Page 70 of When Annika Met Thom

In fact, it seemed kind of like a fair trade: he was filling the deficits in her experience of physical intimacy and she was going to shake up his assumptions. In the end, both of them would be in a better place to make a new partnership. She helped Thom cook by dicing as directed, then setting the table, drinking Prosecco and dancing a little bit as they worked.

“You’re happy,” he said finally, after he’d watched her for a few moments.

“Guilty as charged,” she said and bumped his hip with her own. “Your fault.”

“And you have a plan.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do. I can hear the wheels turning.”

“It’s true,” Annika agreed, not in the mood to argue about anything. “I do.”

“Care to share?”

“Wouldn’t that be building a connection?”

Thom gave a short laugh. “Point to you.”

She refilled their glasses, then leaned against the counter and watched him. He had great hands. He had, actually, great everything. “Do you still want to know?”

“You still want to tell me. Isn’t that the same thing?”

Annika laughed and poked him. “You have to ask.”

Thom sighed with forbearance, then sipped his Prosecco as if to postpone the moment. He was making her wait and she knew it by the twinkling of his eyes.

She could wait, too, and she did.

She hoped she could outwait him but soon realized the man had patience of legendary proportions.

“Well?” she asked when she couldn’t stand it anymore.

Thom chuckled again. “Got you.”

“You did.”

“Okay, tell me about the big plan.”

“I was thinking that I owe you.”

“Not really. Everyone had a good time.”

“But this is helping me move forward, to discover what I’ve missed and define my objectives for the future. It’s providing new data for the new plan.”

He lifted his brows. “Do you have a plan for everything?”

“Pretty much.” Annika didn’t give him time to think about that. “And now that one plan has failed…”

“Due to no fault of your own.”

“Except ignoring what was right in front of my eyes.” She took another sip. “I need another plan.”

“Well, you must have time.”

“Why?”

“Because Leo still has another year of med school and you’re in Portland.” Thom served the meal, filling two plates, one with more than the other. It smelled amazing. He carried the plates to the table and Annika brought the glasses and the sparkling wine.

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