Page 134 of Now and Forever

Frowning, I blinked a few times. “Pancakes?” I asked, wondering why he would mention food at such a sensitive time.

“Yes, food. Pancakes, babe.” He shook his head before kissing my forehead. “Okay let’s get you to the bathroom to freshen up. Then I’ll cook while you sit like a good girl on top of the counter, cheering me on. I’ll even put some bananas and whipped cream on top,” he said, trying to entice my sweet-driven palette.

“Stop making it difficult to concentrate on not liking you right now.”

“You care about me too much to hate me.” He smirked then kissed my forehead again.

No truer words had ever been said.

Rolling my eyes, I finally relented and made him take me to the bathroom and afterward to the white marble island kitchen counter where I watched, grinning at his antics of pretending to be a master chef in his domain while speaking out loud about his masterful whipping technique as he explained the lengthy list of ingredients before showcasing how to properly butter a heated pan.

How could I keep a scowl on my face when he was being irresistible and cute? He and I would be fine. We had too much history to let it ruin everything, as friends or as close to friends.

For the remainder of the weekend, he tried to sleep in his bedroom, but ended up joining me in the wee hours of the morning. He and I never discussed what had happened the day after that first night he had slept next to me. I supposed, in a way, we had a silent pact that, as long as I behaved, we would enjoy each other’s company without the intimacy part. For the first time, I truly believed that we were building a friendship, the lasting kind.

He had been such a major help to me, and he didn’t mind that I relied on him. In fact, he welcomed it with a smile. It was one of those times that it dawned on me that I would rather keep this than harboring a lost love that carried a burden of endless heartache. I knew, in due time, I would eventually move on. For the time being, though, being friends wasn’t as bad as I had first thought. The funny, witty side of him resurfaced, and as a true friend, that was all I could hope and ask for.

As for the rest … I hadn’t scratched the surface yet. The best was yet to come.

---