Page 114 of Loverboy
“Let’s have both, then.” He taps the table with one of his bandaged hands.
As I spread a napkin onto the table and reach into the box, my emotions are bouncing around faster than the bonus level of a pinball game. I feel a rush of joy that I’m here beside him. And a deep, cold fear for what could have happened.
Don’t forget about us!my hormones sing.Gunnar may be temporarily out of commission, but we’ll be waaaaaiting!
Today I recognize this symphony of emotions for what it really is.Love. That’s the sum of joy and fear and desire all together. It’s terrifying. I never meant to fall in love right after leaving a bad marriage. And Gunnar may well decide he’s had enough of New York, given the way things turned out.
Love doesn’t care, though. Love is hopeful anyway. Love sets out two donuts on the table and gently breaks off a bite-sized piece. And love lifts it to Gunnar’s waiting smile.
“Mmm,” he says as the ginger falls on his tongue. “Marry me.”
I let out a shaky laugh, because I’m overemotional right now. “I’ll give Teagan your regards.”
“No,” he says, licking his lips as I raise the straw to his mouth. “I don’t want to marry Teagan, or this donut. Although the donut would be higher up on the list. Someday I’m going to ask you to marry me, Posy. This bachelor is turning over a new leaf.”
“Gunnar,” I breathe, breaking off another bit of donut. “They must have you hooked up to some pretty great drugs.”
He pins me with those cool eyes. “You don’t understand. I came over to your apartment to tell you that we weren’t over. And I said it was because we were having so much fun. I don’t know why I had to be locked into a basement with a weapons-grade poisonous gas to be able to say this. But I love you. And I want us to be together.”
GUNNAR LOVES US!my hormones shout.
“Honey…” I pull one of those coffees Teagan sent me out of the bag and open the lid, because I need coffee for this conversation. “Don’t try to plan your life twenty minutes after waking up from your gunshot wound surgery.”
“Aw.” He reaches out a bandaged hand and catches my cheek. “I promised myself that if I got out of that basement, I’d tell you how I really feel.”
“But—”
“But nothing. Sometimes a guy needs to have a reckoning moment to get his priorities in order. Tell you what. I’ll get myself back into shape and then ask you again. Looks like I’m not going back to California anytime soon. I’m trapped here with you, baby. Use me.” He gives me flirty eyes, and then—my weakness—that loverboy smile.
“Damn you for being hot even when you’re in a hospital bed.”
Gunnar reaches up to fiddle with his hospital gown, tugging the halves apart a little.
“What are you doing?”
“This part of me doesn’t have any holes in it. So I’m using my best assets to convince you.” He takes a sniff of the air. “Is that a cappuccino? Who made it?”
“Some guy named Rico that Max flew in to cover the pie shop.”
Gunnar lets out a bark of laughter, but it makes him cough. And he doesn’t stop until I give him another sip of water. “Rico the barista?” he asks finally. “Lots of tats? Gruff voice?”
“That’s the guy.”
“He taught me everything I know. I worked my ass off for that guy. You know why? Because I wanted to impress you. I’ve always wanted that.”
“Gunnar.” I don’t know what to do with that.
“Hey—I have a question. And I need an honest answer.”
“Okay?” I’m afraid of what it might be. I take a nice gulp of Rico’s excellent cappuccino and prepare myself.
“Tell it to me straight. Is Rico’s coffee better than mine? You always seemed to appreciate the lattes I brought you before we opened each day. But a guy needs to make sure his girl isn’t faking it.”
I choke on the coffee. “Gunnar!”
“Just taste it again and tell me if it’s better than mine. Do I have to take more lessons with Rico to convince you I’m serious about you?”
“This is the craziest conversation we’ve ever had. This coffee is excellent.” He frowns, so I hurry to finish my thought. “But it turns out that technique isn’t as important as I thought. There’s nothing quite like the sight of you—with that loverboy smile—bringing me my first cup of the day. When you used to open up the cafe, and bring me a latte?” I look over my shoulder to make sure we’re alone. “I felt iteverywhere.”
