Chapter 12
Arthur finished the last of the dishes, grateful that Maren and her mom let him cook them dinner on Maren’s first night home.
“Hey, Arthur,” Gretchen called as she peeked her head inside from the porch.
“What’s up?”
“I’m going to go see my friend down the street. Maren would like a glass of wine. Do you mind bringing her one?”
“Not at all,” he said.
“Jackie and I have lots to gossip about.” She waggled her finger. “So, I expect you to have some vino with my little one and enjoy the night.”
He laughed. “Yes, ma’am.” He snagged two glasses and a bottle before heading outside. “Hey, you.”
“Hey, yourself.” Maren leaned against the railing. “It’s a beautiful evening. Look at all the stars.”
“When I was a little boy, my dad used to take me out on the boat at night and we’d drop over a few lines. Then we’d lie back and count the stars in the sky. Sometimes we’d get so distracted by it that’d we’d lose a good fish.” He poured the wine, handing her a glass.
“Your dad sounds like quite the guy. I hope I get to meet him sometime.”
“He and my sister are coming next month for a week.” He took a long slow sip before setting his glass on the railing. “You gave me quite the scare.”
She set aside her glass and took his hand. “I guess I owe you once again for saving my life.”
“I might let you take me out to dinner this time.”
“Oh, really?”
He nodded. “Not sure I’ll let you pay, but you can pick the restaurant.” He lowered his gaze, taking in a long breath. “And I don’t want one dinner. Or even two. I want to toss in a few breakfasts and a romantic stroll on the beach.”
“Romantic?” she questioned. “Do you know what that word means?”
He chuckled. “I might have a basic understanding of the concept.”
“This I’d like to see.”
He swallowed. Time for all or nothing. “I don’t want you to go back to New York. I’ve gotten used to having you around.”
“Oh.” She smiled. “As in you want me to be a permanent fixture in your life?”
He traced her lower lip with his index finger. “I want to explore the possibility.”
“Wow,” she whispered. “Those are some big words for a man like you.”
“Too much, too quick?”
“No,” she said. “Crazy, but I want that too. However, let’s start with a couple of nice dinners.”
“Name the time and place.”
Her smile brightened the night sky and made his heart flutter with anticipation. “You’ll have to drive because all our family cars are toast and even though I’ve talked to my mom about what she wants, she’s a pain in the ass when it comes to buying one.”
He shook his head. “What is it with you and burning cars?”
The corners of her mouth tipped upward. “I just wanted to see a sexy firefighter in action.”
“You were unconscious.”
“But you did pull me from the wreckage.”
He nodded. “Though I would appreciate it if you never make me do that again.” He tapped his chest. “I don’t think my heart could take it.”
“I’ll try not to, but only on one condition.”
“Yeah, what’s that?”
“You kiss me right now, because I’ve had a burning desire to feel your lips on mine since the second my mom left.”