“That’s why I like you so much.” She gave him a teasing smile as she got out a loaf of Italian bread. “You’re so smart. Just sit there and look handsome while I finish dinner.”
He chuckled. “I’ll do my best.”
She was poetry in motion, moving around her small kitchen in smooth, effortless movements. He wasn’t much of a cook, but she made it look easy.
Soon, she set a plate of garlic bread made with thick slices of Italian bread on the breakfast bar, followed by two dishes filled with sauce-covered spinach tortellini, and a pair of forks.
After refilling their tea glasses, she scooted onto a barstool beside him. He grabbed paper napkins from the holder at the end of the bar and handed her one. “My contribution to the meal.”
She accepted it with a smile, and they dug in.
“Honey, you make the best tortellini I’ve had.” He ate another bite and chewed.
Ellie swallowed her bite. “Thank you. I love making Italian food. Someday I’ll make my lasagna for you.”
“Can’t wait.” He stuck his fork in his pasta. “I think I owe you a pot of chili.”
“All to myself. I haven’t forgotten.” She pointed her fork at him. “I’ve been waiting for you to remember.” She shook her head. “You truly make the best chili I’ve ever had.”
* * *
They had a pleasant meal, bantering back and forth like they usually did. She felt like she had scored a win with what she’d made for their dinner as Tucker ate a second bowl of tortellini, piled as high as the first, plus a third piece of garlic bread.
“I meant to ask you something earlier.” She turned on her stool and faced him as he finished eating and set his fork on his plate. “Mom asked if you’d like to go with our family on our annual summer trip to Lake Havasu, the weekend after next. It will be with all of my brothers, Mom, and Dad.”
Ellie leaned forward. “We rent a houseboat, fish, Jet Ski, and all of that. It’s always so much fun. The family stays for the week, but I can only make it for the weekend since I have a recording session the following week. Would you like to go with me? Like I said, it’s lots of fun.”
Tucker looked thoughtful. “I planned to spend time with you that weekend if you were free. You’re sure I wouldn’t be butting in if I join you?”
“It would be soooo much fun if you do go.” She straightened on her stool, excitement bubbling up inside her. “It’s the best. Of course, Tanner and I share the same birthday, since we’re twins, and we celebrate on the trip.”
“Well, if it’s your birthday, how can I say no?” He smiled. “I’d enjoy it. Tell your mom thank you for inviting me, and I look forward to meeting your family.”
“Awesome.” Ellie wanted to squeal with delight, but she managed to control her enthusiasm, which was off the charts. “I’m so excited you can go. I can’t wait to see you in shorts and a bathing suit.”
He laughed. “I look forward to it.” He settled his palm on her thigh. “Are you free next weekend to get together?”
She sighed. “I have a recording session in L. A. that starts Thursday, and I won’t get home until Sunday afternoon. I wish I had a studio here to do the majority of the recordings. But I don’t, so I have to go to California.”
Tucker looked disappointed, but he was probably getting used to her going out of town. He reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. “We’ll have the weekend after that on the houseboat.”
“Yes.” She was so hyped that she nearly bounced on her stool.
Tucker got up and gathered the dishes. “You sit here, and I’ll clean up.”
“I can do it.” She started to get up.
He placed his hand on her shoulder and kept her from standing. “Sit here and look beautiful.”
“All right, all right.” She laughed. “Can’t say that I mind.”
A happy sigh spilled from her as she put her elbow on the breakfast bar and her chin in her hand. She loved seeing him in her kitchen. It was so domestic, and it made her think about the future. She could picture the same scene if they were married.
It was much too soon to think about marriage—after all, it had been only four months. But her heart was full when she was with him. Wherever she was, whatever she was doing, he would enter her thoughts. She was always thinking about him, always wanting to be close to him.
Time to focus on the moment. He was here, and she wanted to be totally present when they were together.
The muscles in his arms flexed with his movements as he loaded the dishwasher. She felt dreamy, like a teenager watching a rock star. Tucker was so darn hot and sexy.
