‘That’s up to you.’ Nora ended the call with a naughty giggle. She was already looking forward to getting home from work and she hadn’t even left the house yet!
When Nora and Biscuit arrived home later that evening, Elijah was waiting for her in her kitchen with a bunch of flowers.
‘Do you have something to apologise for?’ she asked after he’d greeted the dog (she knew her place in the pecking order).
‘Not this time.’
‘Then why the flowers?’
‘Because I can’t bring you chocolates.’
‘I don’t need chocolates. I don’t need flowers, either. All I need is you.’
‘And Biscuit,’ he pointed out.
‘That goes without saying. But why do you feel the need to bring me flowers? I’m not complaining, mind you. Just curious.’
‘Because I want to butter you up.’
Elijah took her in his arms and she snuggled into him as he ran his hands down the curve of her waist and over her hips, which were considerably slimmer than when she’d first met him. She’d reached her target weight, was eating healthily with the occasional treat (thanks to Elijah), and was exercising every day (thanks to Biscuit). Her glucose levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol were also all now within normal range – and she intended them to stay that way.
‘Why do you want to butter me up?’ she asked, nibbling his neck and giggling when he groaned in response.
Biscuit let out a disgruntled huff and turned his back on them. He guessed what was coming next. Nora, however, didn’t guess, because what Elijah said came as a complete surprise.
‘How do you feel about us moving in together?’ he asked.
Nora drew back to look him in the eye. ‘I rather like the idea,’ she replied, after giving herself a moment to think about it. They were living in each other’s pockets most of the time anyway, between her house and his, so it was the sensible thing to do.‘I’m sure can make room for some of your stuff, but not all of it though,’ she warned. Her house wasn’t all that big.
‘What do you mean, “make room for my stuff”? I assumedyouwould move in withme.’
‘Whatever gave you that idea?’ She grabbed his backside and pulled him closer.
‘Because I’ve got a bigger garden.’
‘My house is larger, and your garden is only abitbigger than mine,’ she countered.
‘My kitchen is nicer than yours, and since I do most of the cooking…’
‘Only because you’re home from work before me. I’m quite happy to cook.’
‘You hate cooking!’
‘I don’t mind it,’ she argued.
‘Liar.’
He’d got her there; she really wasn’t that keen on cooking. ‘I’ve got a power shower,’ she pointed out.
‘We could have a new one installed in my house.’
‘Ilikemy house.’
‘And I like mine.’
The dog whined and Nora said, ‘I’ve got an idea. We’ll ask Biscuit to decide. What do you say, Biscuit?’
Nora and Elijah turned to stare at the dog.
