Page 41 of Together

“I was not expecting that information dump. I’m a little dizzy from it, I think.”

He chuckles, digging into the macaroni and cheese first. “You think?”

I give him an eye roll and pop a fry into my mouth.

“Dip it into the ranch,” he suggests, pushing his bowl of ranch dressing in the middle of the table.

“Why?”

“You’ll see.”

“That’s not a reason.”

“Trust me. Is that a reason?”

I do as instructed and groan. “Holy shit.”

“Told you.”

I give him a look that goes right over his head because, well, I’m suddenly ravenous and I’m shoveling food into my mouth at the speed of sound. I’m like a high school wrestler who’s just made weight and he’s been told he can eat again.

“Good, right?”

“Oh my word, yes. Where has this combo been my whole life?”

“On top of the rock you were living under,” he quips.

I snort and then we fall into a comfortable silence while we eat our delicious meal. I’m sure I’ll be regretting it later, but I practically lick my plate clean.

Once we’re finished, I lean against the back of my chair. “I’m so full.”

“Me, too. But I just have a food baby in there. You have a baby, too. Dang, I still can’t believe that. It feels weird to even say it out loud, you know?”

“Oh, trust me, I know. So what’s your plan for the rest of the day?”

“You tell me. I’m all yours, remember?”

“I had some pretty big plans of heading home for a nap since it’s my day off and I just ate more food than I normally do at Thanksgiving.”

The waitress comes by to take away our empty plates and drops off our ticket which Nik grabs immediately.

“You don’t have to do that,” I protest.

“Shut up,” he says playfully.

After paying and a quick stop at the restroom for me, I join him outside by his truck which we rode in together after my appointment.

He opens the door for me and waits until I’m settled before closing the door and joining me in the cab. “Want to go for a walk?”

“It’s freezing out.”

“So? We’ve got coats. I have extra gloves in here,” he lifts the lid in the console that separates us, pulling out two pair of gloves, “and a couple stocking hats. Let’s go for a walk. Get some fresh air.”

“Really?” I don’t think I’ve ever gone for a walk with a guy before. It seems so… relationship-y. Domestic.

“Yup.”

“Okay, yeah. Sure. Sounds fun.”

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