Page 105 of Mr. Flirt

“I’m kind of hungry too.”

I rolled my eyes and flashed a dopey smile. “Oh, right.”

“Be right back.”

My phone dinged, and I realized I’d never read the gossip text from Mae last night, but Shep wandered in just as I saw another text from Mae. I tossed my phone on a pile of pillows and took another bite of quiche.

“You know, I’ve never done this before,” I told Shep.

He eyed me as he crawled onto the bed with his own tray. “Had breakfast?”

I loved the lightness about Shep.

“You know what I mean. I’ve never had breakfast in bed. I’ve never had the morning after be so relaxed and...” I shrugged, shoveling in some salad. “I don’t know, just plain awesome.”

I saw the same tenderness as last night touch Shep’s eyes, and my entire body warmed. How did he completely disarm me?

“Your chef is incredible, by the way.”

Shep took a bite and shook his head. “I don’t have a personal chef. I just called a service.”

“Ah, right. Well, you know of a service to call.” I grinned, stabbing more lettuce and a piece of steak. “I’d have no idea who to call for a chef.”

“Another confession.” He eyed me.

“Yeah?”

“I had to call my mom to get the information. She uses them a lot.” He shoved his salad around the plate and smiled. “I told her about you too.”

My eyes widened. “You did? What did you say?”

“That I’ve found someone who knows how to keep me on my toes.”

I snorted on accident, and he laughed. “What? You know it’s true.”

“I also told her you made me realize what I’ve been missing in life.”

“Which is?”

“You.” He took a bite of food and kept his eyes on me while a wicked swirl of emotion zipped through me. “Lucy, I wasn’t kidding when I said I was falling for you. I can’t imagine you not being part of my life.”

I nodded slowly, letting his words wash over me. The problem was that I felt the same way. The idea of not getting to hang out with Shep terrified me. He’d become the bright surprise in my often uninspiring days filled with the demise of relationships and vendettas. I had built my career on the notion that all good things come to an end, and I’d be the one to help pick up the pieces for the victim.

But what if it were my pieces that needed to be picked up?

Shep’s apprehensive laughter filled the room. “That certainly made you go silent.”

I laughed, realizing I’d been self-reflecting too much, and shook my head quickly.

“No, it’s not like that. I swear. I’m just so confused. I never thought I would be able to open my heart up to someone, and with you, it’s been easier than I imagined. That alone freaks me out.”

“No. I get it.” He nodded, flashing his beautiful smile in my direction. “I certainly didn’t make things easier by presenting myself as this goofball who could never turn down a bet. But I’m trying to show you that’s not the only side of me.”

I touched his cheek and nodded. “And I see that every day.”

He put his tray down, and I slid mine over. “On that note, my mom invited us over next Friday.”

My mouth fell open. “Like meeting your mom at her house?”

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