Page 146 of Almost Love

“Like what you see, melor?”

“It’s okay,” she teased, earning a loud laugh in response.

Grabbing her cropped leather jacket and handbag, she walked out of the bedroom. She was tugging on her sneakers when he joined her, jacket and boots in his hands.

“Still staring, baby.”

“I’m allowed to look at the man I love.”

He growled, walking over to her with purpose. “I will never tire of hearing you say that.”

“That I love you?”

“Once more.”

She pulled on her jacket and flicked her hair over her shoulder, dragging it out as Oakley watched her. At his raised eyebrows, she grinned. “I love you.”

“I love you more, sweetheart.”

“It’s not a competition.”

“Just a fact, my love,” he countered with a grin. “Now, take me to lunch. Otherwise I’m going to eat you right here.”

Clementine prided herself on always finding fantastic new restaurants. Which was how she stumbled across Catching Fillings, a family-owned dumpling spot that had no signage and relied heavily on word-of-mouth. She’d found it with Mack one afternoon and had become a regular. Located in a nondescript building with an unmarked door, it was hidden away perfectly.

The look on Oakley’s face as she led him down the long hallway was the same one she knew she’d worn the first time she’d visited. Pushing the final door open, Clementine glanced back at him and saw his eyes widen as he took in the place. The restaurant was packed, staff ran between tables dropping off food and taking orders. People of all races and generations filled the space, adding to the noise levels. For someone who often struggled with sensory overload, being there was weirdly comforting. There was something about knowing that once you sat down and food was set in front of you, nothing else mattered.

“Chef Kinney!” a squeaky voice called out and she steadied herself as a small body slammed into her. “It’s been so long.” The words came out muffled against her stomach and Clementine laughed as she ruffled the top of the kid’s head before pulling her back.

“It’s good to see you too, Zoe.”

“Why didn’t you come back before?”

She pouted, but made sure to smile at the little girl. “Been really busy. But I’m here now.”

“Happy to see you. And yourfriend.”

Rolling her eyes, she stepped aside and reached for Oakley’s hand. “Zoe, this is Oakley. This is Zoe, her parents own this place.”

“Nice to meet you, Zoe.”

“Are you Chef Kinney’s boyfriend?”

Oakley nodded, seeming to puff out his chest as he said, “Absolutely. Lucky me, huh?”

“Duh,” Zoe said with an eye roll that rivaled Clementine’s. “Your table is free,” she called back as she vanished out of sight.

“Always feels like I’m hanging out with someone famous,” he said as he linked their fingers.

“Iamfamous.” She led the way to her usual table by the large picture window looking into a garden. “Most of the vegetables in their food are grown here. It’s one of the things that fascinated me when I first came by.”

“This is incredible.”

“It was meant to be the first stop on our food tour. But now it’s our last.”

His eyebrows dipped. “We’re done?”

“The other places we go to can be dates.”

---