Page 17 of Wrong Place, Wright Time
He follows me into the kitchen, lit by just the overhead light from the range hood as I pull two glasses out of my dark wooden cabinets and take a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc out of the fridge.
“Wanna grab a couple of plates from in here,” I say, tapping the cupboard they’re in with my foot. “The puzzle is this way.”
Banks grins again, his eyes shining like everything about this evening is thoroughly entertaining for him. Then he gets the plates and follows me into the main living area.
“I normally just sit on the floor—the rug is really thick. But we can use the couch if you like. Pull the coffee table nice and close.”
“The floor is fine,” Banks says, taking a pack off his back I didn’t notice at first and setting it on the floor to the side of the couch.
“Is that your contribution to the evening?” I ask, suddenly really wanting to know what’s in his bag.
“It is. But I think that maybe we should do the puzzle first. My hobby isn’t for everyone.”
“Now I’m really intrigued.”
“As you should be.” He waggles his brows up and down then gets to work pulling boxes of delicious-smelling food out of a paper bag. “But that big reveal will have to wait until after we’ve eaten,anduntil after we’ve puzzled ourselves out.”
“You think a puzzle lover can be ‘puzzled out’?” I ask, taking the brand new thousand piece box from beneath the coffee table and setting it on top.
“Not on a tiny thing like that,” he says with a grin, his eyes falling to the box in my hands.
“I didn’t want to overwhelm you on your first time,” I say, batting my lashes and realizing that I’m flirting with him. Over puzzles.Maybe this guy could be something more than a friend?
“Don’t go easy on me,” he murmurs, the intimacy in his voice causing my insides to liquefy. “I can take it.”
“OK. But remember you asked for it.”
“With you, I’ll always be asking for it.”
With my cheeks heating, I slide the box back in place before pulling out a three-thousand piece one instead. “This is not only bigger, but it’s also made of entirely black and white striped pieces. So it’s almost impossible to guess where each piece goes.”
I set it on top of the coffee table and Banks leans forward, nodding slowly as he peruses the box. “OK. Now,thisis a challenge.”
“Then we better get started.” Picking up a set of wooded chopsticks, I separate them with a snap and smile. I may have wanted this as a way to show Banks how unexciting my life really is, but now that he’s here and so willing, I think this night may prove to be the best date I’ve ever been on.
Banks
“What are your feelings toward ice cream?” I ask, standing up from my position on the floor and stretching out my back. Isla was right when she said the rug was comfortable, and her couch provided just the right amount of back support to keep me wanting to keep my butt planted while we chatted, ate and worked on that impossible puzzle together. We’re two hours in, and barely one quarter through.
“Ice cream and I are great friends. I’m a big fan of mint choc-chip.”
I nod slightly, conceding that her flavor choice is gold standard. “On it’s own, or with a scoop of chocolate fudge to add a little punch?”
She grins. “Add in a strong coffee to that and you’ve got yourself a dessert buddy,” she says, holding out her hand and letting me help her to her feet.
Wrapping my big hand around hers, I help her up, adding a gentle tug at the end so she has no choice but to brace herself against my chest.God it feels good to have her this close.
“You did that on purpose,” she says, smiling up at me, her voice a little more husky than it was a moment ago.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.”
“You promised no funny business.”
“I promised no kissing. There’s a lot we can do without kissing, Isla.”
Her body shudders in response and I feel each and every tiny tremor. “I’m sure there’s plenty. But that’s not what we’re here for, is it?”
“I don’t know, Isla. What exactly are we here for? I mean, besides you trying your best to convince me that my interest in you is completely misplaced.”
