Page 23 of Lady Luck's Kiss
Charlie burst out laughing at his candid expression. “You had me until Chef Boyardee came along. Set the table, light the candles and let me see what I have.”
“You can cook? Dang, I knew you were perfect.”
“Not the greatest, but I get by.” She grabbed some butter, frozen shrimp and spaghetti, sautéing it in a skillet. A touch of heavy cream and she put it to simmer for ten minutes. That would be enough time to open the wine and have a seat with the most gorgeous man she’d had the fortune to meet. Turning around, she saw that he had already poured two glasses for them and set the cheese tray on the table. There was also a small bouquet of flowers.
“Where’d those come from?”
“Kroger.”
“Silly, I meant ‘where did you have those hidden?’ Were they in the basket this whole time?”
“I had it crammed full of goodies. There is one left, too.”
“Your closer?” Her voice was wry as she glanced over her shoulder at him.
“Exactly. The closer.”
“Well, keep your ‘closer’ with you. Dinner will be ready in a few. I hope you are ready for something simple, yet edible.”
“Sounds great,” he said with a grin and handed her a glass of wine. He raised his glass towards her. “To chance encounters and the happiness that they bring.”
“To chance encounters,” she repeated softly and took a sip. She was surprised when he invited her to sit down and offered to serve up the meal. “You don’t know where the plates are.”
“But you are here and could tell me,” he countered with a smile. “Let me sweep you off your feet, little one. I can’t cook, but I can dish it up and play the romantic for my lady.” Holding out the chair for her, he smiled tenderly. “Have a seat, love.”
Charlie sat down for two reasons. One, he asked her to. And two, he called herlove. Her knees went weak at hearing the word come out of his mouth. Yes, it was a term of endearment. But not one thrown around lightly in her book.
She watched him move about her tiny, feminine kitchen and realized she liked seeing him in her little sanctuary, her home. Jack grabbed two plates and filled them, setting one down in front of her and then pulling a chair out beside her.
The dim lights in her apartment, the candle votives and the sunset all gave off a warm glow that seemed to make their dinner even more intimate. Jack pulled out his iPhone and put on some music. Adjusting the volume, he smiled at her. “How am I doing?”
“Well, I’m impressed.”
“Have I swept you off your feet?”
“Sure,” she said laughing. “I’m sitting, so that is a win in your book.”
“Hear, hear!” he said with a smile and clinked his glass with hers again. “Charlie, this is really wonderful.”
“Yes, it is. Eat while it’s hot,” she urged, starting to feel a bit antsy at being so alone. She couldn’t help imagining things changing between them when her bed was not ten feet from where they were sitting in her studio apartment. His dark, tanned skin against her white eyelet coverlet and pink sheets?
Oh maann…
Don’t think about that!
Don’t even consider it - Ten Speed!
Village bike - remember?
Grabbing her wine and looking away, she felt her face heating up.
They finished their meal in a peaceful silence. Jack emptied the wine bottle between their glasses and set it on the counter. Swirling the white wine in her glass, she felt herself feeling languid. This truly was wonderful. No pressure, no stress and that was what she liked the most about him.
“You think it’s time for the closer?” he teased.
“Are you ready for the night to be over?” she responded pertly, making him chuckle in awareness.
“I have something special that I’d like to show you.”
