Page 147 of Almost Love

"They’ve always been dates, Clem.”

Her heart soared at the words, because as much as she tried not to think of them that way, she had also admitted to herself that they were dates. It was always the two of them, being silly and cute like when they were naked.

“Maybe next date night, we can make dim sums together.” He smiled, looking through the paper menu on the table.

“Chef Kinney can make cake, but she can’t make dim sums,” a deep voice said and she laughed as she glanced at Li Huáng.

“Oakley, this is Li. He’s the owner of this establishment and Zoe’s father. He’s also a dim sum expert and gave up on teaching me how to make them the right way.”

“Good to meet you, Oakley. If you want dim sums, you come see me. Don’t bother this fumbling young lady. There are some things she cannot do.”

She rolled her eyes, but caught Oakley’s beaming smile as he talked with Li. While they were busy, she filled out the menu card using the pencil on the table. While she had a standard list of dishes she usually ordered, she picked a few new onesto experiment with. Then handed it over when Zoe came by, dragging her father away at the same time.

“You make some really good friends, chef.”

“Food brings people together and I like food,” she said with a shrug, because it wasn’t like she could take credit for any of this.

He smiled and settled back in his seat. “So it was meant to be our first stop?”

“Yup. But we got distracted.”

“If I remember correctly,youdistracted me with that kiss.”

He wasn’t wrong. She remembered that first kiss vividly—the way he gripped her ass and how his tongue swept into her mouth, the feeling of his hard body pressed against hers.

“You didn’t seem to be complaining.”

“Nobody in their right mind would complain about being kissed by you.”

“Would they complain about anything else?”

Oakley pretended to think about it and she gasped like she was shocked by his response, which made him smile. But his expression turned serious and he tilted his head as he spoke.

“All those people from your past, the ones that didn’t see you for who you really are…I hope they can see you now. See the incredible businesswoman you’ve become, see the beautiful woman you are and see how fucking talented you are. That’s what drew me to you and what makes me honored to even be in your presence.”

She blinked back tears at the sincerity of his words and smiled, looking at the garden. It was easier than staring Oakley in the eyes and seeing his love, desire and affection reflected back at her. She appreciated him for all of those things, but to hear the words always shocked her.

“We’ve been through enough, melor. Together and apart. We’re going to keep doingthis. Together.”

She nodded and looked back at Oakley. Now he was smiling, the same kind of smile he flashed at her when they first met. The kind of smile that would render just about every person useless in his presence.

Lunch, as she expected, was fantastic. Because the food was so good, they barely spoke, other than to groan about how amazing everything was. When they finished, she hopped into the driver’s seat of his Jeep and grinned. It was the first time she’d even attempted to drive it, but she was excited at the prospect. There was a little protesting, but once he handed the keys over, she didn’t hold back. She pulled up in front of her house and sent Oakley in to retrieve Gracie. Then drove them to A Fine Needle and hopped out before he could refuse. He climbed out reluctantly and had barely set Gracie down before she was charging into the shop as Clementine opened the door.

“On my day off, babe, really?”

“This is important,” she countered and winked at Carin who was keeping Gracie busy. “We’re doing tattoos.”

“We?”

She hummed. “I know you’ve designed a tattoo or two for me. Show me and I’ll get one done today.”

“Clem…”

“Seriously, Oak. Mark me up.”

His eyes darkened at the words and she smirked, because she knew that it was similar to what she’d said to him in bed.

“Your work station is all set up,” Carin called out and Clementine looped her arm through Oakley’s, dragging him over.

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