Page 35 of Love Like Ours

“Very,” he said, his tone teasing as he slid the chopped tomatoes into a pan and set it on the stove. The sizzle and aroma of garlic hitting the hot oil filled the air.

He had her grab a bottle of wine from the fridge.

“Perfect pairing,” Palmer said, stirring the sauce. “Glasses are over there if you want to pour.”

“Got it.” She poured them each a glass, then took a sip. “This is turning into a proper date, you know.”

Palmer glanced at her, a soft grin on his face. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Not at all,” she said, her voice lighter now.

“Soon I’ll take you out on an official date,” he promised her. “When our schedules align.”

While the pasta boiled, they chatted, the easy rhythm of their conversation filling the gaps between the sounds of cooking. Loki had finished his dinner and sprawled out near the doorway, his tail wagging lazily as he watched them.

Once the food was ready, Palmer plated their meals and set them on the bar area. Sophia grabbed the glasses of wine and followed.

“It’s raining again,” she said as she sat down.

“It’s spring in Oregon. It’s always raining.”

“This looks incredible,” she said, twirling her fork through the pasta.

“Let’s see if it tastes as good as it looks,” Palmer said, sitting across from her.

She took a bite, her eyes widening. “Okay, this is amazing. You weren’t kidding about those fresh ingredients.”

Palmer laughed. “Glad you approve.”

As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly, the warmth between them growing with each passing moment. By the time their plates were empty, the bottle of wine was nearly gone.

Sophia leaned back in her chair, a contented smile on her face. “Well, you’ve officially set the bar pretty high for dinner dates.”

“Good,” Palmer said, gathering the plates. “That means you’ll have to come back for more.” He tapped his glass to hers.

“I have the party the day after tomorrow at my place,” she said with a sigh.

“Saturday?” he asked with a nod. “I’m still planning on lending a hand for setup. What time do you need me there?”

She thought for a moment. “As early as you want. The party starts at one.” She reached over and took his hand. “You know, maybe you and Loki can have a sleepover at my place next time?”

He smiled and knew without a doubt that he’d do everything in his power to make that happen.