A Guide to Being Just Friends(79)

“Of course. We don’t have to do anything fancy. I was actually hoping I could cook you dinner.”

“Will it be salad?”

She laughed, stood. Walking closer, she put a hand on his shoulder, leaned down, and brushed her lips across his. “I promise it won’t be. My place?”

He nodded. “Sounds perfect.”



* * *



Wes was surprised by the level of excitement he had as he waited outside Hailey’s apartment. They’d had a busy week and she’d gone to her cousin’s the last couple nights in a row to help with handmade Valentines all the kids were making for their classmates. It felt strange to miss her but he did. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get used to this restless rush of wanting that came along with Hailey but being with her soothed it to some degree.

She opened the door wearing a soft blue shirt with little silver heart buttons all the way from her cleavage to her waist. His mouth watered. She wore a pair of black pants and her bare feet showed pink toenail polish that he found incredibly sexy.

“Hey there, Valentine.”

He laughed, stepped into her, and caught her in a kiss he wanted to take deeper. Given that his hands were full and she hadn’t shut the door yet, he kept it brief.

“What did you bring?” She stared at the generic gift bag and the bottle of wine. “I told you I had everything.”

He shrugged, slipped off his shoes as she shut the door. “Never hurts to have extra wine and I brought you some treats from Tara’s. If you don’t want them, though?” He held up the bag.

She laughed, made a grab for it but he held it out of reach. “For after dinner.” He followed her into the kitchen, where something smelled amazing. He inhaled deeply. “What are we having?”

She walked to the stove, took the lid of the pot, and stirred. “I felt like Italian. Minestrone soup, lasagna, and homemade rolls.”

He tucked himself behind her after he set his things down on her tiny table. Wrapping his arms around her from behind, he pressed a kiss to her neck. How was this so easy? His whole life, he’d assumed this level of intimacy would be hard to achieve or would feel draining. Instead, it lifted him like a double shot of espresso. He felt like she was made for him. The transition from friends to lovers felt like it was a path they’d been meant to take.

She arched her neck, encouraging him to press his lips along the column of skin.

“I can’t decide what smells better. You or your cooking.”

She laughed, setting the lid back on, then turned in his arms. “You get to have both so you don’t have to choose.”

When he bent his head, she met him halfway. He loved when she arched up into him, like she couldn’t wait to be closer. When he pulled away, he ran a hand over her hair. “You look great.”

“So do you. Why don’t we have some wine? We can start with soup in about twenty minutes?”

He nodded, grabbed the glasses while she opened the wine. Following her into the living room, he was brought up short. He’d been so focused on her, he hadn’t noticed the setup. In the living area, she’d laid out a checkered blanket, set it with a bouquet of roses, linen napkins, cutlery, and pretty white dishes.

“I should have brought you flowers,” he said to her back.

She turned, wine in hand. “Why? I have some.”

He laughed but cursed himself in his own head. “I still should have brought you some. Hopefully, my gift will make up for it.”

She shook her head like he was talking nonsense. Lowering herself to the blanket, she stared up at him. “There’s nothing to make up for. You’re here. It’s all I wanted.”

He nodded, glad she felt that way but grabbed the bag he’d brought before sitting down with her.

“Does that mean you don’t want your present or the treats from Tara’s?”

They both set their wine on her coffee table. She scooted closer, hands out. “If it’s chocolate, you know I want it.”

He pulled out the little box of heart-shaped mini brownies Tara had made. Hailey’s gaze widened. “Yum. Those look delicious.”

He nodded, opened the box, fed one to her. When she moaned with pleasure, his stomach tightened, his skin heating. “I think I’m jealous of a brownie.”

She laughed, coming closer so she could cuddle up to him. “You’re just as delicious.” She pressed her mouth to his, giving him a taste of the chocolate. Her hands went to his chest but he didn’t want to rush. She made him so happy. He wanted to show her he could do the same.

“There’s more,” he said, pulling back.

Her hands moved lower. “I certainly hope so.”

Wes laughed. “Stop for a sec. I want to give you your present.”

She shifted, frowned at him. “If you insist.”

Wes pulled the gift-wrapped box from the bag he’d carried the brownies in, handed it to Hailey, his heart thumping way too fast.

She took the box, looked up at him through lowered lashes. “What is it?”

He laughed. “Why do people always ask that?”

One of her shoulders lifted but she hesitated, her hand on the bow. “I only made you dinner.”

Wes cupped her cheek. “It smells incredible. I’m going to want to give you things, Hailey. I wouldn’t do anything I didn’t want to. Please just enjoy it.”