Page 48 of What I'm Looking For

Her face is all innocence. “I thought you wanted me to stay.”

“I changed my mind.”

“I’ll just get my bag and get out of the way, then.” She sighs, a hand to her brow. “I know when I’m not welcome.”

“Will, I think I have a new actress for your company.”

“I’m leaving. But I expect a full report, Kate.”

“Alice!” I’m going to kill her. She hasn’t moved, so I tromp up the steps, unlock the door, reach inside my apartment for her bag, and then whip back around to toss it to her. “Here’s your bag; where’s your hurry?”

“Talk to you later,beautiful,” she says meaningfully. “Bye, Will. Be nice to her. Or I’ll find you and… hmm.” She looks him up and down. “Have somebody else work you over.”

She’s halfway to her car before I find my voice. “She is so embarrassing.”

“As you’ve seen, my friends are worse.” He picks up two grocery bags. “So… surprise. I brought breakfast.”

He’s blushing. It’s adorable.

I peek inside a bag. Seeing what’s on top, I go on tiptoe to give him a little kiss. “Muffins are always a good surprise.”

His arms reach around me to deepen the kiss, but I skitter back.

“I’m gross! No touching until after I shower!” Giving him a wide berth, I head inside.

He follows, grumbling. “All right.”

I look over my shoulder, relieved to see the smile on his face, and point down the hall. “Kitchen’s that way!” I run for my room. “I’m gonna take a quick shower, and I’ll be out in a jiff!”

“Let me know if you need help,” is the last thing I hear as I shut the bedroom door behind me.

WILL

Fifteen minutes later, Kate emerges from her bedroom in clean shorts and a tee, hair dripping onto her shoulders, feet bare. No makeup on her face, just a devilish grin.

Taking over her kitchen was awkward at first, but I’ve managed to get omelet ingredients prepped. She looks hungry, so I pick up a muffin. “Want some?”

Interestingly, her eyes track back and forth between the muffin and my mouth. “Hm. Some of what?”

I like where this is going, so I play along. “How about a little bit of everything?”

She steps closer. “I could go for a smorgasbord right now.”

“I’ll trade you a kiss for a bite of this muffin.”

“Yes, please.”

I hold it up high. “Kiss first.”

“I gotta have half of that thing before I fall over,” she whines. “My blood sugar’s dropping.”

As slowly as possible, I peel the wrapper off. “If it’s a medical emergency.”

“It definitely is.” She takes a huge bite and moans as she chews and swallows. “I might need something else to make me feel completely well.”

“I’m not a doctor, but I’ve played one on stage. Maybe I can help.”

She makes quick work of the muffin, then points at her mouth, whimpering.

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