Page 1009 of One More Kiss

I threw my head back and lavished every second of it.

Between panting breaths, I leaned forward and kissed him.

“You can surprise me like that anytime,” I whispered.

The hazy look in his eyes started to clear.

“That wasn’t the surprise, that was just a feral need to have you.” He kissed my lips, my cheeks, my throat, and then he set me back down on my feet. As my legs wobbled, I grabbed hold of him.

He leaned down and picked up our clothes.

“Okay, dress quickly, we’re late now.”

I giggled. “Late for what?”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.”

“Fine,” I conceded, rolling my eyes.

I let him lead me out of the house and into the car. He was quiet but obviously nervous as he drove us just outside of town.

I couldn’t begin to imagine what he was up to.

He stopped at this rundown building and parked. Jumping out he ran around to my side and helped me out.

“What are we doing here?” I finally asked him.

“Well, this is your surprise,” he said holding his arms out to the dilapidated building.

“I don’t get it.”

“Don’t look at it the way it is, Kate, look at it for what it could be. Come on.”

He grabbed my hand and dragged me inside.

“Is it safe?” I asked, fearing I was going to fall through the floorboards or something.

“It’s perfectly safe. I already had a contractor look at it. The bones are solid, and the rest is cosmetic and a little elbow grease.”

“We already have a house, Wyatt. I love our home.”

“As do I.”

“Then what am I looking at here?”

“I’m thinking we should call it Kate’s Diner,” he said with a grin so big that it made my heart melt.

“A diner?”

“Yeah, babe. Your diner. A place where everyone can come and experience the wonderful meals you love to cook.”

With Wyatt’s encouragement I had enrolled and then graduated from the local culinary arts program. It was my dream to own my own restaurant.

I looked around suddenly seeing the place with a new set of eyes.

I nodded. “The bar would go over there with drinks and stuff out in the open, a real diner kind of feel.” I walked into the next room. “This would be the kitchen. It’s plenty big, but if we could take this wall out, it would be perfect.” I went back into the main space. “The windows are perfect, just need a little cleaning. We can line booths beneath them and maybe a few tables over here.”

“You can see it too?” he asked.

“I can totally see it. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of, Wyatt, but can we afford it?”

“Yeah, we can. I’ve already gotten quotes on some of the work, and the six pack volunteered to help out with things we can do ourselves. I know it sounds dumb, but Kate, I think we should do it. Be dumb with me once more.”

I threw my arms around him and kissed him.

“Yes, yes, yes, a million times yes! This might be the dumbest thing we’ve ever done.”

“Yet…” he added with a wink.

* * *

---