Page 44 of Pursued By My Grumpy Fiancé
She obliges as I grab a broom from the walk-in pantry. I take my time sweeping, making sure there’s not a speck of dust on the floor before I empty the pan into the dust bin.
“Alright, your turn to relax. I’m wiping down the counter.”
She grabs a washcloth and wets it before running it over the messy counter. She rings it out in the sink after only a few moments. “There, good as new.”
She raises her nose into the air as the smell from the baking peaches starts to waft through the kitchen. It’s sweet, with a hint of spice, probably from the molasses in the brown sugar.
“So, where did you learn to make this dish?” she asks as the oven dings.
I grab the oven mitts out of the drawer next to the oven and pull the sizzling peaches from the oven.
“My mom used to—excuse me—used to make it when I was young. It’s simple, but it was always a comfort when I felt sad or angry.” I reach into the back of the freezer, past a hidden compartment, and pull out a tub of vanilla bean ice cream. Hailey’s mouth drops open.
“You’ve been hiding ice cream?!” she says.
I drop two scoops of ice cream into two bowls she has set out on the counter.
“Sorry, it’s habit. I grew up with two brothers who happen to be human vacuums.”
She studies me as I stab a fork into some of the peach chunks from the dish and set them on top of the ice cream. I hand her a bowl and grab my own.
“Want to watch something? I don’t think I’m getting back to sleep anytime soon,” I offer.
She nods and follows me into the living room. We sit down on the couch and I watch as she takes a bite of the dessert. Her eyes roll back in pleasure.
“Oh my god, this is amazing. Like, the best thing I’ve ever eaten.” I take a bite of my own and enjoy the sweetness as feelings from my childhood wash over me.
“Want to watch Golden Girls?” Hailey asks as she turns on the tv and snuggles up against me.
I look at her and am about to make a quip until I see how into the show she really is. I simply nod and put my arms around her, content with the feeling of her body against mine.
Chapter Nineteen
Hailey
MyheartthudsasI hear someone entering the combination on the keypad outside the door. I take a look at the living room, making sure that everything is in place. Freshly popped popcorn, check. Snuggle blankets covering the couch, check. Breakfast at Tiffany’s loaded up on the tv, check. Wait, dang it. I forgot movie candies! I frown. No movie is complete without a package of Twizzlers to complement it.
Ever since that late night last week, when we fell asleep snuggled on the couch after Landon’s delicious peach dessert, we’ve been sleeping together in Landon’s room. There was just something so romantic and tender about waking up together on the couch in the morning.
I aced my Constitutional Theories exam with flying colors, which is also thanks to Landon. I might have passed, but it definitely wouldn’t have been to the same standard if he hadn’t challenged me the way he did. With all of that in mind, I decided to plan a surprise date for Landon. Not just to thank him, but because I really want to show him a piece of my world, of the normal world. I think that because he’s always been rich, there is a lot that he’s missed or is not necessarily caught up on. But, this date is intended to get him up to speed.
Landon walks through the door and I throw my hands out wide.
“Surprise!” I shout and he looks around, confused. “I planned a date for us. Actually, I planned several dates for us, but it starts with Breakfast at Tiffany’s!”
“Like the diner downtown?” he asks, his eyebrows pulling in together.
“No, like the best movie ever.” I step aside so the TV is in view.
My eyebrows pull together then. “Wait, there’s a Breakfast at Tiffany’s diner downtown?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think that it’s related to the movie. Although, I truly couldn’t say for sure.” He takes in the view of the blankets, popcorn, and TV before smiling at me.
“You know what, sure. This could be fun. Let me change out of my suit and I’ll be right out,” he says, going into the bedroom.
I bounce onto the couch and settle in before grabbing a handful of popcorn and throwing it in my mouth. Hmm. Maybe I shouldn’t have pre-made it. Oh well.
Landon steps out of the room, and I can’t help but admire the way his pants cling to his muscular legs. The sleeveless shirt he’s wearing shows off his arm muscles, biceps rippling with every arm movement. It should be illegal how hot he is.
