Page 45 of His North Star
“That’s better than you.” His lips were in a straight line.
“What do I do?”
“Nothing. Which is dreadfully worse.”
I bumped his side with my hip. “Fine, I’ll join the bop-it ranks.”
He shook his head, a slight smile on his face. “Just feel the rhythm and stop being stiff.”
After we washed the dishes, Ty led me to the living room. He placed one hand on my waist, his other hand captured mine. Our steps were fast, yet limited to my small space. Ty swung me out and back in. He dipped me low, winked, then raised me back up.
My sides ached from laughing.
“I wish we could make dinner together every night,” I said. “It’s way more fun when you’re around.”
“Any time you want company, I’ll be here.”
The oven timer beeped, ending our party. I stepped away from Ty and went to the kitchen. Over my shoulder I said, “Don’t make a promise you can’t keep. Because I mean it.”
“I do too.” He nodded. “You cook better than I do.”
A repeat of this every week? Where’s the sign-up sheet? “Okay. What about a set night?” I pulled the cobbler out. Heat wafted against my cheeks. Baked sugar and pastry dough swam in the air. It smelled divine.
His eyes squinted, and his head wavered. It was his classic thinking face. “Wednesdays?”
Wednesdays were James’s night off. Did I want to miss out on a possible date night with him for Ty? I hesitated. It hadn’t mattered yet when James was supposed to get off. He never did. Ty was here, right now, offering me time. “Deal.”
He folded his arms across his chest, a smile on his lips. “I’m going to like this new arrangement.”
“Me too.” I smiled back. “We’re going to have to learn more songs.”
“I’ve got the music covered.” He patted his back pocket where his phone rested. “There are over two hundred albums on here. And I have unlimited music at home.”
How many people walked around with a radio-station-sized playlist on their phone? How much had that cost anyway? My eyes widened as I calculated an estimate. Whoa, way too much money. “Does this mean we’re cooking at your place every week?” I asked.
“Nah, we can alternate. Especially in the winter. I don’t want you driving if the weather’s bad.”
My brows rose. I wasn’t sixteen anymore. I knew how to navigate in the snow. “But it’s fine for you to drive in horrid conditions?”
“My truck handles it better. Besides, I’m looking out for your safety. Don’t get all uptight about it.”
“Fine.” I released a sigh.
“Fine.” He leaned close and smirked.
I pushed his shoulder. “We should eat so we can leave soon.”
He scooped a large serving of cobbler on two plates. He passed one to me.
“One scoop or two?” I asked, holding the carton of ice cream.
“Two, please.”
After we were both seated and had taken a few bites, I released a slow breath while pushing my plate away. My stomach couldn’t handle any more sugar with my nerves acting up. It was now or never. I had to talk to Ty about the support group. We wouldn’t have a moment alone around the community center crowd, as Ty would be the hot commodity tonight. I’d bet money every woman would flirt with him. He may even give Phillip a much-needed break from all the female attention.
“Um, I found this place that we should check out,” I said.
“What kind of place?”
