swanky the place was—”

“Fuck them,” he says. “If they have a problem with what you’re wearing, they can take it up with me. They’ll be lucky to have either one of us there.” He pauses. “You look perfect.”

The compliment comes out quieter, ringing with sincerity that makes my heart flutter.

“You might be one of the grumpiest people I’ve ever met, so I’m going to take your word for it.” A slow smile turns the corners of my lips up, and he gives me a small grin of his own.

“Got these for you,” he says, thrusting a bouquet of flowers at me. He shoves them so hard that a few petals rain down on the warm stones beneath our feet.

“Oh, wow, I didn’t even notice them.” I laugh. “I was too busy admiring thewholeview.” I wave a hand at him, and I swear to god, his eyes widen in surprise, like he’s not used to people saying nice things to him.

Which makes my heart squeeze in sympathy for him. It makes me sad. Everyone deserves to be treated well.

No wonder he’s a little rough around the edges.

Okay, a lot rough around the edges. Still, there’s something I like about him. I like that he is who he is and he doesn’t fake it.

“Come in for a minute? I just need to grab my purse, and I’ll put these in water really quick.” I motion for him to come in, and he does, staring around my little bungalow like he’s never been in a house before.

“Kitchen’s through here,” I say, pointing past the tiny dining room. “You can come with me, or you can hang out here, next to the door. Up to you.”

He grunts, and I can’t help snorting at him.

“Tell me about the place we’re going.” I scrounge up a crystal vase and fill it, water pinging against the bottom. I set it on the counter before unwrapping the bouquet and arranging the flowers. Sunflowers and something purple, a striking combination.

“They’re lovely,” I say quietly, touched that he would bring them. “Sunflowers are so happy.”

“They’re just flowers,” he says, tugging at his collar.

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Sunflowers that you brought me, that I like very much. So thank you.”

He dips his chin in acknowledgment. “You’re welcome,” he says gruffly.

I put my hand on my hip, determined to crack him open like a walnut and see what’s inside.

“For someone who asked me out, you sure are hard to talk to.” I purse my lips.

Luke Wolfe stares at me, his icy gaze holding mine for a moment before it slips to my lips.

“The restaurant is good,” he finally answers. “It’s not fancy, not really. Homestyle Italian food. Small wine list. Intimate.”

“Intimate,” I repeat, wiggling my brows at him, wiping my hands on my jeans. “Is that right? And not fancy…but you’re wearing a suit? You sure I shouldn’t change?”

“Yeah,” he mutters. “You know, maybe this was a bad idea—”

“Nope,” I interrupt cheerily. “You asked me out, I said yes, we’re going. I’m getting my purse before you take my flowers back.”

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