Page 76 of The Last Goodbye

I nodded. “I see. Yet, you still came for dinner tonight, huh?”

“I’m never going to pass up one of your meals, Bass. I’m a sucker for a good steak and lobster dinner.”

I stood up and checked on the food, flipping the steaks and shifting the lobster over a bit, away from the flame, before I tossed the vegetables in the basket.

“Well, we’re friends, so you can ask me to cook for you anytime.”

“Really? Are we besties now?” She pushed her tongue in her cheek just as a light breeze bustled by, and her blond waves shifted behind her shoulders.

I plated our food, set it down on the coffee table where we were sitting, and jogged back down the steps to grab the roast potatoes from the oven.

My palms were actually sweating.

I was fucking nervous.

What was it about her that had me slightly off-balance?

My chest was tight, and it sure as shit wasn’t indigestion. My stomach knotted in the strangest way.

And I realized in this moment that I couldn’t remember the last time I’d smiled this much.

Laughed this much.

Actually, felt this kind of comfort with a woman.

Hell, I found any reason I could to be around her, didn’t I?

And that’s when it hit me. Like a punch to the gut.

I fucking like this girl.

Nothing about this felt like dinner with a friend.

I handed her a napkin and a set of silverware. “Are you cool eating dinner right here? We could go down to the table, but it’s nicer out here.”

“I love it out here.”

“Okay, dig in.” I motioned for her to eat first, and she gave me another pointed look as she shook her head with disbelief.

“So bossy.”

I shrugged. I didn’t really give a shit. I wanted to make sure it was cooked correctly before I’d eat mine.

She wrapped her lips around her fork, and the most erotic groan escaped her. Of course my dick heard the sound loud and clear, and he shot to attention, causing me to shift my legs the slightest bit as my erection strained against the zipper of my jeans.

Is she fucking with me?

“What the hell is with the groaning?” I asked, not hiding my irritation.

“What? The steak is so good. You’re a chef. Don’t you love that? It’s the biggest form of flattery.”

“I’m also a man, Briar.” I shot her a warning look. “A man. Do you hear me? I’m. A. Man.”

She used her hand to cover her mouth, but a laugh still escaped her, and she nodded. “Oh, I hear you, McGrumpy. Loud and clear.”

I adjusted the napkin on my lap and closed my eyes for a few seconds, hoping I could send a signal for the big guy to take a chill pill.

“I think someone needs to tell your boner that it’s inappropriate to show up to a ‘friends only’ dinner.” She took a bite of lobster and made the same damn sound once again.