Page 35 of The Candle Palace (Jamison Valley 6)
I busied myself with the grease-covered paper bags by the sink, taking out the cartons with the fries first, then the sandwiches. I was in the middle of assembling Milo’s massive meal on his table when a knock sounded at the door.
Connie came inside, quickly shutting the door behind her. Then she licked her lips and smiled. “I’m starving. I love you for this, Sara. I haven’t had a Bruchi’s cheesesteak in ages.”
I giggled, handing over her own greasy paper bag. “Thanks for keeping this on the down low tonight.”
Her hand dove into the bag, rifling around until she had a home-style fry in hand. She groaned as she popped it into her mouth and chewed. “As far as I’m concerned, Milo fell asleep early and I’m giving him a nice quiet evening. Alone.”
“Thanks, Connie,” he said. “We appreciate it.”
“Call for me if you need anything.” She gave him a soft smile. “But I think you’re in good hands.”
“The best.”
I blushed, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. As Connie left, I went back to the bags and finished getting everything out for our dinner. I pushed Milo’s table farther up the bed, the sandwich and fries laid out and ready to devour. I was about to go to my chair in the corner but he slid his food over, making room for mine.
“Sit with me?”
“Okay.” I set my food down, then climbed up onto the bed next to his feet.
It was the first time we’d sat across a table from one another, and like this, it was easy to pretend we were in a restaurant, sitting in a dark booth with people milling about.
“One more thing.” He took the tea light he’d kept on the table since the day I’d put it there and turned it on. Then Milo stretched across the table, his thumb caressing my cheek. “Thank you for this. I’ve never had a real Valentine’s date.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
How was that possible? How was it possible he was still single? Were women in Montana blind? He was handsome and sweet. He cared about everything, especially people. He loved his mom. Respected his dad. He was strong and honest.
Apparently, all the women who’d crossed his path before were fools, and I was more than happy to sit across from a man they’d overlooked.
He took his hand away but the tingles from his touch remained. We started in on the meal, he going for a fry as I started on my cheesesteak first, tucking a piece of tender, hot roast beef in place so it wouldn’t fall out of the soft white bread.
“I haven’t had many Valentine’s dates either,” I told him. “Definitely not good ones.”
“Yeah? What was the worst?”
I grimaced. “I tried online dating once, and only once, right after my dad died. I think I was lonely and didn’t want to
sit alone on Valentine’s Day watching sappy romances on TV. The guy showed up twenty minutes late with lipstick on the collar of his white shirt and called me Serena all through dinner. I’ve never eaten so fast in my life.”
Milo laughed, a full laugh. White smile. Straight teeth. Soft, pink lips. And it occurred to me. “I’ve never seen you smile.”
“Huh?” He picked up his sandwich. “I smile all the time when you’re in the room.”
Not like this. Carefree. Pain-free. My heart skipped, hoping I’d see it more often. “I like your smile.”
“I like yours too.” He shoved a huge bite of his cheesesteak into his mouth, groaning as he chewed. “Oh my God.”
It came out muffled with his cheeks bulging. I laughed and did the same, enjoying the flavor of decadence and calories.
“Screw chocolates,” he said after swallowing. “Nothing says romance better than greasy cheesesteak.”
I laughed, covering my mouth with a hand so he wouldn’t see my food. We didn’t talk much as we devoured our meals. When we were done, I balled up the tissue paper and cartons, tossing it all into the trash. Then I went back to my spot on Milo’s bed, leaning up against his leg as he relaxed into the pillows, his arms—wrapped in white bandages—resting gently on his stomach.
“I talked to my mom today.”
“How is she?” I asked.
