Page 24 of Here & Now

He chuckled as she rattled off the list like a waitress. “Whatever you want is fine with me.”

“Okay.”

“Give me a few minutes to clean up, and then come on over. I’ll leave the front door unlocked so you can come in.”

“Should I bring anything else?”

His flirtatiousness kicked in. “Maybe a swimsuit so we can take a dip afterward.”

She sucked in a breath, and he almost regretted suggesting it.

“Or not. It’s up to you.” He didn’t wait to hear her answer. “See you soon.”

He stepped off the porch and crossed the driveway into his own yard. He didn’t look back until he heard her door close. Only then did he allow himself to smile.

He went inside and straight to the laundry room, where he stored his tool bag and scrubbed his hands in the sink. Then he went into the kitchen and took out the salad ingredients.

He had a good track record of getting women to say yes, but he was surprised she’d agreed to have dinner with him. As he was slicing a cucumber, he realized he hadn’t been this excited to have a woman over in a long time. Even Callie, who’d been a sure thing, hadn’t given him this kind of rush.

Don’t screw it up, he thought as he tossed the cucumber slices into a bowl. Bree was reluctant for a reason, and he had a feeling he’d only just tapped the surface with her. She might only be here for a short time, but he’d have to exercise caution, not only for her benefit, but his too.

“Knock, knock,” she called through the screen door.

“C’mon in. I’m in the kitchen.”

She entered with a smile and a bottle of wine. “How can I help?”

“You could pour us a glass while I finish the salad.”

“I can do that. Where are your wine glasses?”

“In the cupboard to the left of the fridge.”

He diced a tomato while listening to her as she moved around his kitchen.

“Corkscrew?”

“Top drawer next to the stove. Do you like onion in your salad?”

“I like onion, but it doesn’t always like me.”

He burst out laughing.

“Ohmigod. I can’t believe I just said that.”

“It’s okay. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m a pretty laid-back guy.”

“I’ve noticed.”

He glanced at her over his shoulder, but she was concentrating on pouring the wine. He finished tossing the salad and then put the bowl in the fridge. Picking up a glass of wine, he said, “How about a toast?”

“Okay.”

He raised his glass. “To new neighbors and warm Sanibel nights.”

She clinked her glass to his, and they both took a long drink.

“Let’s take these outside, and I’ll fire up the grill.”