He nodded and looked away. “I just want you to be happy, Miney.”
“I am. I’ve been so happy being back home and here with you. With the holidays coming up, it just feels really good.”
“It does. I’m glad you’re here. But I’ve got to say, I don’t think it’s cool that he changed the plans to dinner tonight.”
I pursed my lips and studied him. “Why does that matter?”
“Because you’re my woman, right? I mean, as far as he knows. He can’t just take you to dinner without running it by me. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I think that chili pepper has made you a little crazy. You don’t need to play the role of the caveman boyfriend. This is what we wanted to happen, remember?”
He turned away and huffed, and I couldn’t help but laugh. He was being ridiculous.
The doorbell rang, and we both startled. “He’s here. He insisted on picking me up.”
“I’ll bet he did. What a fucking gentleman.” He made no attempt to hide his irritation as he tried to shove past me.
“You do not need to walk me to the door,” I whisper-hissed, moving in front of him.
“What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t make sure that he knew I was paying attention?”
I shook my head and grumped. “The fake kind?”
“Hey. I take my role very seriously. Don’t underestimate me.”
Finn opened the door and immediately glared at Carl as I slipped into my jacket.
“Hey. You look—” Carl paused and looked at Finn before turning his attention back to me. “Nice.”
“Nice observation. But she always looks nice. Come here, baby.” Finn reached for my hand and spun me until I slammed into his chest. He tipped my chin up, and his lips covered mine. We hadn’t discussed any pregame kiss, but he was the professional actor, so I’d follow his lead.
His lips were soft, just like the last time he’d kissed me. I’d thought about it a lot since it had happened. The man could definitely kiss.
His tongue slipped in, and my hands moved on instinct to his hair as I urged him closer.
God. I’d never been kissed like this, not before Finn.
A loud noise pulled me from my daze, and I realized Carl was clearing his throat, reminding us that he was there.
Finn pulled back. “Don’t stay out too late, Miney. I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Yeah, of course,” I said, my words breathy as I patted my bun into place, and Carl pulled the door open and walked briskly away from us toward his car.
I turned around and gave two thumbs-up to Finn as I couldn’t hide the smile spreading across my face, and whispered, “So freaking good. I think we’re getting under his skin. Have fun with your brothers.”
I tugged the door closed and jogged down the walkway to where Carl was holding the passenger door open for me.
“Sorry about that. He just can’t keep his hands to himself sometimes,” I said as I slipped into the car and reached for the buckle.
“I can see that.” He closed my door and was in the seat beside me quickly. I noticed the way his jaw clenched as he stared out the window at the road.
The drive to the restaurant was quiet, and I suddenly felt a little awkward. It had been a year since we’d spent any real time together. So much had changed, and I didn’t know how to feel about that. There was this nagging fear that we might not be able to get back to what we had before, and then what? I’d be single for the rest of my life and living in my best friend’s guest room?
Don’t overthink it.
You were engaged to this man.
You want to spend your life with him.
He surprised me when he pulled into the driveway of his house and came around to open my door.
“Oh. I thought you said that we were going to Reynolds’？”
“I just figured we’d have so many people in our business if we went there, and I ordered us takeout from your favorite Italian restaurant. It’ll be delivered in fifteen minutes.”
My heart squeezed at his words.
He remembered.
He’d made an effort for us to be alone because he missed me.
“The ravioli and the Caesar salad?” I asked.
“Of course. It’s what you always chose when it was your turn to pick.” He put the key in the door and pushed it open for me to walk in.
I sucked in a breath. I was supposed to be living here by now.
It looked exactly the same. Mid-century modern décor. I’d helped him decorate it when he’d bought the place, even though I found his style to be a bit cold for my liking. I’d planned to warm it up once I’d moved in.