Page 38 of Another Round
“Well, it looks pretty good. What do you think?”
Uncertainty frowns her forehead when she turns to me for approval. That I most certainly do. “It looks amazing.”
“If it tastes bad, you don’t have to eat it.”
“You worry too much. It’s good.”
Scarlet circles her cheeks, and she nods. Accepting my confident tone, she rummages through the drawer for the small spatula. If she keeps baking for me like this, I’ll have to buy her some better utensils. Gus perks up from the noise, smart enough to realize the sound of silverware clinking together might mean food for him.
I grab the tiny dish she uses for his treats and place the bowl next to ours. She gives me the silent eyebrow. Once again accusing me of liking the dog more than I’m willing to admit. While she’s unwilling to believe my assertion that I just get tired of him whining and moping around all annoying and pitiful when we eat.
Steam swirls above the crust from each slice, and I ignore her knowing snort when I put his in the freezer to help cool the small piece down. Trading the saucer for a carton of vanilla ice cream to garnish her dessert. Which makes him leap up on me and her giggle. Both of them obnoxious, and I roll my eyes to let them know what I think of their smugness. Which only makes her laugh harder.
“Balcony, then roof?”
She stops scooping and looks up at me. Beaming with the stunning smile that makes my breath catch every damn time.
“That’ll be perfect.”
Just like we are together. “Okay, I’ll set it up.”
Gus of course stays with her while I go outside and turn the chaise to face the street. We can people watch while everyone heads to the riverfront and then we’ll climb up to the roof to watch the fireworks in the solitude I prefer.
“Okay, I think we’re ready.”
I hustle back inside to slide the tray out of her hands. She’s learned not to argue with me about carrying things for her that she’s perfectly capable of carrying herself as she likes to remind me. Or maybe she’s given up trying to convince me, I’m not sure. But at least she lets me this time without any protest. Instead, I get a pat of gratitude on my arse. She’s extra cheeky tonight, which will bode well for me later when I fuck her under the stars.
I sit on the lounge chair first and she climbs between my legs, laying back against me. Gus jumps up, begging to join us, and I pat on the cushion for him while holding tight to our dishes from his awkward maneuvering before he plops down.
The first taste hits my tongue, and I moan in approval like she always does. The pie is outstanding. “Excellent trouble. Really brilliant.”
“I’m so glad you like it.”
“I do and I love you for making it for me.”
I kiss her cheek while she chews and the dog slurps his treat at our feet. Everyone’s happy and content, including me. Once I finish, I curl my arms around her torso waiting for her to eat her last few bites. Smiling to myself that I finally have her just the way I wanted ever since we made s’mores at the lake house.
“Next time I might make blueberry.”
I rub over her arms. Concerned the cool breeze will chill her skin with only the tiny straps of her silky top covering her shoulders. “Whatever you want. You make it, I’ll eat it.”
“You know, you don’t seem to hate small talk with me…”
The tip of her finger taps on her chest as she looks up at me. A flirty desire smolders in her gorgeous turquois eyes. “Well, your small talk is a little more interesting than the average person.”
I lean down to kiss her. With her mouth sweetened from the rich ice cream, she readily parts her lips to let me inside. Which I take full advantage of until a whistle and a whoop echoes from the road. Someone else enjoying my affection for my trouble. She giggles against me, good-naturedly embarrassed from being caught. That’s okay. Holding her is enough for now when I know what’s waiting for us later. With a chaste kiss on top of her head, she snuggles back in. Both of us full and comfortable in every way possible.
Iget that same weird vibe I did this morning when she said she wasn’t very hungry. She never says no to my banana walnut pancakes.
Now I catch her hunched over her mobile. Acting nonchalant but I know she’s fucking hiding something when she doesn’t acknowledge me returning from my shower. “What’re you doing?”
Jumping out of her skin and off the sofa, she taps the screen fading the image back to the icons filling the purple background. Slick but not quite quick enough for me to miss the calendar she was studying intently.
“Nothing. I was just deep in thought and you startled me.”
“Evie?” Her arms wrap around herself. Seeking comfort that I can easily give. Although my own demons from past mistakes war in my mind and mouth. But I try to keep calm. Reminding myself she’s not trying to fool me or trick me. She’s just worried about something. Probably related to the fact she only has two weeks left in her internship which means facing her father. But I can’t assume. I have to know what’s bothering her. “Whatever it is, it’s okay. Just say it.”
“I said nothing.” She gives me a forced smile and motions toward Gus sacked out on his bed. Sprawled on his back showing us his jewels while in a deep sleep. “Let’s take him for a w-a-l-k.”
