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He cut another piece with his fork. “I’m glad you’re staying in
Southport,” he said. “I can easily imagine myself eating this
regularly, even if I have to barter items at my store to get it.”
“The recipe isn’t complicated.”
“You haven’t seen me cook. I’m great with kid food, but after that,
it starts going downhill fast.”
He reached for his glass and took a sip of wine. “I think the cheese
might go better with the red. Do you mind if I open the other
bottle?”
“Not at all.”
He walked over to the counter and opened the zinfandel while
Katie went to the cupboard and removed two more glasses. Alex
poured wine into each and handed one to her. They were standing
close enough to brush up against each other and Alex had to fight
the urge to pull her close and wrap his arms around her. Instead,
he cleared his throat.
“I want to tell you something, but I don’t want you to take it the
wrong way.”
She hesitated. “Why don’t I like the sound of this?”
“I just wanted to tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to
tonight. I mean… I’ve been thinking about it all week.”
“Why would I take that the wrong way?”
“I don’t know. Because you’re a woman? Because it makes me
sound desperate and women don’t like desperate men?”
For the first time that evening, she laughed easily. “I don’t think
you’re desperate. I get the sense you might be a bit overwhelmed
at times because of the business and the kids, but it’s not like
you’ve been calling me every day.”