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I whipped around, forcing him to stop or crash into me, and leveled him with a glare. “You don’t talk about her, got it?”

He held his hands up in surrender, still grinning like a jackass. “Yes sir. Not another word. Except—” I let out a groan as he laughed. “Except, that is, to say I’m really happy for you, brother.”

I was too. Happier than I had been in a really long time.

I just hoped it lasted.

NINETEEN

IRIS

North

Dinner tonight?

I let out a giddy squeal and jogged in place excitedly as I read the message over again. It had been two days since North’s campaign rally where, yes, I chased my mom down to keep her from eating half a pan of pot brownies. Even though we hadn’t been able to see each other in person didn’t mean we weren’t connecting.

We texted and talked regularly, usually starting with him wishing me a good day in the morning and ending with him telling me goodnight and he hoped I had sweet dreams. I was seeing a side of North Hastings I never knew existed. There was a softness to him that was both surprising and absolutely delightful, and the more I got to know him, the more I liked him.

I couldn’t wipe the goofy grin off my face as I typed back.

Me

Depends. Are you any good in the kitchen? Because I’m not to be messed with when I’m hungry. I can get violent.

I liked to think he was smiling too as he responded.

North

total shit in the kitchen, but I’m excellent at calling in an order for takeout. We could do pizza, Thai, Chinese, burgers, or tacos. Take your pick.

My stomach started to rumble just thinking about tonight. I was already excited for dinner, and I hadn’t even had breakfast yet.

Me

Yes.

North

To which?

Me

All of them. Any of them. Something to learn about me, I love food in general. All the food.

North

Noted. Have a good day at work, Little Flower. I’ll see you tonight.

Me

Can’t wait.

And I couldn’t. I felt like a kid waiting impatiently for Santa to come. I would have happily stayed on the phone with him all day long, like a high school girl with a crush on the hot senior in the cafeteria. Unfortunately, I had to play at being a responsible adult.

Tossing my phone into my purse, I headed down the stairs. Mom was already in the kitchen when I entered, skipping in my high heels.

“Morning, Mom,” I greeted as I moved to the coffee maker, pouring the necessary nectar into a travel mug.