Serena nodded.
“Yeah, I just met with Sadie, and she suggested I go inside to meet the others, and then I’m free to go. You?”
“Yeah, I already met everyone, except Sadie, although I saw her … I’m off until noon tomorrow.”
“Me, too. Which is good, cause I can go get stuff done at the gallery.”
“I heard about Reardon and Chloe, congrats on being … well, I guess not an aunt, more of a second cousin?” I said, unsure of how that all worked out. “Anyway, congrats on another baby in the family.”
Serena smiled. “Thanks. He’s so small and cute. Have you seen him yet?”
I shook my head.
“Not yet. I always think hospitals are for the family. I’ll wait until they’re home, then stop by to congratulate the new parents and see little Skywalker.”
Serena laughed, and I really enjoyed the sound, and the look of laughter on her. She looked lighter, somehow, and looser than her usual ultra-composed self.
“You heard about that, huh?”
“Yeah, I gotta hand it to him, he’s really committed to his fandom,” I said with a chuckle. Then, unthinkingly, my hand raised to her face, and I ran my thumb gently across her cheek. I barely registered how silky soft her skin was, before I realized what I was doing and lowered my hand.
I didn’t apologize, not only because I wasn’t sorry, but because her lids had lowered and her breath had caught, and the ways she was looking up at me really made me want to kiss her.
“I know you have to work, but what do you say I bring dinner by the gallery,” I suggested, needing to see her again. “I promise to bring whatever you want, and not to stay long, just long enough to make sure you’ve gotten your nourishment for the evening.”
Serena nodded slowly, still dazed from my touch.
“I’d like that,” she murmured.
“Perfect, text me what you want, and I’ll bring it by. Say, six o’clock?”
“Sounds good,” Serena replied, and I gave her one last grin before moving past her to leave and go to my truck, a little happier than I’d been before I’d almost bumped into her.
“Great, see you then.”
“Bye,” she said softly, and I swear, I saw her gaze flit to my ass before she blushed and turned to go in the house.