I hold out my hands while I kick off my shoes.
“Nice. I’m gonna have to play with those toes a little.”
“Didn’t know you have a toe thing.”
“I don’t. But I kinda like yours. You hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Let’s go eat.”
During lunch we talk about mundane things, but then I turn the conversation down another lane. “I’ve been offered an internship this summer with a finance firm here in town. It’s a great opportunity and I’d like to take it.”
“Congratulations, Cate, that’s great! When did this happen?”
“This past week. One of my professors told me about and said it was a long shot, so I didn’t think much about it until they called and made me the offer yesterday.”
“You accepted, I presume?”
“Not exactly. I told them I’d let them know on Monday.”
“Why?”
“Because I need a place to live.”
He laughs. “What? Did you think I’d say no?”
I fidget with my napkin before answering. “No. It’s only that a whole summer is a lot longer than we’re used to, and my parents will freak at the idea of me living with you.”
“Hmm. I see. So you’re willing to give up a huge career enhancer because of a couple of minor glitches.”
He has a way of making my objections sound silly. “I guess it would be pretty damn stupid of me.”
“Look, we won’t get on each other’s nerves, if that’s what you’re worried about. I would love having you with me for an entire summer. In fact, I’ll go so far as to beg you to take the damn job. Please, oh please, Cate.”
He has me laughing by this time.
“And didn’t you say your father thought you had a silly major?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, this is your chance to prove him wrong.”
“True. But they still won’t like us living together.”
He waves his hand through the air. “Oh, hell, they’ll get over it when they find out you have free rent.”
“Oh no. I can’t do that. I’ll pay a part of it.”
He shrugs. “We’ll figure something out then. But make that call Monday.”
“Okay, I will.”
That evening, Drew tells me only to dress in whatever is most comfortable to me. He’s wearing jeans and a light sweater. A knock on our door surprises me and he goes to answer it with a sly smile on his face. In walks an entourage of people, one obviously a chef. His name is Michael and he’s here to prepare our dinner. I go to the bedroom to quickly change, and come out wearing jeans and a sweater, too.
The chef prepares something, but Drew won’t tell me what. And the other people have disappeared. When I ask about them, Drew only smiles and shrugs. Then he leads me back into the bedroom for a minute. “It’s a big surprise birthday dinner, so if it doesn’t work out exactly right, please don’t hold it against me.”
“Why would I hold it against you? And everything you’ve done so far has surpassed anything I’ve ever experienced, so stop.” I hug him. “You’re the best, Drew.”
“No, you are. And you stole my line.” He smacks my butt and then gets that heated look in his eyes.
“No! We can’t. Michael is out there. And those other people.”
“Don’t worry about them.” He starts stalking me around the bedroom. I can’t help giggling because I feel like a little kid. Finally, I’m trapped in the corner and he pulls me by my wrists and tosses me onto the bed, where he tickles me until I almost pee.
“With everything I’ve ever done, all the places I’ve ever been, and every person I’ve ever met, nothing can come close to the sparkle in your eyes, or the love I feel in my soul when you look at me, Cate Forbes.” His lips skim mine, teasing them, as they taste and his words touch a place in my heart I didn’t know existed.
“I feel it too, Drew, when you look at me.”
It’s one of those rare moments between two people that love each other and I don’t want it to end. But we’re interrupted by a knock, and Drew offers me a crooked grin when he gets up to answer it. I hear them murmuring, but don’t know what’s said. Then he’s back and tells me dinner will be ready in about forty-five minutes.
“Would you like some wine? And we can watch Michael cook.”
“That would be nice.”
So we sit at the small counter in the kitchen while Michael is busy preparing our meal and I soon become engrossed watching him. He’s making oven-roasted salmon, sautéed mixed baby vegetables, and parmesan risotto. He will also serve a grilled romaine salad with walnuts, gorgonzola, and a cherry vinaigrette. It all looks and sounds delicious.
When it’s almost ready, the chef nods to Drew, and Drew asks me to wait in the bedroom. I think it’s sort of strange, but I don’t say anything. I go in and sit on the bed, waiting patiently. About five minutes pass and Drew comes to get me.
“Okay, close your eyes for me, please, and I’ll lead the way.”
“We’re going someplace else?”