Page 44 of A Table for Two
“That’s why I know I can deal with our relationship staying this way.” Talking with her friends had helped her get her head on straight. Serenity knew the score. Anything they shared would be temporary, and she felt confident she could handle a short affair.
Chapter 12
Saturday afternoon, Gabriel positioned the double chaise lounge that had been delivered earlier so that it would provide optimal viewing of the mounted flat-screen TV. Aside from his recliner, a small love seat, and an end table, there wasn’t any furniture. Andrea had taken the rest. He’d decided he needed something for Serenity to sit on when she arrived later. To say he was looking forward to the dinner and movie night with her would be an understatement. He paused.What am I doing?They agreed to keep things light, and at the moment, he couldn’t decide whether the impromptu purchase qualified.I’ll be here for another couple of months, so it’s not like the lounger won’t get any use,he reasoned. Satisfied, Gabriel went into the kitchen to put the dry rub on the steaks he’d thawed.
As soon as he finished washing his hands, his cell chimed with a text message. He picked it up, read the words, then smiled. Serenity offered to bring dessert. Gabriel typed back:I planned to make dessert, but since whatever you make is sure to be a hundred times better, I’m all for it.He hoped she’d bring the brownies he couldn’t get enough of. A quick peek at the time showed he still had a couple of hours before his date, so he grabbed his laptop out of his bedroom and went out to the back deck to work on the note-taking app.
Gabriel was so engrossed in his work, it took a moment to register the doorbell ringing. He glanced at the time and jumped up from the lounger, almost knocking the laptop over. Muttering a curse, he caught the device before it hit the ground and rushed to the front.
“Serenity. Hey. Come on in.” Gabriel stepped back to let her enter, then placed a brief kiss on her lips.
Serenity smiled. “Got caught up in work again, huh?” she asked teasingly.
He ducked his head sheepishly. “Something like that.” It was a good thing he had decided on an easy dinner of steaks, potatoes, and salad. Otherwise, he would’ve been in trouble. “Let me put this away and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” His gaze dropped to the gift bag in her hand. “Brownies?”
“How did I know you’d ask that? Nope, not brownies this time, but there are peaches, sugar, and crust involved.”
Gabriel grinned. “Can’t wait.” He went down the short hallway and deposited the laptop on the nightstand, then headed to the kitchen.
Serenity leaned against the counter. “This kitchen is awfully clean, and I don’t smell anything cooking.”
“Ha ha. You got jokes,” he said, removing the plate holding the steaks from the refrigerator. “For your information, I’ve already seasoned these steaks. We’re having potatoes, salad, and French rolls.”
She chuckled. “Mmm, sounds delicious. And whatever seasoning you put on the meat smells so good.” She handed him a clear plastic container. “This needs to go into the freezer.”
“Please don’t tell me this is homemade ice cream.”
“Okay, I won’t tell you,” Serenity said with a smirk.
He waged an inner battle for several seconds, and it took everything inside him for him not to open the container right then. Snatching open the freezer, he set the container on the shelf and closed the door before he was tempted to devour the entire bowl before dinner.
“Let me wash my hands and I’ll help.”
Gabriel stared at her incredulously. He closed the distance between them and slid his arms around her waist. “Help? Baby, I didn’t invite you over to put you to work. Tonight is all for you. The only thing I want you to do is relax.” She always went out of her way to do nice things for everyone, including him, so he wanted to do something special for her.
Serenity laid her head against his chest. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me, Gabriel.”
The feel of her arms tightening around him and her sweet confession stirred something in his chest, leaving Gabriel more than a little shaken. Needing some distance, he released her and gestured to a chair. “Have a seat. Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Yes. Wine sounds nice.”
He poured them both a glass and handed her one.
Serenity lifted hers. “To the cook.”
Gabriel inclined his head and took a huge sip. He stood there a moment trying to discern what it was about Serenity that drew him. He’d never had a problem keeping his emotions out of any casual relationships. But with her, he seemed to have no control over his growing feelings and had to remind himself that whatever they had would end in a couple of months. “I’ll go get the grill started. Want to keep me company?”
“Absolutely.” She stood, followed him outside, and sat on one of the patio chairs.
Most people tended to use gas grills, but he preferred using charcoal. There was something about the smoky flavor that couldn’t be duplicated. After starting the coals on the grill, Gabriel took a seat next to Serenity, marveling at the peacefulness he felt.
“How are you planning to cook the potatoes?” Serenity asked, cutting into his thoughts.
“I was thinking about drizzling a little of that olive oil you told me about and an herb seasoning, then tossing them on the grill. Why?”
“Ooh, that’s going to be so good. I have a few other flavors, too.”
He lifted a brow. He hadn’t ordered any of the other flavored oils. “Which ones?”
